Spa Country, Victoria, Australia Travel Information

Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the twin towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs provide the perfect destination for those seeking time out from the stresses of life.

Link to accommodation, cottages & bed and breakfasts in the Macedon Ranges & Spa Country, Victoria

Fittingly dubbed ‘Spa Country’, the area encompassing Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Trentham, Creswick and surrounding districts is home to Australia’s largest concentration of mineral springs. Of the 110 documented springs in Victoria, 72 are located here.

Each spring has its own distinctive flavour, depending on the mineral content of the surrounding rock. These rejuvenating waters contain many nutrients missing from modern diets, such as magnesium, iron and potassium. Visitors can tour the area and freely sample the mineral springs. Bring some plastic bottles with screw-top caps and you can fill up with your own selection of mineral water - free of charge.

Some of the more popular and accessible springs are found in the park-like surrounds of Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve, such as the Locarno, Soda, Sulphur and Wyuna Springs. For the more energetic, well signposted walks will guide you to the Argyle or Golden Springs.

In the district around Daylesford, the Deep Creek Mineral Spring has a historic bridge and pump house – both among the icons of the Spa Country. A short distance from the town, Tipperary Springs is another photogenic place to stop.

There are many ways to enjoy the healing benefits of the mineral springs, from a swim in the public mineral pool at Hepburn to the serenity of a private floatation tank. Many now come simply to experience the services that have grown with the reputation of the springs. Massages, oil and foam treatments and alternative therapies have become industries in their own right.

A long-time mecca for health spa devotees, the region has also become a centre for the arts. The fresh, crisp air, bubbling waters and natural geographic wonders of the region provide inspiration for artists in many mediums, including glass blowers, potters, sculptors, silversmiths and painters. Among the best places to see the works of these local artists are the Pantechnicon and Convent Galleries in Daylesford. Keep an eye out for artists’ own galleries as you tour the area and you can buy direct from the artists themselves.

At their spectacular best in spring and early summer are the historic gardens. Daylesford’s Botanic Gardens at Wombat Hill is home to several rare species on the Register of Significant Trees.

For nature-lovers in search of less tamed sights, the breathtaking Mount Franklin, an extinct volcano, is only eight km north of Daylesford. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the superb views from the lofty heights. A little further away in the direction of Mt Macedon is the ruggedly beautiful Hanging Rock, made famous by Joan Lindsay’s book and the subsequent film.

A visit to Spa Country would not be complete without sampling some of the local cuisine. A gourmand’s delight, the region caters for all dining styles, from classical five star restaurants to casual pavement cafes. Many restaurants specialise in the excellent fresh local produce, with a choice of trout, yabbies, pheasants, quail, berries and cool climate wines.

An unlikely delicacy of the region is spicy bullboar sausages, made from a robust mix of beef, red wine, garlic and spices, and sold virtually everywhere. The Swiss Italian heritage of many residents is evident not only in this local fare but also in the architecture, such as the Mediterranean villas at Genoa

Accommodation.

With so many things to see and do in Spa Country – and such an outstanding choice of accommodation – choosing can be difficult. Consult the pages of Dawson’s Unique Places to Stay to help track down your perfect accommodation in Spa Country, whether it’s a cosy country cottage, a guesthouse or a resort-style hotel.