At a Glance
Immerse yourself on the wonderful Goldfields Track traversing picturesque country towns of Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and Castlemaine that teem with Victoria’s natural beauty. Discover natural mineral springs the region is renowned for and revel at relics of the gold mining era. Unwind each day at the impressive residence of a manor house.
Departing from Melbourne, journey through every-changing landscapes of flowing creeks and ridges of the Great Divide from the temperate forests. Embark on moderately graded walks traversing natural mineral springs, crossing rivers lined with ferns and discovering deep gullies covered with mine shafts, stone ruins and the relics of the gold rush 150 years ago. Delve deep into the Victorian goldrush exploring sensational towns including Fryertown and Vaughan once so rich in gold deposits and revel in abandoned mines. Along ...
Trip Highlights
|
|
What's Included
- 3 nights’ accommodation on a twin share basis
- Mineral bath at the iconic Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa
- Morning tea at the historic Red Beard Bakery
- Return transfer to and from central Melbourne
- 3 breakfast, 4 lunch, 2 dinner, morning tea, fresh fruit and snacks out on the tracks
- Tour transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned mini bus (maximum 10 people)
- Qualified and fun guides
- Chocolate tastings at Chocolate Mill
- Cider tastings at Daylesford Cider House
- Convent Gallery entrance fee
- All National Park entry fees
Itinerary
 |
Walking distance: Approx. 14km (8.7 miles), 6hours, easy to moderate grade Leave everyday life behind and be picked up at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne at 730am. A scenic drive finds you in the tiny country village Trentham, sitting high atop the stunning landscape of the Great Dividing Range. Pop in the Red Beard Bakery for a morning tea treat. Famous for its organic sourdough bread baked in a huge wood-fired, 19th century Scotch oven, indulge in delicious contemporary Australian café food paired with the perfect coffee. While here, marvel at the sights of artisan bakers at work. It’s then a direct journey to the invigorating town of Daylesford, famous for its mineral springs. Connect to nature on a peaceful 2.5 hrs walk from the picturesque Lake Daylesford through natural springs, old goldfields and stands of deciduous trees that blaze with colour in autumn. Traverse the stepping stones across Bryces Flat while keeping your eyes peeled for relics of the mining era including the large bluestone pieces that once formed a bridge. Along the way, encounter native wildlife moments of kangaroos and wallabies roaming about with an abundance of birdlife. Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch amongst mineral springs before missioning towards Hepburn Springs for another rejuvenating walk, 3.5 hours. Revel in impressive blow holes, immerse in lush forests, be captivated by rugged and sheer gorges and stride across flowing creeks that gives staggering distinct views at every bend. Traverse the lined Spring Creek via handmade bridges before capping the adventure off at Golden Springs. You’ll stay at the rustic and distinguished Daylesford Manor House. Briefly settle in to unpack and change for a relaxing end to your day at the only historic bathhouse in the region, Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. Slow down and restore your balance with a dip in the natural spring pools immersing in the curative effects of mineral wellness, amidst tranquil forests. Continue your quest for relaxation by purchasing wine from their local store to be enjoyed back at the manor paired with a delicious two-course dinner prepared by your guides. Post diner, take your wine and sip by the roaring wood fireplace or to the quiet verandah for your own peace. |
Daylesford Manor House 
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: Approx. 10-14km (6.2-8.7 miles), 6 hours, easy grade Today set off to Hepburn Mineral Springs for a gentle and peaceful walk along the Goldfields Track. Along the way, pump and taste some of this area’s famous mineral water, it’s a must. Marvel at the spectacular erosion columns of Beehive Gully, resembling a mini Grand Canyon 10-15 metres deep. While here, revel at remnants of shaft, water races, quartz crushing battery and a fan of tailings before emerging at the Chocolate Mill. Reward yourself with a sweet sensation of local decadent chocolate tasting paired with the perfect comfort of hot chocolate. Too good? Any purchased chocolates can be kept in a supplied esky just for your keepsake! Mission along to the highest point of Porcupine Ridge Road for sublime views of picturesque countryside while enjoying lunch. It’s then a drive to Daylesford Cider Company in Musk, a boutique cider maker producing a wide range using organically grown heritage apples. With views as delicious as its tasting menu, tantalise your tastebuds in a cider degustation amongst a picturesque English-style tavern countryside. Pop in the Convent Gallery, housed in a historic 19th century mansion. Marvel three levels of local and international art, make time for reflection at the onsite café and sculpture park or deeper into the botanic gardens. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. Shop your heart out in the boutique shops around Daylesford, or those with a penchant for pampering can head back to the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa for a relaxing treatment (at own cost) or simply soak in the scenery before retiring back at The Manor House where nibbles and a delightful dinner awaits. |
