Daylesford is 90 minutes out of Melbourne (115km North West) and famous for hot springs, good food and The Lakehouse restaurant and resort. A little spa town to slow down, eat well, rug up and bathe in the healing natural waters.
There are so many amazing unique, boutique accommodation options in this little town that I couldn't limit it to just 3.:: Harts Lane Studio : 2 Hearts Lane : you can book the house fr $195/night or the studio fr $160/night
:: The Church at Franklinford : 800 Hepburn - Newstead Road : map : reservations by email or 0425 816 515 : 2 nights on weekend $380 Stay tuned for the soon to be opened Hotel Frangos : The Frangos' already have a beautiful restaurant (Frangos & Frangos) & cafe (Koukla) see below, spa (Endota also below) and fashion store in the centre of town (Vincent Street)
:: Lark : Handmade & Vintage finds : 4a Duke Street (behind the MS Shop) : (03) 5348 3571 : Open Sat & Sun 10am-4pm : Lark House is their vintage guest house which fits 8 : book through DayGet : tel: +61 3 5348 4422.
:: Junk Style is worth a look at 67 Vincent Street (upstairs)
:: Day On Earth : Shed 4, 39 East Street : Open Fri-Sun 10am-5pm : Artist David Bromley's workshop
:: Markets :: Saturday Market : 1st Saturday of the month in the primary school on Vincent St (locals love Beer and Breakfast for a friendly bite to eat just across the road :: Sunday Market : 18 Raglan St (nr Daylesford Station) 8am-4pm :: Makers Market : Daylesford Town Hall, Vincent Street, 10am-3pm : Dates here :: Convent Gallery : Cnr. Hill & Daly St, Daylesford : 03 5348 3211 : have a tea in the cafe and wander the gardens : Open 7 Days 10am - 4pm : Admission fee $5.00
:: Cool off in Jubilee Lake and visit Lake Daylesford
:: :: Red Star Cafe, 115 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs (opposite Peppers) : Open Su -Th 8am -5pm & Fr -Sa 8am - late
:: Koukla : Open 7 Days 8am - late : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner : bookings taken for groups at dinner only : 03 5348 2363 
:: Cliffy's Emporium : 30 Raglan St Daylesford : (03) 5348 3279 : Open Mon-Fri & Sun 9:30am-5pm; Sat 9:30am-10pm : very cosy and cute : grerat produce store at the front too & yummy cakes
:: Frangos & Frangos : 82 Vincent Street, Daylesford : Breakfast 10-12 Sat & Sun : Lunch Fri-Sun & Dinner Fri & Sat : Tel : 03 5348 2363
:: Lavandula's La Trattoria : 350 Hepburn-Newstead Road, Shepherds Flat : 03 5476 4393 : Weekday lunch special $25 includes gate fee, pasta or risotto & glass of house wine. Open daily 10.30am-5.30pm 1 September to 31 May, then weekends, Queen's Birthday and Victorian School Holidays in June, July, August. Café closed August
:: Don't pay attention to what you iPhone tells you - make sure you turn left off the highway
:: Don't be mistaken, its 45 mins form the airport but a good hour and a bit from the centre of Melbourne
:: Kyneton : 30 minutes away : Stop for a coffee at the very cute Little Swallow cafe : wander around the cute stores on Piper Street (like Kabinett @ #66) and settle for a seriously good meal at one of Annie Smithers Bistrot : French - 1 Hat : 72 Piper St : 03 5422 2039 or Royal George : 24 Piper St : 03 5422 1390. Stay at Tonia Todman's Highbank Stables : take a cooking class & check out her roses. If you're there 2nd Sat of the month, check out the farmers market at St Paul's Park at (where else?) Piper St. Then there's Stockroom at #98 : We-Fr 10.30-5 & Sa-Sun 10-6 (#98) showcasing contemporary local artists
:: Macedon Ranges : c.1 hour away : visit Curly Flat vineyards : picnic at Hanging Rock and see the amazing garden and flower displays at spring time
:: Trentham : c.15 mins drive away : Cosmopolitan Hotel : Cnr High St & Cosmo Rd : 03 5424 1516 : best local food, wine and beer Fr, Sa & Su for lunch and dinner : Trentham Farmers Market 3rd Sat of the month : Open for coffee & breakfast from 9am
images (top row) Koukla, Harts Lane studio & bottom row Comma, Hepburn Bathhouse, The White House.
