PAY IT FORWARD in Castlemaine

It’s easy to spend a day or two uncovering Castlemaine’s many treasures. Located on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, Castlemaine prospered in the 1850s following the discovery of gold. The legacy of those time is still evident, with cute miners’ cottages nestled against grand old buildings. Nowadays, this lively town is home to a flourishing arts scene, matched by a talented community of brewers, winemakers and restaurateurs.

We chatted with some of the friendly locals to get the inside word on what makes Castlemaine so special. Here, a few of them ‘Pay if Forward’, demonstrating what the ideal day in Castlemaine looks like.

Stay

Our journey starts with Castlemaine’s premier accommodation provider - Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation. Choose from their exclusive list of homes, which feature everything from restored Victorian manors to historical landmarks and modern apartments. Options include the original Station Master’s House, which has been renovated to its former glory, along with two of Castlemaine’s grandest historic homes: Corvah House and Campbell House.

Breakfast

“My go to spot for breakfast in Castlemaine is Das Kaffeehaus. This Viennese coffee house, located within The Mill precinct, serves traditional and incredibly tasty Austrian food. My favourite dish is Wiener Eierspeis’ (soft scrambled eggs), paired with one of their amazing double espresso mokkas. And you can’t leave without trying their famous Apfelstrudel. Das Kaffeehaus is also home to a small-batch, artisan coffee roastery, Coffee Basics – which we supply for our guests within their accommodation.”

- Donna Greenway, Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation

Shop

“After breakfast, I recommend popping next door to the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar, home to 2400 square metres of diverse and eclectic vintage magnificence, plus handmade goodies from local talent. It’s easy to spend an hour or two getting lost amongst the many collectibles and curiosities. Be sure to check out the newly opened section which has a focus on furniture, including restored, handmade and industrial vintage pieces."

EXPLORE + LUNCH

“I just love visiting Buda Historic Home & Garden It’s like stepping back in time to another era: history meets nature and arts and crafts. The home was built in 1861 and overlooks Castlemaine. You can take part in a tour through the historic home with one of Buda’s passionate volunteers, then enjoy a picnic lunch in the beautifully manicured heritage gardens. Grab some supplies from one of the various food vendors at The Mill precinct before you go, or pre-book a gourmet picnic hamper from Buda. There’s also a nursery on site for the avid gardeners out there.”

Dinner

“As music lovers ourselves, we are incredibly pleased that Castlemaine has a rock and roll pub which also serves fantastic food. Catering to a wide variety of diets, The Bridge Hotel has various dining nooks: a dining room which doubles as a band room, intimate booths and an expansive beer garden. The mushroom bao and popcorn cauliflower will not disappoint. The Bridge also serve local wines, cider and craft beer with beers from both Castlemaine breweries on tap.”

Drink

“For delicious craft brews you can’t go past Shedshaker Brewing, who’s Taproom is located within The Mill precinct. This lively and welcoming venue serves up fresh, handcrafted, small batch craft beers. Pair your drink with one of their shared plates, featuring local produce, or tuck into one of their famous pizzas. If visiting on a Friday or Sunday, you’ll also get to enjoy some live tunes.”

Acclaimed winery restaurant ‘Le Bouchon at Attwoods’ offers lunch Friday - Monday. Set 4 or 5 course seasonal menu, changing monthly, paired with Attwoods wines. Just 10 minutes from Daylesford.

Bookings essential