There are the magnificent colours of the changing leaves, the chilly mornings and warm golden days. The summer visitors have gone from the walking trails and the picnic spots, and places are peaceful and enticing.
There’s great live music at the pubs and bars, and the local autumn produce demands serious attention - think mushrooms and cheeses, the famous Harcourt Valley apples, outstanding local ciders, wines and craft beers. In short, it’s the perfect time to come for a few days away. Enjoy the brisk air, the kaleidoscope of colours and the holiday memories you’re making.
The markets in Castlemaine and around the region are the best places to browse and sample the extraordinary range of Central Victoria’s produce and gourmet delights. With as much abundance as you could possibly imagine, you’ll return to the park laden with everything needed for inspired holiday cooking. The Castlemaine Farmers’ Market is on the first Sunday of the month, followed by the Bendigo market on the second Saturday of the month, Maldon on the second Sunday and the Malmsbury and the famous Talbot market on the third Sunday. Castlemaine also has a smaller weekly market.
The cooler days are perfect cycling weather. Bring your bikes and head off to explore the quiet and scenic back roads of Castlemaine and nearby Harcourt or try the easy and level 17.7-kilometre walking and cycling Castlemaine and Maldon Trail. For the serious mountain biker, Leanganook Track offers exciting off-road adventure and La Larr Ba Gauwa at Harcourt provides world-class mountain bike trails
This huge, extraordinary food and artisan complex situated in a re-purposed 1870s woollen mill is just a stroll across the road from BIG4 Castlemaine. The Mill is your go-to for amazing meals, coffees, wines, beers and gourmet treats with vintage shopping, arts and crafts thrown in for good measure. Everything you want for holiday feasting is right here: fruit and veg, handcrafted sausages, smoked salmon, hams, and terrines, organic fresh cheese and dairy products, coffee, artisan breads, chocolates and ice cream. Just yum!
Treat yourself to an afternoon at Castlemaine’s Buda House, a Museums Australia accredited goldfields villa house and gardens. Purchased in 1863 by successful Hungarian-born businessman Ernest Leviny, the villa was home to the Leviny family until 1981 and houses the family’s significant collection of furniture, artworks and personal belongings. The 1.2 hectares of gardens feature original plantings, a bird aviary, tennis pavilion and garden ornaments and there’s a lovely giftshop where you’ll find that special locally-crafted holiday souvenir.
The magnificent and historic 23-hectare Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and Bushland Reserve is right next door to BIG4 Castlemaine. Enjoy walking and cycling, admire the lake, the birdlife, the garden beds with colourful autumn plantings and, of course, the autumn leaves! The lovely Malmsbury Botanic Gardens, established in the 1850s, are also well worth a visit.
Head to this historic town just 15 minutes from Castlemaine and explore the gorgeous heritage streetscapes, perfectly preserved since its goldmining days. There are great cafes and pubs for a cosy lunch and plenty of good shopping to be done.
This is an ideal starting point for exploring the history of Castlemaine's vast Central Goldfields. A 400-metre track circles around an historic alluvial goldfield and detailed signboards along the way provide fascinating facts and information about the ancient Forest Creek River bed, the gold rush of the 1850's and 1860's, and the remnants and relics of the structures and equipment left behind. Further information is available on the Parks Victoria website (look for Castlemaine-diggings-national-heritage-park).
The authentic steam heritage train linking Castlemaine and Maldon. The train operates on Wednesdays and Saturday and bookings are essential. Keep an eye on special fun events that are often scheduled on Saturdays throughout the year. They include the popular Ales and Rails and Murder on Orient Express movie night (And remember, BIG4 Perks members enjoy discounted tickets).
This gallery and museum on Lyttleton Street in the heart of Castlemaine is well worth a visit for an hour or two to have a look at the range of art and artefacts reflecting the history and social life of Castlemaine and the surrounding region.
Open Friday to Sunday, this eclectic, whimsical, colourful and vibrant private collection of artworks housed in the historic and formidable Old Castlemaine Goal is well worth a leisurely browse. A unique collection in a unique location.
There's a lot more to see and do – check our socials and the official Castlemaine Maldon and Surrounds website for details of special events, festivals and exhibitions. There are also cafes to enjoy, wineries to visit, boutiques to browse and nearby towns to explore. With Bendigo, Daylesford and Kyneton all an easy drive away, Castlemaine is the ideal base for exploring all the riches of the Goldfields region.
