According to our latest Travel + Lifestyle Report, 64 per cent of Australians say their main motivation for travel is to relax.
And as lastminute lovely Nat and Nicola have shown, when it comes to chilling out, you can’t go past the spa and wellbeing experiences in Daylesford, just 90-minutes from Melbourne.
Down town
Here are our top 10 reasons why you should add a few days in Daylesford to your next Melbourne trip:
1. Lavandula: Lavandula can be found 10 minutes north of Daylesford. You’ll find restored 19th century farm houses, lavender fields, olive & chestnut groves and vineyards.
Lavandula
The best part? Grab a picnic within the beautiful grounds, play boules on the lush grass, indulge with a home wares purchase at the Barn or enjoy a delicious bite to eat at the La Trattoria café.
2. Rest your head: When it comes to Daylesford accommodation, there’s plenty of options to suit everyone. Hotel Frangos is our pick 😉
Rose Room at Hotel Frangos
The Victorian style building boasts individually themed rooms with each as vibrant and eclectic as the next. Be sure to check out café KouKla downstairs for a great coffee.
3. Soak your troubles away: Daylesford and the surrounding regions is home to more than 60 mineral springs; one of the first things that attracted the Swiss Italian migrants to the area. Like the early settlers, if you believe in the health benefits of the springs or you’re looking to simply unwind, you have to visit the Mineral Spa at Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat.
Plunge pool at Peppers – bliss!
Start off with a dip in the 37-degree mineral water plunge pool then step into the stone bath sauna perfumed with essential oils. Move on to a body wrap as you experience the only soft-pak float beds in the Southern Hemisphere.
4. Shop till you drop: A trip to Daylesford isn’t complete without strolling through unique shops.
Down town Daylesford
From antiques to second hand books, quaint home wares to stunning artworks, you’ll find yourself wandering for hours – and at the end, no doubt longing for another coffee which you can find everywhere- and it’s so good!
5. Wombat Hill: Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens is situated on an ancient extinct volcano high above the village of Daylesford and is renowned as one of Victoria’s finest regional destination gardens. Pop into Wombat Hill House, grab a picnic hamper complete with wine and cheese and take your goodies out to the gardens to enjoy.
Rainbow beverages at Wombat House
Alla Wolf-Tasker and the team serve up healthy, delicious food, sourced locally – the chefs literally wander out the back of the cafe to pick vegies and herbs from the garden!
6. Choose art: Whether you’re the arty type or not, there’s beauty to be found inside and around the charming Dayleford’s Convent Gallery.
Convent Gallery
This 19th Century Victorian mansion is home to seven galleries featuring work by over 100 local, national and international artists. The exhibition program changes every eight weeks so you’ll no doubt catch something fresh and impressive. Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore the six acres of stunning grounds surrounding the Gallery itself and to top off the experience, enjoy a drink and an arty debrief at the stylish lounge bar open late on Friday and Saturday nights.
7.Feed your soul: “Paddock to plate” is a way of life in Daylesford with the community sharing in a love for fresh, seasonal produce. Obey your appetite and fill your belly to the brim with the many local delights on offer at the restaurants in Daylesford and surrounding regions.
Delicious Daylesford
A hot tip is to check out Kazuki’s ; an amazing Japanese fine dining experience with food to die for. Zoom Argus Dining Room to the top of your dining bucket list as well. Their produce is grown on their farm located 20kms away so the food is always ultra fresh. Read Nat’s blog on Daylesford’s delish foodie places.
8. Markets: The Mill Markets, Australia’s largest indoor market of antiques and collectables, is a must do for any visitor to Daylesford. Inside you’ll find 140 stallholders and a treasure chest of antiques, clothes, furniture, art and books. If you prefer markets of the farmers variety, the Daylesford Sunday market will have you up bright and early and drooling over fresh produce and locally made goodies, not to mention the odd woolly knit or bric-a-brac find.
Salus Spa Lake House
9. Put your feet up: More pampering you say? Yes please! Daylesford and the surrounding regions are at the heart of Victoria’s spa country so it would be rude not to soak up a healthy dose of rejuvenation while there. Check out the state-of-the-art Salus Spa located within the grounds of Lake House, overlooking Lake Daylesford.
Start with a relaxing soak in a treetop spa, overlooking the lake, before succumbing to a rhythmic hot-stone massage and body exfoliation.
10. Go for a stroll: Daylesford’s massive network of well mapped walking trails mean you don’t have to feel guilty about leaving the gym at home.
Go for a stroll..
Explore rugged river gorges and volcanic craters. Run through blankets of wildflowers or sit beside a peaceful lake. Admire panoramic views from towering peaks and of course dramatic rock formations like the famed Hanging Rock. Whatever path you take, you’re sure to have an adventure to remember.
So there you have it- Daylesford is the place for a relaxing escape.
Have you been? Share your experience in the comments.