A fountain near the main street in Daylesford

Daylesford (and Blampied)
Pleasant historic town famed for its mineral waters.
Daylesford, the home of distinguished cartoonist Michael Leunig, is a resort town situated on a ridge which is over 600 metres above sea-level. It is located 111 km north-west of Melbourne and 45 km north-east of Ballarat. The mountain scenery, forestry and recreation areas contribute to the town's relaxing air. At the peak of Daylesford's formative goldrush there were many Italians and Swiss living here and their influence on the gardens and architecture has been profound; bestowing upon the town a European feel.

Daylesford is located atop rock strata and volcanic basins. Waters trapped in these basins have slowly leached minerals from 450-million-year-old rocks: minerals which are believed to have a curative effect and which are now the basis of the town's existence. In conjunction with the adjacent town of Hepburn Springs, with which it is closely interconnected by urban sprawl (combined population: 5500), Daylesford is known as the 'Spa Centre of Australia' with 50 per cent of the country's known and active mineral water outlets and another 30 per cent located nearby.

Prior to European settlement the area is thought to have been occupied by the Djadja Wurrung Aborigines. The first European settler in the area (1838) was Captain John Hepburn. In 1848, Irish immgrant John Egan took up land on the future townsite (then known as 'Wombat Flat'). He and a party of searchers found alluvial gold in 1851 on ground now covered by Lake Daylesford, thereby initiating the local goldrush. Other finds quickly followed. Two or three hundred diggers were reported in the area in 1852. A townsite was surveyed in 1854. Initially called Wombat, it was soon renamed by Sir Charles Hotham after the English birthplace of Warren Hastings, the first governor-general of India.

In 1859 about 3400 diggers were on the local diggings, 800 of whom were Chinese. They preferred alluvial workings, planted extensive market gardens and had their own village with a Joss House and store. Daylesford was declared a municipality in 1859 and a borough in the early 1860s. A flour mill was opened in 1863, reflecting the emergence of local agriculture.

Novelist Joseph Furphy worked as a threshing-machine operator in the district in the 1860s. He was married at Daylesford in 1867 and took over the lease on a small local farm and vineyard belonging to his mother-in-law.

By the 1860s the alluvial gold was exhausted and a shift to quartz reef mining began. This continued, on-and-off, into the 1930s. However, the town is best-known for the odourless, effervescent mineral water which emanates from its many springs (hand pumps and continuous-flow pipes dispense the water free of charge) and Daylesford became a fashionable spa resort, particularly when the railway arrived in 1881. The resort fell out of favour in the Great Depression. However, since the early 1980s interest in the local waters has revived and the town's fortunes have been rejuvenated. Thousands of people from a great range of social backgrounds now visit the area each year.

In conjunction with the springs and spas there are innumerable businesses and individuals offering a number of 'alternative' services, including every kind of massage known to humanity, as well as reiki, shiatsu, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology, spiritual healing, tarot and psychic readings etc. They are listed in a brochure available from the Daylesford Visitors' Centre.

For a list of local festivals and events see entry on Hepburn Springs.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information, Post Office and Town Hall
The Dayleford Regional Visitor Information Centre is located two doors down from the post office at 98 Vincent St, Daylesford, and is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 5348 1339.

The post office, at the corner of Vincent Rd and Central Springs Rd, was built in 1867 to an Italianate design with a tower and balustraded parapet. On the other side of Central Springs Rd is the town hall (1882) which has been kept in fine condition.

Museum and Primary School
Just down the road, at 100 Vincent St, is the Daylesford Historical Society Museum which is considered one of Victoria's better pioneer museums. It is located in the old School of Mines which was built in 1890 as a venue for developing deep-lead mining skills. Displays include photographs, clothing, Aboriginal artefacts and items related to local sawmilling, agriculture and goldmining. It is open weekends, school and public holidays from 1:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment, tel: (03) 5348 1453.

Next door to the museum is the old primary school (1874).

Alpha Hall
Alpha Hall Galleria, at 63-65 Vincent St, was Daylesford's first movie theatre (c.1914) and reputedly the first in Victoria outside of Melbourne. It is now a furniture gallery with a cafe, tel: (03) 5348 3761.

Other Historic Buildings
At the corner of Central Springs Rd and Duke St is St Peter's Catholic Church (1863). Christ Church (1863), the town's Anglican Church, is located a little further west on Central Springs Rd. The small but elegant and excellently maintained Classical Revival courthouse (1863) is next to the police station in Camp St.

