Things to do in Daylesford
What to do? …So much to do.
Daylesford is known for its relaxing spas, mineral springs, galleries, delicious food and beautiful countryside. Just over an hour from Melbourne, Daylesford is the perfect place for a quick getaway… or a staycation!
We live and work in Daylesford. We love Daylesford and all that it has to offer.
See our list of Best Things to Do in Daylesford.
The Convent Daylesford
First on your list of Things to do in Daylesford is to visit the Convent Gallery.
“Oh my lord. Well worth the stop for at least half a day…”
Google review, Bindi P
“A DEFINITE MUST to visit in Daylesford. Such an interesting place filled with varying artwork, steeped in history and a beautiful café to finish off the visit…”
Google review, Anita S
“Extraordinary building set in fabulous garden… A must do… best thing in Daylesford.”
Google review, Carolyn Bate
Lake Daylesford
Every visit to Daylesford must include a visit to Lake Daylesford.
The ‘Peace Mile’ walking track skirts the perimeter of the lake – an easy 2.9km walk, taking approx. 30 minutes. Keep your eyes open, you may see an echidna, turtles, wallabies, even ducklings!
Lake Daylesford is also a popular fishing spot with picnic/BBQ facilities and a playground for the little ones. Many great hiking tracks also start from the carpark!
Jubilee Lake
Jubilee Lake, the “other” lake, is a hidden treasure!
Located off Lake Road, Jubilee Lake is a popular spot for camping, boating, picnicking and swimming. Fishing in the lake can see rainbow trout, redfin and trench being caught. There is a mineral spring, BBQ facilities, canoe hire, a large playground for children and a walking track which leads around the lake. The Jubilee Lake Circuit Walk is an easy 1.8km walk, taking approx. 40 minutes. Keep your eyes out for the resident peacocks.
PS on your way to Jubilee Lake be sure to stop and buy some O’Tooles Honey!
Hiking
The Hepburn Regional Park is a natural treasure, rich with mineral springs, relics for the gold mining era and of course lots of native birds and animals. There are so many hiking tracks to choose from.
Tipperary Walking Track
‘The Tipperary Walking Track explores Hepburn Regional Park from Lake Daylesford to Hepburn Springs. It is an easy and well-signposted course. It is 16km track, taking approx. 5-6 hours.
It can however be broken into shorter sections:
Lake Daylesford to Twin Bridges Loop. A 2.6km track, taking 40 mins
Lake Daylesford to Tipperary Springs Loop A 7.6km track, taking 2 hours.
Taste the Mineral Water!
Daylesford and Hepburn Springs is the Spa Capital of Australia having the highest concentration of natural mineral springs. People have been ‘taking the waters’ here since 1895.
Visit Central Springs Reserve and/or Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve. A fun walk that allows you to visit different mineral springs and taste different mineral waters. Sample the water straight out of the pump or bring a bottle to take home. Both reserves have BBQ facilities, picnic area, toilets and a playground.
Wombat Hill Gardens
The Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens and The Convent share the same extinct volcano!
You can enter the gardens from The Convent gardens or jump in the car and drive around the block to get there. It is quite an enchanting place.
If by car, drive along the scenic route before stopping in the top carpark to explore! The gardens include oaks, ash, elms, poplars, cypresses all planted in the 1860s; conifers donated by Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller who was the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens; a magical fernery; a begonia display; a lookout tower with views across the town and surrounding district; and some excellent picnic areas.
Spa & Massage
Daylesford is the ultimate place to pamper yourself. With so many natural therapy businesses in town, offering a variety of massage and spa treatments, you are guaranteed to leave relaxed and rejuvenated!
The historic Hepburn Springs Bathhouse is famous for its natural, therapeutic mineral waters.
Choose from communal bathing in the relaxing mineral waters or salt therapy pool or enjoy private bathing and a choice of massage, manicures and pedicures.