Daylesford Manor House Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: Approx.17 km (10.6 miles), 6 hours, easy to moderate grade Begin the day with a walk at Porcupine Ridge journeying to Sailors Gully for a lovely morning tea amongst lush green ferns. Continue the peaceful walk to the enchanting Vaughan Springs, where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch amongst the peaceful serenade of birds all around you. Stroll along the serene Lodden River and if it begs, take a dip into its icy clear waters. Feeling relaxed and refreshed, it’s time for a 2 hours scenic venture to Fryerstown. Step back in time, wander around the fascinating village and former gold town with rich historic sites and relics which was home to 15,000 miners at the height of the gold rush. Transfer back to Daylesford where the afternoon is spent doing as much or as little as you please. Unwind to the natural surroundings at Botanic Gardens, relax by the soothing sights of Lake Daylesford, explore the vibrant Vincent Street showcasing an eclectic mix of boutique stores, galleries and locally produced artisan products or simply unwind at the peaceful hamlet amidst the Manor House. This evening, enjoy a celebratory dinner (at own expense) at a local restaurant where the experiences of the last few days are recalled, delicious food shared and perhaps a final hurrah over drinks to end an incredible journey. |
Daylesford Manor House Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: Approx. 8-12km (5.0-7.5 miles), 4 hours, easy grade Your final day see’s you delving deeper into the Victorian Goldrush at Fryerstown, nestled in the Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park. Taking you through 140 years of mining history, explore abandoned mines and settlements as you traverse a steep walk into the gully or revel at impressive views from the platforms. Be captivated by the most prominent feature of the high stone-faced loading ramp from which quartz was fed into a stamping battery for crushing. See the forest through the eyes of alluvial gold diggers and quartz reef miners at Spring Gully. Take the climb to the highest point at The Monk, giving staggering cinematic views of surrounding mountains and where wonderful wildflowers and orchids vibrantly boast during season. Enjoy lunch at the picturesque tranquility of Botanical Gardens before popping by The Mill, a hub for foodies, art admirers and seekers of the collectable and curious. Mosey through a world of exclusive artisan products, premium food and wine outlets, vintage goods, observe artists in quirky art spaces and experience a cup of Austrian opulence at DaKaffeehaus. Marvel at the magnificent heritage listed art deco building of the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum. Immerse in its history through photographs, costumes, decorative arts and artefacts from the goldfields. Pop by the famous Duck Duck Goose and Larder, providing café, larder and providore giving an ample opportunity to browse and purchase souvenirs you desire to take home. Journey back to Melbourne, arriving at the National Gallery of Victoria around 430-5pm for your onward journey. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
Please contact us for group bookings and private departures.
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Melbourne
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Melbourne
Daylesford generally has a cooler climate than Melbourne, with the oceanic climate prevailing. From January until March and November and December, experience a pleasant temperature and limited rainfall. The highest average temperature is 26°C in January and the lowest is 10°C in July with average falling between 20°C- 25°C. May is the most wet month.
- Accommodation: The Manor House, Daylesford, is an 8 bedroom and 8 ensuite bathroom property. This magnificent, vast home was purposely built giving consideration to both privacy and group stays. There is ducted heating, a double-sided wood fire place, ceiling fans and split system air-conditioning. Guides prepare group meals in the kitchen and group dining is around a large bespoke table in the main dining room inside or in the large outdoor barbecue and dining area. All linen and some toiletries are provided at this lovely accommodation. A single supplement is available for an extra $320 per person.
- Flights: If you are flying out after the tour, please do not book flights any earlier than 7pm to allow travel time to the airport and check in.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
