Mount Macedon

Mount Macedon Vic 3441 (Pop 2 000)

Mount Macedon is a pretty Spa Country township located 65 km n-w of Melbourne. It sits on the mountain of the same name, an extinct volcano (1 010 m) and there is also a small township called Macedon at the foot of the mountains. Originally inhabited by the Woiwurrung Aborigines, European settlement began in 1850s with timbergetters, followed by wealthy holidaying Melburnians in 1870s attracted by the cooler weather at 620 m. The area is renowned for its many magnificent 19^th century homes and exotic ornamental gardens.  Sadly a major part of the area was destroyed in 1983 by the Ash Wednesday fires including 30 000 ha of forests and farming lands, however much has been rebuilt and replanted.

Nearby:
Marist Brothers Retreat and Conference Centre (2 km south) includes the main building ‘Drusilla’ (1930s), an ornamental lake and sunken gardens. Gardens open weekdays. Tel (03) 5426 1402. Barringo Wildlife Reserve (6 km s-e) beautiful nature reserve with deer, emus, alpacas, kangaroos and koalas. Open (9.30am-5.30pm) daily. Gardens. Consult the Visitors Centre for visiting details. Macedon Regional Park (surrounding town) includes Camel's Hump (5 km n-w) an isolated lava mass sitting at 1 010 m and popular with abseilers, several picnic areas (McGregor, Cameron, Harrison), lookouts (Western, Eastern, Major Mitchell with views over Port Phillip Bay, the You Yangs and the Dandenongs) and the Memorial Cross,  a 21 metre WWI memorial cairn. The park is home to many flora varieties, with a prolific birdlife, wallabies and wombats. Hanging Rock Reserve (10 km north) steeply sided volcano rising 105 m with huge flora & fauna reserve including koalas, kangaroos & echidnas and over 40 bird species. Open (8am-6pm) daily.

Accommodation:
Mount Macedon has a couple of hotels, 2 B&Bs, holiday cottages and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: High St, Woodend. Tel (03) 5427 2033 or 1800 244 711.