Reasons to Get Lost in Winter...

COMPILED BY JESSICA WALSH

Words In Winter

Words in Winter is a literary and arts festival held in August in the Hepburn Shire and surrounding districts. Words in Winter is a celebration of words, stories and ideas in all their forms shared by locals and visiting presenters through readings, poetry, theatre, music, talks, workshops, visiting authors, and exhibitions.

A sensory feast of community and beyond.

Come dip into the warmth of words in winter

25, 26 & 27 August 2023 wordsinwinter.com

2023 A feast of music

MCO's chamber music festival in the heart of Victoria's spa country features the orchestra and stars of chamber music over five events, including a musical dinner at Hotel Bellinzona.

DAYLESFORD | HEPBURN SPRINGS

Sat 09/09/23 - Sun 10/09/23, Daylesford Town Hall | Hotel Bellinzona mco.org.au/whats-on/

Winter Sounds

From the soaring St Peter's Church to the grand town halls of Daylesford and Clunes, the villages of Glenlyon and Bullarto and aboard the Spa Country Railway, Winter Sounds is bringing some of Australia's finest artists to extraordinary spaces across Dja Dja Wurrung country this August.

17, 18, 19 & 20 August 2023 www.wintersounds.com.au

BOREALIS on the lake

A breathtaking blend of technology and art, witness unique auroras projected across Lake Daylesford through colour, movement, density of light beams and changing weather.

Be transported to a place faraway, where time slows down as eyes look up, immersed in the wonder and magic of Borealis. Created by Switzerland-based artivist Dan Acher and set to a tranquil soundtrack by French musician Guillaume Desbois, Borealis on the Lake is a place where strangers come together and connect beyond their differences – where the landscape becomes a playground to explore belonging and community.

20 July - 1st October borealisau.com

RESTAURANTS, CAFE'S & FOOD STORES

BAD HABITS CAFE 5348 3211

7 Daly St, Daylesford. Open daily, 10am-4pm. Enjoy a light morning or afternoon tea, or a substantial breakfast or lunch. theconventgallery.com.au

HEPBURN GENERAL STORE 102 Main Rd Hepburn Springs.

Open 7 day from 7am. (Sundays 8am) hepburngeneralstore.com.au

WINERIES, DISTILLERIES & CIDERIES

ANIMUS DISTILLERY

5403 2431

1/89A Piper St, Kyneton. Artisan gin distillery. Open 12-Late Wed to Sun. Mon and Tues open by appointment. animusdistillery.com

BIG TREE DISTILLERY 1300 040 573

Producing Award Winning Farm Crafted Gin Distillery Tasting Room open most weekends and Mondays. bigtreedistillery.com.au

WINE BARS, HOTELS & BOTTLE SHOPS

FARMERS ARMS DAYLESFORD

5348 2091

1 East Street, Daylesford. Open 7 days lunch & dinner. Hotel and accommodation. thefarmersarms.com.au

FOXXY'S AT CELLARBRATIONS 5348 3577

55 Vincent St Daylesford. Open 7 Days until late. Local and international wines, beers and spirits. cellarbrations.com.au

GALLERIES & STUDIOS

BULLARTO GALLERY 0408 529 725 962 Daylesford

Trentham Rd Bullarto Beautiful space and works Open 10-4pm Sat & Sun or via appointment @phillip.edwards.artist

Venues

PALAIS-HEPBURN 5348 1000

PALAIS-HEPBURN

5348 1000 New chef serving up Modern Australian cuisine in a luxurious setting.

