Melbourne Hidden Gems | I Found Slow Living in Daylesford

If I'm looking for a short getaway from Melbourne on the weekend, Daylesford is definitely my top choice. A one-and-a-half-hour drive is all it takes to switch from the city's hustle and bustle to lush greenery and the scent of pine forests. I've been to this place many times, but each visit still brings pleasant surprises – mineral springs, a lakeside, forest cabins, and that atmosphere that makes you unconsciously slow down. It's truly perfect for those who want to "unplug" for a short while.

This time, follow me for a day and a night to experience this town known as "the closest healing place to the city."

 

 

Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens
It was cloudy when I arrived, the mist hadn't dissipated, and the scent of pine was thick and pervasive. Climbing up the tower on the hilltop, looking down, the entire town was enveloped in misty trees, so quiet that only birdsong and the sound of the wind remained.

Down the slope is The Convent Gallery, formerly a convent, now converted into an art space. I had a cup of tea on the terrace and tried some local mineral water – it had a slightly rusty taste, but somehow felt pure.

 

 

A loop around the lake
Lake Daylesford isn't big, but it's particularly photogenic. A walk around the lake takes about an hour, and along the way, I encountered people walking their dogs; we'd nod in greeting, then continue on our separate ways.

 

Hidden by the lake is a small wine bar called Winespeake. I ordered a glass of local Pinot Noir with a cheese platter and sat by the window. Water birds skimmed across the lake, and at that moment, I felt quite adept at living life to the fullest.

 

 

Hepburn Springs
The adjacent Hepburn Springs is the true hot spring area. I couldn't get a reservation for a high-end spa, but I stumbled upon the Mineral Springs Reserve park by chance. Local seniors were filling large bottles with mineral water. I also filled a bottle, and it indeed felt more "alive" than supermarket water.

A budget-friendly option is to visit the public swimming pool, which uses natural mineral water. You can feel the slight bubbles in the water, and the ticket price is only a few dollars.

 

 

Lavender Farm
About ten minutes' drive from the town center, I turned into a small road lined with poplars. At the end of the gravel road was a cobblestone courtyard, surrounded by golden stone old houses from the 19th century – at first glance, I felt this place was unlike anywhere else in Australia.

Vast fields of lavender stretched across the hills. I visited at the tail end of the blooming season, so the purple wasn't as intense, but the fragrance in the wind was still present. Alpacas and guinea fowl roamed freely on the farm, approaching people as they saw them.

In the Farm Shop, I bought hand cream and essential oils, all made from the farm's own lavender. The adjacent cafe, facing the courtyard, served lavender scones with strawberry jam and a glass of lavender champagne. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, and time itself seemed to slow down.

 

 

What to eat
Larder, on the main street, specializes in local cheeses and cured meats. I bought a platter and ate it by the door. In the evening, I went to Mercato, an Italian restaurant. Their mushroom risotto is said to use mushrooms picked from the nearby pine forest, and it truly was fragrant. The hot chocolate is a must-try – made from melted dark chocolate, it's so thick you can stand a spoon in it.

 

 

Staying in the forest
I booked a cabin ten minutes from the town center, surrounded by eucalyptus forests. Outside, there was an open-air bathtub, surprisingly fed by mineral water. At night, I soaked in the tub and watched the stars – a sky like that is definitely not visible in downtown Melbourne.

It's been a week since I returned from Daylesford, and I still occasionally think of that starry sky and the wind in the lavender fields.

A little advice: Autumn is the most beautiful, and winter is also suitable for hot springs. The lavender blooming season is most vibrant from January to February. A day trip is sufficient, but staying a night won't be regretted – the town in the early morning and evening is the real highlight.

 

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