Creswick Band rotunda
Ballarat:
Ballarat has many beautiful buildings to visit such as The Ballarat Art Gallery, Her Majesty's Theatre (open for visits Mon-Fri Ph 5333 5800), the Town Hall , the Gold Museum and many fine homes in surrounding streets.
Places of interest include the Eureka Centre, Sovereign Hill, Ballarat Observatory, the Fine Art Gallery, the Wildlife park, plus the Botanical Gardens and Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial at Lake Wendouree
The Sunday market at the showgrounds has lots of bargains, fresh food and snacks.
For the craft shoppers!!: Gail's Patchwork Emporium,Sebastopol, (near Rivers factory outlet), Creswick Woollen Mill (Creswick), Ballarat Patchwork and of course, many local markets.
Daylesford:
Daylesford is beautiful, whatever the weather! Because of its European background, all the deciduous trees look stunning! The architecture has also been influenced by the early Swiss-Italian settlers.
Places to visit include Lake Daylesford, Jubilee Lake and the Wombat Hill gardens. Hepburn has the mineral spas and health treatments centre, currently under refurbishment. There are however, many day spas and health and beauty treatment centres in both Daylesford and Hepburn.
A visit to the Convent Gallery is worthwhile as is the new Mill Market with lots of indoor stalls and a cafe. The Chocolate Mill just out of town is renowned for fine Belgian chocolates, with demonstrations at 11:00 and 2:00.
Out of town places include Lavandula and Cricket Willow at Shepherds Flat.
The Sunday market at the old rail station is fun, and great for fresh produce. A ride on the vintage train through the Wombat sate forest is fun, departing regularly throughout the day.
The Silver Streak "Food and Wine Train" departs from the station at 5:30pm on the first Saturday of the month, returning by 7pm
There are also many fine restaurants and cafes throughout both Daylesford and Hepburn.
Numerous wineries in the area include: Ellender Estate, Big Shed, Zig Zag, Captain's Creek (organic wines and produce), Granite Hills, Barcaldine House, Sailors Falls Estate, Butlers Lane, Craiglee, Mt Beckworth, Eastern Peake and Curly Flat.
The first Saturday of the month sees the Farmer's Market in the grounds of the local primary school and the trash and treasure market every Sunday at the old railway station.
Creswick:
Creswick is still an unspoilt country town, but growing before our eyes! An evolving mix of shops, including our new Chocolate shop with handmade chocolates and chocolate drinks. Craft shops include the Elephant Patch, Cascade House and Twin Needles.
Places to visit include St Georges Lake, Calambeen Lake, Park Lake, Slatey Creek Reserve,old Koala Park and the forestry school is worth a walk or drive through.
The Museum is open weekends 11-3:30 or by appointment and is well worth a visit. Currently displaying the Sir Daryl and Lady Joan Lindsay Exhibition until 10th May.
Take a free tour of the Forest Resort Golf complex.
The Creswick Woollen Mill is open 7 days a week and often has special features and sales. A recent addition to this site is the "Timberbenders" re-located from Daylesford.
Just out of Creswick you can visit Misty Downs Nursey, Maze, cafe and mini golf, (Kingston) Lambley Gardens( Ascot) and Springmount pottery (Creswick).
Newlyn is on the Daylesford-Creswick road ( Midland Highway or A300) and has antique shops and nurseries to visit, including the developing Bells Water Gardens nursery and cafe. It is also home to the Hepburn lagoon Trail Rides.
Smeaton:
Anderson's Mill is open on the first Sunday afternoon of the month and is very interesting. It is possible to just have a walk around at other times and enjoy the creek and the picnic spot.
Tuki Trout farm and sheep grazing property is open for visitors most days with fresh produce available and a cafe for lunch and weekend dinner.
A drive around the area shows the results of gold prospecting in the mid 1800s and the notable volcanic cones which rated highly in the RACV's 101 places to visit in Victoria.
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