The Macedon Range.Renowned for its soothing spas as well as its wonderful scenery, the Macedon Range region of Victoria offers the visitor all of the health benefits associated with a region that boasts perhaps the greatest concentration of natural therapists in Australia. 
You'll find masseurs and therapists in the Macedon Range region in abundance, practising therapeutic and relaxation massage, Reiki, reflexology, Bowen therapy, acupuncture, traditional Chinese massage, shiatsu and many other holistic treatments. If you’re stressed and strained, tired and overworked, the Macedon Range region’s many venues, offering natural spa mineral waters, alternative therapies, saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools, will transform your mind and relax your body. Contrary to what many people believe, water from the natural mineral springs used in these hot spas is not only beneficial for stress relief. Spas also ease the discomfort of arthritis and assist with the relief of diabetes, not to mention the relaxation of joints and muscles, and the working of miracles for a great night's sleep. The Peppers Springs Retreat can offer you its Signature Tiger facial which, with its powerful detoxifying clay treatment will not only ward off stress, but also the advances of other hotel guests! Also famed for its sumptuous food, wine and wonderful local produce, the Springs Retreat is sure to wash away the stress of another busy week in the city. So, if you’re interested in a relaxing and decadent weekend away, rug up, fill the hip flask and experience the pure indulgence of Melbourne’s own backyard.
Daylesford is a village in the heart of Victoria's spa country. Just 108 kilometres from Melbourne and with a population of just 3000 it has long been Australia's premier spa and rejuvenation centre. Daylesford reflects the character of its Victorian-era heritage, when people travelled to ‘take the waters’ of the mineral springs and spas. Early Swiss, Italian and other immigrants who settled in the Macedon Range region during and after the region’s gold rush greatly influenced the gardens and architecture, bestowing upon the town a European feel. Today, visitors come to sample the rejuvenating mineral waters, stay in luxury accommodation, explore craft and antique shops, go boating on the lake, or just relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the fine dining. 
You can enjoy a cool summer retreat at the local botanic gardens with its panoramic views over Daylesford from the top of Wombat Hill or perhaps purchase some of the high-quality local craft on display at the award winning Convent Gallery. Maybe sinking to the bottom of a spa bath, with a blend of relaxing essential oils, at one of the many quality day spas and natural therapy centres is more your speed. There are over 50 different natural therapies available in the Macedon Range region. If you prefer your relaxation to be a little more energetic take the Tipperary Walking Track (but be prepared, it’s 16 kilometres long) and explore the scenic attractions like Sailors Falls, Mount Franklin, the Blowhole and the Hepburn Pool, and at the end of your day enjoy some very good tucker at the famous Lake House Restaurant or one of the other high-quality dining establishments in the area. For families, there’s plenty to see and do in the Macedon Range region. On Sundays, vintage railway trips operate from Daylesford Station and travel through the Wombat State Forest.
Have breakfast at the Boathouse Café by the lake, hire a boat, feed the ducks, or if you’re a horse rider you might venture out on one of the local trails for a picnic ride. Hepburn Springs is another historic village located in the middle of the largest concentration of mineral springs in Australia. The springs are full of health-giving minerals that occur naturally in different formulations, giving every spring a distinctive taste. Established during the gold rush of the 1850s when the Swiss and Italian migrants moved to the area, it is now a popular holiday resort noted for its day spas and wellness centres. Explore the Hepburn Springs Mineral Springs Reserve and sample the mineral waters from the hand pumps and continuous flow pipes or enjoy a picnic under the trees. You can bottle and drink the water free of charge. 
You can walk through Hepburn Regional Park in spring and see colourful wildflowers and a wide range of animals and birds that inhabit the Macedon Range region or indulge in hydrotherapy and massage and beauty therapy at one of many day spas and wellness centres. Enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes and restaurants along Main Road or a beer and counter lunch (that’s lunch at the bar) at a historic country pub, or catch some great music acts at the Palais. Pick up a map from the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre and take the Historic Village Walk. Visit the Old Macaroni Factory (1859), Villa Parma (1864) and restored Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco guest houses, shops, hotels, and miners’ cottages. You might even like to play a round of golf on Hepburn Springs’ 18-hole golf course but you’ll need to watch out for the resident wild kangaroos, they think they own the place.
Drive 5kms to visit the historic Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, with lavender fields in bloom November-February, and Cricket Willow, home of the cricket bat and other cricket memorabilia. In the nineteenth century, Melbourne's wealthiest residents escaped the summer heat and made their way to the townships of Macedon and Mount Macedon, where they built impressive mansions and created some of Victoria's finest gardens. Today the area still boasts many private gardens that are open to the public throughout the year and some very beautiful parks and reserves. You can discover the gardens and homes of the Macedon Range region - many of the stunning private gardens in the area are opened to the public periodically through the Open Gardens Scheme. If a little tipple is on your list of things to do you can meet the winemaker and taste the goods at the cellar door of the local wineries. In Macedon Range Regional Park you can enjoy panoramic views, take scenic drives, make use of the excellent picnic facilities and walking trails, visit cultural and historic sites of interest and see a wonderful diversity of local plants and wild animals. 
Visit Camels Hump, a rocky outcrop formed by a small steep-sided volcano, offering spectacular views of Hanging Rock and the northern rural landscape, take the Forest Eco-Tourism Walking Trail at Sanatorium Lake and maybe even picnic at the mysterious Hanging Rock (perhaps you should watch the movie first)? Make the short walk to Mount Macedon's famous memorial cross and lookout. Stop and smell the roses at the historic State Nursery at Macedon. Yes, it’s truly a wonderful place….........enjoy, John. Discount Shopping Discount Travel | Special Travel Deals | Discount Attractions Our RSS feed will be updated periodically with all the latest travel deals and special offers. Please subscribe by clicking the button to the left (XML/RSS) to receive notice of these updates without any risk or obligation. PLEASE NOTE: If you don't know what an RSS feed is just click this link. Click here to return from The Macedon Range to The Discount Travel Guide home page. |
