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Meridian Tours
ABN 60522 715 602

Tel + 61 3 9853 0701
Fax + 61 3 9853 4747
PO Box 406 Richmond
Victoria Australia 3122
Australia
Email: Meridian Tours

 

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© Meridian Tours, Feb 2007
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DAYLESFORD TOWN & COUNTRY

TOUR DETAILS map australia - victoria
Duration: 7 Hours
Distance:  
Escorted: Driver/Guide - all languages
Pick-up / Drop-off: CBD pick-up
Transport: Toyota Tarago
Commentary: Yes
Itinerary: Flexible
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This is a customised, private tour with your own driver/guide travelling in a six-seater vehicle.

Town and Country Tour - Daylesford and surrounds

Ballarat Gaol

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.

Lavandula

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.

daylesford gallery 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!

Lakehouse waiter on lake

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.

massage therapy
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.

Dayleford restaurant

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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