Goldfields region Victoria

Joy:One of our favourite wineries in the area. You can taste at the cellar door or have a fabulous lunch. Its a little bit further than we normally like to send people as its in Blampied, but its worth the drive! Doug and Carolyn are fabulous hosts too

Joy:The closest winery to Goldfield Glamping. The wine is good and if you can book ahead and have a long lunch you won't need to eat again that evening! Definitely worth booking (this should be under places to eat but its a winery!)

Joy:A tasting paddle is a great way to taste all the ciders on offer. Wood fired pizzas are fantastic and its lovely to play games in the garden on a warm day

Joy:A fabulous winery with both a cellar door and dining room open from Thursday to Sunday. We haven't yet visited the dining room (we've never got past the cellar door) but we're looking forward to trying and have had great reviews from guests

Joy:Book a secret forest walk and you won't be disappointed. You'll be directed to places that you probably wouldn't have found yourself or have the fun of a treasure hunt. GPS guided, self paced, the best way to see some hidden treasures in the area. https://secretforestwalks.com

Joy:A visit to The Mill, Castlemaine can be a short or long. From the Vintage Bizarre to the brewery, via chocolate, ice cream and wine. You can spend hours wandering the amazing spaces, buy antiques and curiosities, modern art and your weekly vegetables all in the same complex of mill buildings. Go for a wander, you don't want to miss any of it!

Joy:You can choose the level of bathing you want in either the bathhouse or upgrade to the Sanctuary (our particular favourite). The Sanctuary has a number of bathing options including a fabulous Salt and Magnesium round pool where you can float looking up at the domed roof. Wake yourself up again with a cool down plunge and bath by the creek in the tranquil pool.

Joy:My absolute favourite place for a facial! Lots of other treatments available that I'm yet to try but if the facial is anything to go by, they'll be amazing

Joy:I can recommend the hot stones massage at Renewal Massage Daylesford. Massage is such a personal thing but this is a little hidden gem. They can provide couples massages or individuals. Please book ahead to avoid disappointment

Joy:Endota provides the top quality spa experience you'd expect in Daylesford. They have a long list of treatments and as a larger spa, its often easier to get in if you haven't planned well ahead

Joy:A small village that punches above its weight! Two cafes - we love them both Dig (great pizzas) and The Blackbird (fab breakfasts). Newstead Live (music festival) over Australia Day weekend gets the place buzzing.

Joy:Australia’s first notable town (not sure what that means but it’s certainly worth visiting). It’s like stepping back in time. Some lovely shops and cafes

Joy:Our absolute favourite restaurant! Located on Daylesford Ballan Road, Sailors Falls, its 5 minutes from Daylesford toward Ballan. Amazing food and great service. Choice of a la carte or degustation menu. Booking is highly recommended as they sometimes close for private functions.

Joy:A cafe located in the middle of Daylesfords Botanic Gardens. Cosy inside, a conservatory and outdoor eating area for all weather. Not table service, so order at the counter but worth doing.

Joy:with a fabulous view of the lake. Sometimes a challenge to get parked on warm days as it shares the car park with visitors to the lake. Enjoy a walk around the lake before eating to work up an appetite. Great spot and good food.

Joy:A new cafe that has a fabulous arty feel and great ethics. The food is pretty wonderful too. With tables inside, outside the front and in the rear courtyard, this new cafe located on the main road in Castlemaine just before the turning to The Mill complex, is a great little find

Joy:Safs is one of our favourite cafes and you'll find us there for brunch regularly. Don't be fooled that you have to sit out the front, theres a back room, a back deck and a back garden too. The food is consistent good and the wine list is pretty good too