Daylesford Local Guide

Your Stay. Elevated.

Welcome to the heart of Victoria's spa country, known for its mineral springs, relaxed country charm and wonderful food and wine. It's a region best explored slowly.

Jump to: Groceries · Eat & drink · Explore · With your pet · Safety & health

Groceries and essentials

Coles in the centre of town for a full shop.
BP service station for a quick convenience trip.

Eat and drink

Special-occasion dining

Sault (Sailors Falls): refined seasonal dining among lavender fields and gardens.
Kadota (Daylesford): intimate Japanese dining with kaiseki-inspired set menus made with seasonal local ingredients. Bookings essential.
Bistro Terroir (Daylesford): elegant French bistro classics and a curated wine list.
The Surly Goat (Hepburn Springs): creative, produce-led dining in a relaxed hillside setting.

Local favourites

The Farmers Arms (Daylesford): a much-loved pub with generous seasonal dishes and elevated country favourites.
Daylesford Hotel (Daylesford): quality meals, wood-fired pizza, a public bar, beer garden and balcony, or the more intimate Bistro.
The Royal Daylesford Hotel (Daylesford): traditional pub dining in the heart of town, with outdoor areas that are lovely in warmer weather.
The Boathouse Restaurant (Daylesford): lakeside dining with views across Lake Daylesford, ideal for a long lunch or a celebration.

Wine bars, cocktails and share plates

Leggatt St Bar (Daylesford): stylish wine bar overlooking the lake, with an extensive wine list and seasonal small plates.
Winespeake Cellar + Deli (Daylesford): wine bar, cellar and deli with local and international wines, cheese, charcuterie and regional produce.
Bar Merenda (Daylesford): intimate wine bar with seasonal dishes from local produce, classic cocktails and aperitifs.
Saint Brigid's (Daylesford): cocktails and craft beer, with share plates from the adjoining Marrow kitchen.
Betel Boy (Daylesford): vibrant pan-Asian share plates and excellent cocktails.

Cafés, breakfast and lunch

Cliffy's Emporium (Daylesford): an iconic café with hearty breakfasts, great coffee and plenty of regional produce.
Wombat Hill House (Daylesford): breakfast, lunch, fresh pastries and coffee from the Lake House team, in the Botanic Gardens.
Lotte (Hepburn Springs): seasonal café and restaurant with specialty coffee and hyper-local produce.

A cosy night in

Hepburn Pizza (Hepburn Springs): classic pizzas made with quality ingredients, and our top pick for a relaxed night in.
Daylesford Hotel Drive-Through (Daylesford): wood-fired pizza and takeaway drinks, collected through the hotel's drive-through.
Daylesford Chargrilled Chicken (Daylesford): roast chicken, chips and family-friendly takeaway.
Spice of India (Daylesford): generous, flavourful Indian dishes with fragrant spices.

Opening hours, menus and special offers can change, so it's worth checking before you go.

Explore the region

Arts, galleries and markets

The Convent Gallery: contemporary art, local history, a café, gift shop and gardens in an iconic building.
Bromley & Co: gallery, boutique and homewares featuring artist David Bromley.
Daylesford Mill Markets: vintage furniture, art, clothing, antiques and collectables.
Daylesford Sunday Market: a weekly market beside the heritage railway, with local produce, handmade goods, plants, vintage finds and food stalls.

Mineral springs and spa

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa: natural mineral water bathing, spa treatments and wellness experiences.
The Mineral Spa at Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel: mineral pools, saunas and treatments.

Nature and scenic spots

Lake Daylesford: a lakeside walking trail, picnic spots and natural mineral water to taste at the nearby springs.
Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens: historic gardens on an extinct volcano, and the Pioneer Memorial Tower lookout for sweeping views.
Sailors Falls: a short walk to viewing platforms over a waterfall and fern-lined gully, best after rain.

Wineries, cider and country experiences

Passing Clouds Winery (Musk): boutique tastings among the vines, with seasonal food experiences.
Daylesford Cider Company: handcrafted cider, orchard views, seasonal picnics and wood-fired pizza.
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm: lavender fields, European-inspired gardens, heritage stone buildings and a rustic café.

Good to know

Daylesford evenings cool down quickly, even in summer, so an extra layer is handy.
Local wildlife can be curious visitors. Keep outside doors closed in the evening, don't leave food or rubbish outside, and expect a few more insects in the warmer months.
Country roads and properties can be very dark at night, so take a torch if you're heading outdoors after sunset.
Mobile reception varies by provider and can drop out around town. Your home's Wi-Fi details are in your Welcome Guide.

With your pet 🐾

Walks: the loop track around Lake Daylesford (about 2.8 km) is a lovely walk. Dogs need to be on a lead.
Coffee stop: Wombat Hill House café in the Botanic Gardens welcomes dogs in its outdoor area. Just ask the team when you arrive.
Vet: we recommend Kyneton Vets. Find them on Google Maps →

Safety and health

In an emergency, call 000 for police, fire or ambulance.

Nearest hospital: Daylesford Hospital (Central Highlands Rural Health), 17 Hospital Street, Daylesford. Please call ahead on 03 5321 6500.
Health advice at any time: Nurse-On-Call, 1300 60 60 24.
Fire Danger Period: the CFA restricts the use of fire to help prevent bushfires. You can't light fires in the open air without a permit. On Total Fire Ban days, no open-air fires are allowed, including firepits, and barbecues can only be used under strict conditions. Check today's rating and any Total Fire Ban at cfa.vic.gov.au →
Warnings: we recommend downloading the free VicEmergency app for alerts during your stay.
Power outages: the area can lose power in severe weather. Keep the fridge and freezer closed, check the live outage maps from Powercor →, and we'll message you with updates.

Need a recommendation for something else? Message us through your booking and we'll be happy to help.

Warmly,
Maison Luxury Stays Team