About Daylesford
With its bustling main thoroughfare, Vincent Street, full of eclectic shops, you'll find everything here from organic vegetables to antiques and art galleries as well as lots of foodie places to eat. Daylesford's twin spa village is Hepburn Springs. This serene little village is famous for the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, and iconic Mineral Springs reserve. More than 80% of the natural-occurring mineral springs in Australia are concentrated here which makes "taking the waters" from any of the 72 health giving springs, Hepburn Bathhouse or the many Spa's a bountiful experience.
The tour is themed on History/Heritage, Food/Wine and Wild nature. This sightseeing Eco tour lets you discover the iconic & natural attractions of Daylesford,
Castlemaine and Maldon.
Set on the fringes of the Hepburn Regional Park, Daylesford was founded on gold diggings. By 1859 gold had lured more that 3,000 hopeful prospectors to the area including Swiss-Italians from Northern Italy and the Swiss canton of Ticino. The Swiss-Italians realised the value of the health-giving mineral springs in the area and began bottling the water, and by 1865 ensured the springs were protected from gold mining. Castlemaine is a town delighted by grand buildings, wide boulevards and stunning gardens, all reflecting the prosperity and grandeur of the gold rush.
This grandeur compliments modern day Castlemaine, where you can find a relaxed cafe', funky boutiques and a vibrant arts scene. Gold history was made on the Mount Alexander diggings;, an area that now forms part of the Castlemaine Diggings Heritage National Park - Australia's first National Heritage park.
Maldon is undoubtedly the best preserved of Victoria's gold mining towns. The 19th century streetscape features old weatherboard homes, solid stone buildings and charming old shopfronts.
Highlights
Meal: Morning tea is included, Lunch is at own expense.
Departure: Departures from Melbourne, Ballarat
Morning tea is included, Lunch is at own expense.
Departures from Melbourne, Ballarat