Daylesford

Daylesford Vic 3460 (Pop 3 500)
Pic: by Graham Manning

Daylesford is an attractive historic resort town renowned for its nearby natural mineral springs. Located 114 km n-w of Melbourne, the ‘Spa Centre of Australia’ straddles a high ridge and is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and lush forests. Settled in 1840s, many Italians and Swiss were drawn to the area after gold was discovered nearby. The discovery of many mineral springs followed with currently 72 documented. Thousands visit annually for the healing and rejuvenating properties in the water. Daylesford itself is full of historic Victorian buildings, beautiful mansions, boutique style accommodation and interesting shops & galleries. Daylesford markets each Sun am. Steam Rally (Easter), Hepburn Swiss-Italian Festa (May), Highland Gathering (Dec).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historical Museum, Vincent St housed within the School of Mines (1890) with excellent pioneering displays, photographs and Aboriginal artifacts. Open (1.30pm-4.30pm) weekends/ holidays. Historic Daylesford includes St Peter’s Catholic Church (1863), Court House (1863), Post Office (1867), old primary school (1874), Town Hall (1882). Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, off Central Springs Rd stand high above town on an extinct volcano. Central Springs Spa Reserve, Fulcher St with several mineral springs, scenic walks and picnic areas near Lake Daylesford. Lake Daylesford, Bleakley St boating, picnicking and walking trails including Tipperary Walking Track a 16.7 km. Jubilee Lake, (Jubilee Lakes Rd) man-made lake (1860s) used for the goldfields. Popular for watersports & recreational activities.  

Nearby:
Waterfalls include Sailor’s Falls (5 km south), Lodden Falls (10 km n-e), Trentham Falls (21 km s-e). Blampied (11 km s-e) historic town with Victoria’s oldest continually licensed hotel (1860) and a small bluestone Catholic church. Eganstown (7 km west) old mining village with historic St Francis Xavier Catholic Church (1865) and nearby cemetery containing the grave of the town’s founder, John Egan. Mt Franklin Recreation Reserve (10 km north) pretty leisure area located on an extinct volcano. Breakneck Gorge (5 km north) interesting historic goldming site. Glenlyon (8 km n-e) hosts a popular Sports Day each NY’s Day and Fine Food & Wine Fayre (July). Yandoit (18 km n-w) historic Swiss-Italian community.

Accommodation:
Daylesford has 3 motels, 4 hotels, four B&Bs, several holiday cottages/cabins and a couple of caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Vincent St. Tel (03) 5348 1339.