Daylesford / Hepburn Springs according to Visit Daylesford

Daylesford - funky town
Hepburn Springs - vibrant village

Looking for acclaimed cuisine, cellar doors, award winning day spas, spectacular scenery, natural mineral springs, romantic hideaways, country resorts, historic streetscapes, great entertainment, fabulous art or a game of golf?

Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, the Shire boasts the highest concentration of mineral springs in the country together with an equally large array of therapists. Holistic health services, provided in conjunction with the mineral springs and spas, continue the region's long tradition as a place of healing.

The towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs reflect the character of their earliest heritage when Swiss-Italian miners and other immigrants settled here and people travelled from afar to "take the waters".

The natural beauty of the area and its period character have drawn a widening artistic community, providing visitors and the community with performing and visual arts by artists of national and international repute.

For more information contact:
Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre on 5321 6123
98 Vincent St, Daylesford 3460

Daylesford according to Travel Victoria

The township of Daylesford is located between Castlemaine and Creswick, within a region that contains Australia's largest concentration of natural mineral springs.

A gold rush occurred in the area when alluvial gold was found in 1851, with the town of Daylesford being surveyed in 1854.

While Daylesford's initial growth was due to the thousands of workers looking for gold, the town is much more famous for the bubbling mineral waters which flow from its many springs. Coupled with its beautiful mountain scenery, forests, gardens and lakes, Daylesford and neighbouring Hepburn Springs have become major tourist, holiday and alternative lifestyle towns. There is a thriving industry built around physical and spiritual wellness including spa treatments, massages and acupuncture.

The commercial centre of Daylesford is located along Albert Street and Vincent Street. It features a generous collection of historic buildings including the post office (built in 1867), town hall (1882), and several hotels and shops.

Many of Daylesford's streets are lined with deciduous trees that erupt into a blaze of colour during the autumn season.

Lake Daylesford, which covers land upon which gold was first discovered, was created in 1929 and is located in the beautiful Central Springs Reserve, just a few minutes walk south of the town centre. There is a cafe built right beside the lake, picnic spots, walking tracks and several mineral springs. Jetties are provided for fishing and for those wishing to hire rowboats or other pleasure craft.

A short walk east of the town centre is the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens which were first established in 1863. They are situated on an extinct volcano and offer good views over the surrounding countryside from its manicured lawns and pathways. The gardens also feature a rotunda, lookout tower and conservatory.

Jubilee Lake is located a couple of kilometres south of Daylesford, constructed in 1860 as a water supply. These days it is a scenic spot idea for fishing, boating and swimming, just a short walk from a mineral spring. A few kilometres further south is Sailor's Falls - a 30 metre cascade of water into a deep gorge, surrounded by a reserve.

Daylesford according to Daylesford Massage and Spa

Why choose a Spa in Daylesford or Hepburn Springs? There are many stories regarding the healing abilities of the Spa Country region. Many years ago it was said Daylesford was situated between three extinct volcanos where the indigenous population would retreat to when they needed healing.

Another involves the combination of healing mineral waters and gold under the earth recharging the physical body. Another tells of the healing power of eucalyptus and pine trees on the etheric body. There is probably truth in all of them. But the real truth is there is nowhere more beautiful or inviting to have a massage or spa than Daylesford. If you come here you won't be disappointed.

Want a cheaper stay in Daylesford? - try midweek. Most accommodation providers offer mid week discounts, the town is less crowded and there is still plenty to do.