Next Trip:
SUNDAY 21 September 2025
Entry fees to attractions (if any) are not included.
Daylesford is a spa town located in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, approximately 108 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. First established in 1852 as a gold-mining town, today Daylesford has a population of 2,548. As one of Australia’s few spa towns, Daylesford is a notable tourist destination. The town’s numerous spas, restaurants and galleries are popular alongside the many gardens and country-house-conversion styled bed and breakfasts.
Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens have long held a special place in the hearts of Daylesford locals and visitors alike. Set atop Wombat Hill, the summit of an extinct volcano rising nearly 700 metres above sea level, the gardens span 10 hectares of lovingly maintained landscape.
In spring, the lawns beneath towering cedars and elms burst into bloom with carpets of bluebells, while the glasshouse showcases a prized begonia collection, flowering in late summer and autumn. Just steps away, the Wombat Hill House Café, housed in a charming 1940s cottage and a sibling to the renowned Lake House, offers a warm welcome with fine tea, coffee, and light meals.
Crowning the gardens is the Lookout Tower, a striking 1930s concrete structure that rises above the treetops, offering breathtaking views across the forested hills and the township of Daylesford below.
Lake Daylesford is the beating heart of the township—a tranquil haven just moments from the town centre, where locals and visitors alike come to relax, explore, and reconnect with nature. Whether you're seeking quiet reflection or family fun, the lake offers something for everyone.
Children delight in birdwatching, spotting the resident ducks, and playing at the waterside playground. In the warmer months, a small beach area invites gentle paddling and sun-soaked picnics.
For those who love a scenic stroll, the Peace Mile Walk encircles the lake with a 2.8-kilometre compacted gravel track, taking around 40 minutes to complete. To extend your adventure, follow the Goldfields Track from Lake Daylesford to Twin Bridges, tracing the signs from the spillway through Central Springs Reserve and along the peaceful banks of Wombat Creek.
And no visit is complete without sampling the region’s famed mineral waters—taste the refreshing flow at Wombat Flat Mineral Spring and Central Springs Reserve, where nature’s bounty bubbles up from the earth.
SPA COUNTRY RAILWAY. Every Sunday, the heritage railway comes to life with five return journeys to Bullarto and one to Musk, offering visitors a charming ride through the scenic countryside. These regular services are a beloved tradition, connecting passengers with the region’s natural beauty and nostalgic charm.
Adding to the lively atmosphere, the railway also hosts the iconic Daylesford Sunday Market right within the station grounds. A fixture since the early 1980s, the market has become an integral part of the railway’s story—drawing locals and visitors alike with its vibrant mix of stalls, produce, crafts, and community spirit.
Links to places of interest: Daylesford Sunday market, Historic Spa Country Railway, The Amazing Mill Markets,
The Convent Gallery & Cafe, Central Springs Reserve, Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve,
Pickup Locations
9:00am 1st Pickup -ST KILDA-bus stop at the back of McDonald's St Kilda on Ackland St (carpark side)
9:15am 2nd Pickup -PORT MELB - Bay St cnr Liardet St, Bus stop in front of Coles supermarket.
9:35am 3rd Pickup - FEDERATION SQUARE - Cnr Flinders & Russell Streets Bus pickup zone.
9:45am 4th Pickup- bus stop at 361 QUEEN Street cnr A'Beckett St (Queen Victoria Market end)
9:55am 5th Pickup -FOOTSCRAY STATION South entrance Cnr Hyde & Bunbury Streets.
Shuttle bus leaves Daylesford back to Melbourne at 3:30pm. (Approx).
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