DAYLESFORD TOWN & COUNTRY
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Town and Country Tour - Daylesford and surrounds
Join us on a day journey that travels through Central Victoria with its colonial history of settlement and showing the contemporary Aussie way of life in the towns and the spacious countryside.
The tour travels through Central Victoria farmlands and towns in a region originally settled by immigrant Irish sheep farmers. Today the region is a popular destination for international visitors. In the 1830’s the sheep farmers employed itinerant shepherds to herd their flocks from grassy plains to drink at the shallow creeks. It was this ritual that led to the discovery of gold and caused a rush of over 200,000 gold diggers. Large towns were established and from this new wealth resplendent homes and public buildings were built on a grand scale.
Castlemaine, Kyneton and Daylesford are especially renowned for their grand streetscapes, historic architecture, gardens, art galleries, festivals, health spas and is a Mecca for lover’s of provincial cuisine and fine dining.
Buildings of local basalt called ‘bluestone’ and ‘gold’ stone are a feature of the first buildings, built first by the Irish and later by Swiss-Italian immigrants. The latter established businesses selling produce to the diggers. Their European influence has greatly enhanced the ambience of this region that has since attracted many people and artisans from the city to live and work here.
Lavandula
An alfresco lunch can be enjoyed at La Trattoria, dining under the trees, in the ash grove or in the cool loggia. Lavandula farm is scenic surrounded by lavender fields, olive and chestnut groves and a vineyard. Its buildings are set in a beautiful European-style open garden with potages and cobbled courtyards.
The owner, Carol White has created the traditional mixed farm lifestyle of the early Italian speaking Swiss settlers. The buildings of golden and basalt heritage stones have been beautifully restored and the simple rural Italian architecture is to be admired.
Your entry fee includes a tour of the house.
Daylesford
Daylesford a pretty town is a Mecca for local tourists to escape city life and for others wanting a relaxing retreat at one of the many health spas. There are many buildings reminiscent of the time when Italian speaking Swiss arrived here at the time of the gold rush in 850’s. In the surrounding countryside and in the town, there are many fine ‘gold’ stone buildings of this historic period.
There’s also a serious foodie culture here and shops sell fresh produce and homemade cakes and preserves. There’s time to enjoy a street walk and sample some of the tasty food items.
Many ARTISTS live in and around Daylesford and can bee seen at Daylesford’s renowned Covenant Gallery. A visit here is highly recommended.
The Convent Gallery, Daylesford
Lake-house Restaurant, Daylesford
For the ultimate in luxurious indulgence, chef Alla Tasker‘s Lake House restaurant of international renown nestles on the foreshore of picturesque Lake Daylesford in the heart of Victoria’s spa Country. For lovers of good living a stop here for a long lunch is an option on the day tour!
2 DAY TOUR Town and Country
Daylesford, Western Plains & Great Ocean Road to Melbourne
Overnight Daylesford Lake House Hotel - a member of the prestigious Small Luxury hotels of the World. A 4 Star property with waterfront accommodation and spa facilities.
Thirty three rooms and suites, waterfront rooms - resort facilities
Lake House Dinner
Contemporary Australian cuisine is prepared under the guidance of Executive Chef and Managing Director Alla Wolf-Tasker with hints at her Russian heritage with dishes such as the smoked eel plated with beetroot remoulade and horseradish cream. Food is sourced, prepared and cooked with utmost skill and presented by highly trained, charming waiters in the dining that overlooks the lake.
The wine list features local producer Heathcote shiraz and subtle burgundies and Italian varieties to match with the dishes. The highest restaurant standards are maintained here and the restaurant has achieved many awards.
After breakfast the tour departs Daylesford at 0800 hrs and travels to the city of Ballarat and then continues crossing the western district travelling through the wide, scenic farmlands of rural Victoria. The tour joins of the Great Ocean Road and travels to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Lunch is enjoyed at small café overlooking the Otways rainforest. The tour returns to Melbourne travelling inland along the highway arriving in Melbourne early evening.
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