Three decades ago, Daylesford was a quiet country town in regional Victoria, best known for producing its high-quality potatoes.
Today, Daylesford and the neighbouring Macedon Ranges wine region are gourmet getaways alive with top-notch restaurants, vibrant country pubs, wine bars and boutique accommodation.
The area is all about rest and rejuvenation, known for its natural spring mineral spas. In fact, it is home to 80 per cent of Australia’s effervescent mineral water reserves. Standouts include the Mineral Spa at Peppers Springs Retreat and Salus Spa.
Best hotels in Daylesford
The Lake House
The Lake House is one of Australia’s best boutique country hotels. It first opened its doors in 1984, when the late artist and builder Allan Wolf-Tasker and his chef wife, Alla Wolf-Tasker, made it their mission to transform a blackberry-infested paddock into a top tourism destination.
Today, The Lake House boasts 33 studios and suites on the banks of Lake Daylesford. Guests can enjoy 6 acres of country gardens, waterfront terraces, a tennis court, a library, an infinity pool, and a spa.
However, what really sets this four-star hotel apart is the restaurant. Here, the food is the star of the show. The menu celebrates top local ingredients, taking inspiration from the hotel’s regenerative farm. The team grows their own vegetables, herbs, olives, honey and fruit, serving show-stopping seasonal meals while guests soak in views of the lake. Think butter poached pheasant with chestnuts, or a truffled Pecorino tart with artichokes and Murray Cod.
Clifftop at Hepburn
Clifftop at Hepburn is the best of self-contained accomodation. There are six luxury villas to choose from, each with unique offerings. The Clifftop Villa blends industrial designs with indulgent furnishings. Guests can look out over deep ravines and fields from the comfort of a hanging daybed. Or, stay in the Solitude Villa for glass falls with waterfall views, infinity daybeds overhanging the vibrant landscape, chromotherapy showers and a wooden bath.
Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa & Wellness Retreat
If you’re after a unique experience, this award-winning establishment in Hepburn Springs could be just what you need. Guests are encouraged to stay in a traditional Japanese room, featuring eight tatami matted futons, an engawa alcove and a courtyard garden. The property also features a relaxing spa with personalised treatments, and a restaurant serving traditional Japanese cuisine.
Hepburn at Hepburn
This peaceful sanctuary offers spacious one-bedroom spa villas with all the luxury amenities you could want. Each villa has a king-sized bed, spa bath, gas fireplace, free wi-fi and plenty of indulgent treats, including local chocolate. Located directly opposite the renowned Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, massages and wellness packages are literally on your doorstep.
The Dudley Boutique Hotel
Another popular luxury accommodation choice, The Dudley Boutique Hotel was built in the 1930s. Since then, it has undergone several renovations to ensure it remains refined, relaxed and ready for a 21st-century guest list. It is perhaps most sought after for the delicious breakfast, an elevated dining experience with silver service and the best seasonal produce. Choose to stay inside the hotel, or in your own spa studio, which features a private balcony, a gas fireplace, silk bathrobes, electric blankets and more.
Top restaurants in region
Passing Clouds Winery
Since 1974, Passing Clouds has produced incredible cool climate wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz. Its stellar drops can be enjoyed at the cellar door, or alongside a charcoal-fired lunch in the dining room, where food is served La Famiglia style. Choose between a three-course shared lunch or a la carte offerings. Every dish is cooked over charcoal and designed for sharing with loved ones. Wine lovers can choose to elevate their meals with a guided tasting of the estate and heritage releases or matched wine pairings.
Boathouse Restaurant @ Lake Daylesford
Delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner choices are served at this restaurant overlooking Lake Daylesford. The relaxed, professional service makes for a great environment to enjoy a glass of wine and beautiful year-round views. For an elevated dining experience, choose to indulge with a two, three or four-course menu.
Koukla Daylesford Café
Located on Vincent Street, this café is known for its friendly atmosphere and excellent casual dining. Tuck into a perfectly-cooked steak or wood-fired pizza, and warm yourself by the open fireplace during the colder months. The cafe is decorated with lush ornamental vines and an internal mural.
Cliffy’s Emporium Daylesford
Known as one of the region’s best cafés, it’s not uncommon for locals to stop in here multiple times a day. Cliffy’s serves exceptional coffee and local produce, including cheese, meat, eggs, and honey. Breakfast and lunch are served alongside housemade cakes and biscuits throughout the day. Pull up a stool at one of the original long timber counters from the 1950s, or soak up the sun on the verandah. Cliffy’s is bursting with character, with old signs in the windows, wooden floors, and corrugated iron finishings.
Bars and cafes in Daylesford
Daylesford Hotel
Right in the centre of town, the Daylesford Hotel is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. For a casual meal with friends, head to the Public Bar. It’s perfect for a pint after work, or a hearty pub meal. Dishes can be enjoyed in the spacious beer garden. For a more refined meal, the bistro is all about soft lighting in an intimate setting, ideal for a date night or special occasion.
Granite Hills
Located atop the stunning boulder-strewn hills of the Great Dividing Range, Granite Hills Winery has won over 500 awards in Australian and international competitions. They produce a variety of stellar wines, such as a 2017 tempranillo, 2013 shiraz, 2015 late harvest riesling, and plenty of other drops that utilise traditional winemaking techniques. At the cellar door, guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic to enjoy with a bottle of wine in the vineyard. The knowledgeable staff are also happy to take you through a free tasting of the extensive wine range.
Holgate Brewhouse
Housed in a 19th-century red brick hotel, Holgate Brewhouse offers tasting paddles of classic beers using just four ingredients – malt, hops, yeast and Macedon Ranges water. The taproom and visitor centre also offers 16 taps of limited release beers, a bottleshop, a brewery experience and a function space. Each weekend, brewery tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the beer-making process.
Daylesford Cider Co
Daylesford Cider Co produces traditional cider made with heritage cider apples grown organically on site. At the tasting room, visitors can sample the award-winning range of ciders, paired with a delicious lunch menu. Standout drinks include the spiced cider, award-winning Session cider, and apple mango cider.
Herbal Lore Liqueurs
Housed in the old Daylesford Butter Factory, Herbal Lore Liquers create delicious liquers inspired by local herbs and distilled with ancient botanicals. Reflections is a mix of fourteen herbs, with spearmint standing out on the palate, and is best enjoyed as a dessert liqueur. The dominant herb in Mirus is calendula, best experienced as an unaccompanied aperitif.
To read more about Victoria’s best hotels and restaurants, click here.
Travel to Daylesford
You can travel to Melbourne with Rex Airlines, and it’s less than an hour to Daylesford. Book your flight here.
