Icons of Victoria's High Country

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From Melbourne, take the scenic 90-minute drive to Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, Victoria’s renowned spa and wellness region. Along the way, consider a stop in Hepburn Springs, home to the historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, where you can immerse yourself in naturally occurring mineral waters that have been drawing visitors for over a century. Continue your journey to Daylesford, where indulgence awaits. Enjoy an unforgettable lunch at the acclaimed Lake House Restaurant, explore the boutiques and galleries along Vincent Street, or wander the peaceful Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Whether you're craving relaxation, gourmet food, or creative inspiration, this region offers a restorative escape just outside the city.

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Daylesford is one of Australia’s only true spa towns. Known as part of “Spa Country,” the region is home to over 65 mineral springs, the highest concentration of naturally occurring mineral waters in the country. For millennia, these lands were revered by First Nations people for their healing properties, and the 1850s gold rush brought waves of settlers who helped shape the town’s charming architecture and cultural legacy.
Surrounded by rolling hills, cool-climate vineyards, and Wombat State Forest, Daylesford blends rich history with a thriving creative and culinary scene. Discover artisan produce, boutique wineries, historic walking trails, and local art galleries that showcase the region’s vibrant identity. Whether you're here to relax or explore, Daylesford promises a uniquely nourishing experience.

A visit to Daylesford is incomplete without dining at the Lake House Restaurant, widely recognised as one of Australia’s premier culinary destinations. Consistently awarded Two Chefs’ Hats in the Good Food Guide and named “The Icon” by Gourmet Traveller, this celebrated restaurant offers more than just a meal, it delivers a world-class dining experience.
Guided by Culinary Director Alla Wolf-Tasker AM, the kitchen showcases contemporary Australian cuisine with a deep respect for seasonal and regional produce. Many ingredients come directly from Dairy Flat Farm, the Lake House’s own regenerative property. Guests can expect a thoughtfully crafted multi-course menu that evolves with the seasons, paired with selections from a cellar of nearly 13,000 bottles sourced globally. Whether you're staying for a couple of nights or just passing through, lunch or dinner at the Lake House is a must for lovers of food and wine.

Ease into your day with a gentle walk around Lake Daylesford, right on your doorstep. The 2.8km circuit takes around 40 minutes and offers picturesque lake views, native birdlife, and plenty of photo-worthy spots. After your walk, enjoy a leisurely breakfast back at the Lake House before heading out to explore.

Your morning continues at the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, located atop an extinct volcano. Climb the Pioneer Memorial Tower for sweeping views of the region, and pause for coffee and a sweet treat at the charming Wombat Hill House Café, nestled within the gardens. Then visit The Convent, a grand heritage building home to contemporary art galleries, curated gardens, a museum, and a chapel, offering a rich blend of culture and history.

In the afternoon, make your way to Vincent Street, Daylesford’s buzzing village centre. This vibrant strip is dotted with galleries, boutiques, and artisanal shops. Discover local designers at Harry & Me, browse luxury natural fibres at Creswick, or pick up handcrafted gin and spirits at Hepburn Distillery. Art lovers should stop in at Bromley & Co., where whimsical pieces and bold canvases bring a creative energy to the space. 

Swap spa country for wine country as you make your way north from Daylesford to Victoria’s High Country. It’s a beautiful drive through open farmland and small country towns, with plenty of reasons to stop along the way. Take a break in Bendigo, where gold rush history meets a buzzing arts scene, think grand old buildings, great coffee, and galleries worth lingering in. Further up the road, Shepparton is a good spot to stretch your legs. You’ll find fresh produce straight from the farm, and the Shepparton Art Museum is a surprising gem. From there, the road leads into the heart of the High Country, where Beechworth, Rutherglen, and the King Valley each offer their own take on good food, good wine, and warm country hospitality.

Discover the artistry of Rutherglen Muscat at Stanton & Killeen, a seventh-generation family-owned winery with more than 150 years of history. Led by mother and daughter duo Wendy and Natasha Killeen, the winery is renowned for its world-class Muscat, rare Portuguese varieties and award-winning fortifieds. Your experience begins with a guided tour of the original 19th century winery, where you will hear fascinating stories of the Killeen family legacy and explore the casks lining the historic cellar. Along the way, taste through the Rutherglen Muscat classification including Rutherglen, Classic, Grand and Rare styles, and gain an appreciation for the depth and complexity of this extraordinary wine. The journey continues in the private Solera Room for a hands-on blending session. Taste four different Muscat parcels, experiment with ratios and create your own unique blend. To finish, your personalised Muscat is bottled with a custom label to take home.

Start the day with a sparkling Prosecco Brunch at Brown Brothers Winery, featuring a grazing spread of freshly baked pastries, house-made charcuterie, seasonal fruits, and sweet treats, all paired with their renowned Prosecco range. Brown Brothers, one of Australia’s oldest and most loved wineries, boasts four generations of winemaking expertise, producing some of the country’s most innovative wines. Nestled in Milawa, the winery offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Brunch runs from 9:00- 11:00, leaving time to tour the historic grounds, taste regional wines, and savor seasonal flavors at their Restaurant and Wine Bar.

Discover a rare opportunity to taste aged Italian wine varieties alongside their current releases at Pizzini Wines. This unique experience showcases the sophistication, rarity, and complexity of aged wines from the King Valley, telling the story of the Pizzini family’s pioneering journey in growing northern Italian grape varieties since the 1980s. Taste wines from various vintages, comparing new releases with aged back vintages, and learn how they develop over time. After the tasting, enjoy a glass of wine with an Italian-style grazing platter in the Cellar Door grounds, immersed in the beauty of the region.

After a relaxed stay in Victoria’s High Country, begin the journey south to Melbourne,  a scenic drive of just over three hours. Along the way, take time to explore Benalla, a charming regional town around 2 hours from the city. Stretch your legs with a visit to the Benalla Art Gallery, beautifully located by the lake and home to a rich collection of colonial and contemporary Australian art. For a deeper look into the region’s past, stop by the Benalla Historical Museum, which showcases local stories, memorabilia, and connections to the infamous Ned Kelly. From here, continue your drive into Melbourne. 

Explore more of Melbourne before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey.

Your tour comes to an end today, but if you are itching to explore more amazing sights, we can customise your holiday to include more days or additional destinations. Our trusted travel specialists can book transfers to your onward flight, and even assist in booking these flights for you. Our team can't wait to help you design your ultimate getaway!