Convent Gallery
High on Wombat Hill (in Daly St) is one of the town's more popular attractions, the fine Convent Gallery, located in the former convent of the Presentation Sisters (1892). One of the sisters' cells, with its stained-glass windows and fine views, has been preserved. It is now a combined gallery and Mediterranean-style restaurant.

Cockatoo Zoo
Cockatoo Zoo is a consortium of artists and designers who create functional but interesting objects such as sculpture, furniture, fountains, steel art and paintings for homes, corporate clients, the government, architects, interior designers and the general public. The showroom is open by appointment at Factory 1, Industrial Estate, tel: (03) 5348 3644.

Don Wreford Hot Glass Studio
Located at 39 Albert St, this studio has blown and hot-formed individual glass pieces, tel: (03) 5348 1012.

Botanical Gardens
The outstanding Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens (established in 1863) are situated atop an extinct volcano high above town, just off Central Springs Rd. There are some enormous and rare trees, a fernery, a begonia display in February-March, a lookout tower, some fine picnic areas and a kiosk. Of interest are the monkey puzzle tree, a German horse-drawn mortar from World War I and the begonia display in the Conservatory. A map of the gardens is available from the town's information centre.

Central Springs Spa Reserve
Central Springs Spa Reserve is located at the southern end of Fulcher St, adjacent Lake Daylesford. There are four mineral springs, walks, picnic areas and many shady nooks adjacent Lake Daylesford.

Pleasure craft moored near the Boathouse Cafe on Lake Daylesford

Lake Daylesford
Lake Daylesford, bisected by Bleakley St, covers the land upon which gold was found in 1851. The Wombat Flat Diggings became the site of a Chinese market garden and joss house when the alluvial gold ran out. This was maintained until 1929 when the lake was created.

Today it is a popular fishing spot with picnic-barbecue facilities. The peace mile walking track starts from the main carpark and entails a circuit of the lake. Rowboats, aquabikes, paddleboats, canoes and surf skis can be hired on the foreshore and there is also a large second-hand book barn nearby.

Tipperary Walking Track
The Tipperary Walking Track explores Hepburn Regional Park. It is quite an easy and well-signposted course. 16.7 km in all, it can be broken into shorter sections. From the outlet of Lake Daylesford it leads through Central Springs Reserve and along Wombat Creek. Cross the footbridge at the carpark to return to the lake or cross the highway to Twin Bridges picnic area.

Tracks then follow both banks of Sailor's Creek north to Tipperary Springs (which can be accessed by car along Tipperary Rd which heads off the Midlands Highway). The spring itself is located near the footbridge. Panning for gold and garnets is popular here.

Cross the footbridge. You can loop back to Twin Bridges or ascend the steps and follow the signs along the west bank of the creek to Bryces Flat picnic area. You can loop back to Tipperary along the east bank or cross the footbridge and follow the signs north to The Blowhole and Breakneck Gorge veering east to Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve. For further information on this section of the walk see entry on Hepburn Springs.

Central Highlands Tourist Railway and Wombat State Forest
The old railway station, adjacent Raglan St at the eastern edge of town, is the venue for the town markets and Central Highlands Tourist Railway. Both operate on Sundays only. On those days trains run on an hourly basis from Daylesford through Wombat State Forest to Bullarto and return, tel: (03) 5348 3503. The forest, with its fern gullies, streams, waterfalls and spring wildflowers, is a popular spot for scenic drives and walks.

Llamas
Take a Llama to Lunch offers a bushwalk in the Glenlyon district accompanied by a llama which carries the necessary items for a gourmet picnic. They operate weekends from October to May by booking only. Mid-week excursions for groups can also be arranged, tel: (03) 5348 7739.

Jubilee Lake
Jubilee Lake, at the south-eastern edge of town, was constructed in 1860 to supply water for the goldfields and for domestic purposes. It is now a popular spot for boating, picnicking and swimming. There is a caravan park, a mineral spring, a kiosk, barbecue facilities, boat and canoe hire, and a walking track which leads around the lake and on to Soda Spring. Jubilee Lake Rd runs off King St.

Sailor's Falls
Situated in an area that was once mined for gold, Sailor's Falls, about 8 km south on the Daylesford-Ballan Rd, cascade for 30 m down a steep gorge into a fern-lined creek. There are picnic facilities and electric barbecues. A short loop walk takes in the area's mineral springs or you can follow the orange trail markers and signposts to Twin Bridges (6.5 km).