Those wishing for a relaxing or therapeutic massage or beauty treatment can also try the many other high quality day spas in Daylesford & Hepburn Springs:
https://www.peppers.com.au/springs/features/day-spa/
Daylesford Historic Railway Station
Restored heritage trains “take you for a ride” through the beautiful scenic countryside and forest of the Central Highlands. Popular with families, friends and railway buffs, the train rides start from the 1882 heritage listed railway station in Daylesford every Sunday.
Every other day… you can visit the Railway Station and walk along the rails and admire the old trains.
http://www.dscr.com.au/
The Daylesford Sunday Market also operates every Sunday from 8am to 3pm rain, hail or shine at the Daylesford Railway Station.
Wine Tasting
There are a number of wineries, breweries, cideries… in and around Daylesford. The best way to enjoy them all, is to take the hassle away from finding them and booking a tour with Daylesford Wine Tours.
Daylesford Wine Tours
Join guide Clay Watson (and his Labrador Maizy) for an experience that takes you the best wine, cider, beer, spirits, ports & liqueurs spots in Daylesford.
Chasing Waterfalls
Sailors Falls
Visit Sailors Falls on your way in (or out) Daylesford on the Daylesford-Ballan Road. Located in the Hepburn Regional Park, an area that was once mined for gold, Sailor’s Falls cascade 25m down a steep gorge into a fern-lined creek. You can admire the falls from the top or head down an enjoy them from the lush green ferns. .
Trentham Falls
Trentham Falls is the highest single drop waterfall in Victoria, plunging more than 32 metres down a basalt cliff. It is most impressive in winter after a few rainy days. The falls are located just under 20 minutes from Daylesford.
Horse Riding
Discover the great outdoors on horseback! Horse riding is a fun activity for couples and families. Two great options are available: The Boomerang Holiday Ranch and Hepburn Lagoon Trail Rides – both family owned and operated businesses.
The trail rides take you through beautiful bushland. Trail rides cater for the absolute beginner through to the more experienced rider. A horse is chosen for your skill level to ensure a safe fun horse riding experience.
Fishing
Fishing in the Daylesford area is very popular with many different waterways to cast a line in. The main fish caught in the area are rainbow & brown trout, redfin, tench and golden perch. Popular places to fish include: Lake Daylesford, Jubilee Lake, Wombat Reservoir and Hepburn Lagoon
Map of fishing spot around Daylesford.
Tuki Trout Farm
With dams stocked with trout, you are guaranteed to catch a fish or two! Your catch can be your lunch or you can take it home.
Mount Franklin
11 km from Daylesford you will find Mount Franklin, the other extinct volcano! Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the countryside as you drive to the summit. Peaceful picnic grounds rest within the scenic crater and there is a scenic walking track along the rim of the crater. Free camping also available!
Chocolate Mill
Just past Mount Franklin, you will find the Chocolate Mill, a quaint straw bale building nestled in the forest. There you can watch chocolatiers at work, indulge in a rich hot chocolate in the gardens and of course buy some yummy chocolates.
Mill Market
Treasure hunters have the opportunity to spend hours browsing the Daylesford Mill Market with a huge mix of collectables, home décor, vintage, antiques, industrial items and everything in-between.
Open 7 days a week, 10am to 6pm… the Mill Market is a good place to enjoy a trip down memory lane!
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm
Once farmed by Swiss-Italians who came to Australia in the 1850’s looking for new opportunities. Today the property is filled with European-styled gardens (rows and rows of lavender) historic stone buildings and farm animals. Best visited when the lavender is in full bloom from early November through January. Located just 15 minutes from Daylesford.
Best things in Daylesford.
Need a second opinion?
The Common Wanderer’s blog has 16 fabulous things to do in Daylesford.
Travel guides at Sitchu have done all your research… see their blog Where to Eat, Drink, Sleep & Explore whilst in Daylesford
Phone +613 5348 3211
info@theconvent.com.au
7 Daly Street Daylesford 3460
Victoria Australia
Thursday to Monday 10am-4pm
(Closed Tuesday & Wednesday)
Gallery admission:
Adult: $10, Concession: $8,
Kids U12: $5, Kids U5: free.
The Convent acknowledges the traditional owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung people, on whose land we meet, share & work.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present & emerging.