RUG UP AND GET READY FOR SOME OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Steve Wroe

My lovely wife always says ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices’. And while we love the cooler months up here, sometimes we need to pop on a jacket and beanie! Whether it’s a gentle stroll, a challenging hike, a quiet cycling trail or a technical mountain bike track, we have loads of great options to get into nature.

We love hiking around Mount Franklin’s awesome volcanic crater, exploring Hanging Rock, and walking the Goldfields Track with our young girls. But really, the options are almost endless.

Walks Macedon Regional Park

Over 400 species of native plants have been recorded in the Macedon Regional Park and more than 200 species of birds and a wide variety of mammals can be found here, including koalas, kangaroos, swamp wallabies, wombats, possums and gliders. Discover them as you traverse the 30 kilometres of walking trails. Attractions along the way include the Memorial Cross Reserve, The Camels Hump rock formation and Sanatorium Lake.

HANGING ROCK RESERVE (NGANNELONG)

The iconic Hanging Rock Reserve offers a variety of walks for all fitness levels. Choose from The Pinnacle Trail, Base Walking Trail or Creek Walking Trail. Be sure to visit the Hanging Rock Discovery Centre, which provides a fascinating background on the history, mystery and geology of the Rock. Reward yourself with a treat from the Hanging Rock Café at the end of your explorations.

RIDES / WALKS

Goldfields Track

The Goldfields Track is an historic point to point 210 km track stretching from Ballarat to Bendigo, through some of the region’s most historic towns and beautiful forests, including Creswick, Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and Castlemaine. The track was constructed by gold seekers over 150 years ago and today is well known amongst cyclers and walkers. Keen mountain bikers and history buffs love the ‘Dry Diggings’ section from the Chocolate Mill in Dry Diggings through to Vaughan Springs and on to Castlemaine.

DOMINO TRAIL

The Domino Rail Trail is a family-friendly 12km return walk from Lyonville to Trentham (or vice versa). It takes about three hours, following the old railway line from the disused heritage listed Trentham railway station into the Wombat Forest. It is a smooth, wide, all weather trail suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders and it is pet friendly…please keep your four-legged friend on a leash though.

Rides

WOMBAT FOREST

Near Woodend, you’ll discover 100km of purpose-built mountain bike single track winding through beautiful forest. Built by the local Wombat Mountain Bike Club, the trails suit beginner to expert riders and are accessible year-round, but best avoided after heavy rainfall.

FEDERATION TRAIL

A fantastic option for families, the 16 kilometre

Federation Trail loops between Romsey and Lancefield. Enjoy expanses of rolling farmland, and treat yourself at one of Lancefield or Romsey’s cafés or restaurants. Start and finish at the Lions Park Reserve, Romsey.

LA LARR BA GAUWA (HARCOURT)

Best for experienced mountain bikers, but with easier trails for beginners as well, this is a world-class destination for riders. Expertly built by the team at DirtArt, the trails make the most of the hilly, granite countryside. Believe me, this is mountain bike heaven.

CRESWICK

Creswick is positioning itself as the next mountain biking mecca. The newly-built pump track in town is arguably Australia’s best, there are many great cross country options such as the RACV Goldfields Resort track, and construction of a top-notch 60km trail network has just kicked off.

Golf

The Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region is a hidden golfing mecca, home to an impressive selection of notable golf courses, set against stunning bush settings – many of which are home to mobs of kangaroos. The RACV Goldfields Resort Golf Course is an 18 hole, 72 par championship course designed by renowned golf course architect Tony Cashmore. Hepburn Springs Golf Club is one of the prettiest and best conditioned courses in the area, while Trentham Golf Club and Woodend Golf Club both feature tree lined fairways amidst a bush setting. Further south, the Gisborne Golf Club is recognised as one of the best in the area.