Blampied
About 11 km south-west of town along the Midland Highway is Blampied which boasts Victoria's oldest continually-licenced hotel - the Swiss Mountain Hotel (1860) which is a lovely single-storey weatherboard building with a great atmosphere. Blampied also has an attractive little bluestone Catholic church.

Eganstown
7 km west along the Midland Highway is the former mining centre of Eganstown. Now a quiet hamlet, the 1865 Catholic Church of St Francis Xavier is one of the few remaining public buildings. In the adjoining cemetery is a monument to John Egan who arrived in Australia in 1841 and established Eganstown in 1848. He discovered gold in 1851 and died in 1894.

Mt Franklin Recreation Reserve
Mt Franklin, an extinct volcano, is unmistakably signposted 10 km north of town along the Midland Highway. The road ascends to a sizeable and shady picnic-barbecue area. Short-term camping is permitted with fireplaces, toilets and washing water provided. You can walk or drive from the picnic area to the excellent lookout at the summit.

Dry Diggings Track
The Dry Diggings Track is a 55-km walking route which winds its way around the old goldfields between Castlemaine and Daylesford, taking in Fryerstown, Vaughan, Mt Franklin and Hepburn Springs. It takes in many of the area's goldmining relics, as well as its plant communities and fauna types. A comprehensive guide map has been drawn up and it is available from the Visitors' Centre.

This track represents one section of Victoria's Great Dividing Trail, a series of co-ordinated walks across the ranges and Central Highlands. The section from Daylesford to Ballarat has been virtually completed, tel: (03) 5348 3059.

Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing Tours can be arranged by ringing (03) 5348 4405 or (03) 5348 4422.

	Tourist Information
	Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre 98 Vincent St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 1339
	Motels
	Daylesford Motel 54 Albert St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2029 Rating: **
	Central Springs Inn Cnr Camp & Howe Sts Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3134 or (03) 5348 3388 Facsimile: (03) 5348 3967 Rating: ***
	The Lakes Motel 1 King St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2763 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Farmers Arms Hotel 1 East St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2091
	Walshs Daylesford Hotel 2 Burke Square Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2335 Rating: *
	Lake House Luxury Hotel & Restaurant King St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3329 Facsimile: (03) 5348 3995 Rating: ****
	Royal Hotel Cnr Vincent & Alberts Sts Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2205 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	35 Hill Street Bed & Breakfast 35 Hill St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3878 Rating: **
	Rose of Daylesford Guesthouse 58 Raglan St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 1482 Rating: ***
	Ambleside Bed & Breakfast 15 Leggatt St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2691 Facsimile: (03) 5348 2691 Rating: ****
	Double Nut Guesthouse 5 Howe St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3981 Facsimile: (03) 5348 3981 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Forget-Me-Not Cottage Garden 9 Stanhope St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3507 Rating: ***
	Gloriette Cottage 7 Camp St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 1498 Rating: ***
	Porcupine Ridge Estate Cottage RMB 4316 Porcupine Ridge Rd Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 7602 Facsimile: (03) 5348 7816 Rating: ****
	Spa Accommodation Cottages 77A Raglan St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3892 Rating: ***
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Boomerang Holiday Ranch Tipperary Springs Rd Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2525 Rating: ***
	Burnt Hill Farm Cottage Brandy Hot Rd Eganstown Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2069 Rating: **
	Caravan Parks
	Jubilee Lake Caravan Park Lake Rd Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2186 Rating: ***
	Victoria Park Caravan Park Ballan Rd Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3821 Rating: ***1/2
	Restaurants
	Central Springs Inn Cnr Camp & Howe Sts Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3134 or (03) 5348 3388
	Champion Restaurant & Takeaway Vincent St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2062
	Convent Gallery Restaurant Daly St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3211
	Food Gallery Vincent St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 1677
	Frangos & Frangos Restaurant Vincent St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2363
	Green Garden Chinese Restaurant Vincent St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3592
	Lake House Luxury Hotel & Restaurant King St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3329 Facsimile: (03) 5348 3995
	Royal Hotel Cnr Vincent & Alberts Sts Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2205
	Town Hall Restaurant Vincent St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 2291
	Cafés
	Harvest Cafe Albert St Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone: (03) 5348 3994