Open Thu 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am, Dinner from 5pm-9.30pm palais-hepburn.com

SAULT 5348 6555 2439 Ballan-Daylesford Rd, Sailors Falls. Seasonal Modern Australian dishes in a scenic homestead. Dinner Wed-Sun. Lunch Fri-Sun. sault.com.au

SWISS MOUNTAIN HOTEL 5345 7006

3454 Midland Hwy, Blampied. Pub meals & Functions. Dinner TuesSan. Lunch Wed-Sun. Closed Monday. swissmountainhotel.com.au

THE VIRGIN CAFE 5348 2271 77 Main Road Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days from 8am. Part café, part gallery. Enjoy some of the finest culinary delights in Victoria. bellinzona.com.au

DAYLESFORD CIDER

5348 2275

155 Dairyflat Rd, Musk. Craft Cider, Tastings, Lunch & cellar-door sales. Online reservations, visit website for info on opening hours daylesfordcider.com.au

PASSING CLOUDS

5348 5550

30 Roddas Lane, Musk. Winery open daily 10am5pm. Lunch 12pm Fri-Mon (bookings are essential). passingclouds.com.au

ADVERTISE

YOUR BUSINESS IN THE REGION'S LARGEST CIRCULATING MAGAZINE

FOR A CURRENT MEDIA KIT CALL 5348 2008 FOUND@LOSTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

RED HARE WINERY 0499 607 609

Boutique vineyard & cellar door. 1225 Daylesford Malmsbury Rd, Denver

Open Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon 11.00 - 4.30 redhareestate.com.au

THE LOBBY BAR 5348 2271

77 Main Road Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days from 5pm until late. Swing by and settle in for the evening. bellinzona.com.au

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

PORTAL 108 5348 4353 108 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs

Clothing, shoes, handbags, designer pet gear, homewares and jewellery portal108.com.au

Services

Serving up the best cocktails in the shire. Selected French and local wines. Boutique bottle shop. Thu 5pm11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am Dinner from 5pm-9:30pm palais-hepburn.com

THE FARM DAYLESFORD 0406 690 775

Daylesford's newest event space. Built from recycled tin, wood, striking power poles and 160 year old trusses. thefarmdaylesford.com.au

OZ-TRANS 0407 697 877

Professional removals, general, furniture & produce freight. Art, piano's, pallets & parcels. Regular runs to Melbourne, Geelong & west/central Vic oztrans.com.au

SIGNSATION 0427 425 577

We specialise in hand painted signs and murals. We also offer the most up to date methods in digital printing to our customers. signsation.net.au

Accommodation

THE AMALFI

5348 2008

A beautiful self-contained property featuring 20 en-suited guest rooms, commercial kitchen and conference spaces. thehousesdaylesford.com

HOTEL BELLINZONA

5348 2271

77 Main Rd Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days.

Bespoke accommodation in the heart of Hepburn Springs. bellinzona.com.au

PARKSTONE REAL ESTATE

9115 7328

Shop 6/22-24 Howe Street, Daylesford. Real Estate Sales & Property Management. Servicing Daylesford, Castlemaine & the Macedon Ranges. parkstonerealestate.com.au

THE OXFORD 5348 2008

Historical property catering to large groups of up to 24, in the scenic Hepburn Springs area. thehousesdaylesford.com

PEPPERS HOTEL

5348 2202

124 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days. 1930's Daylesford hotel, transformed into a deluxe retreat. mineralspringshotel.com.au

THE HOUSES DAYLESFORD

5348 2008

Office located at 3 Howe St Daylesford. Full service agency specialising in corporate retreats and both large & small groups. thehousesdaylesford.com

THE TRAIN 5348 2008

Thoughtfully converted train carriage for two guests on a private block, only 5-min walk from Lake Daylesford. Pet friendly. thehousesdaylesford.com

WOMBAT EDGE 5348 2008

A beautiful and modern country home for up to 11 guests. Set on 10 acres with a lake, and only 15 minutes from Daylesford. thehousesdaylesford.com

THE GARDEN HOUSE

5348 2008

You could easily forget that you are so close to Daylesford’s thriving town centre, when inside these remarkable grounds. thehousesdaylesford.com

LEWELLYN HOUSE

5348 2008

Accommodateing 18 guests with 9 bedrooms & 9 ensuites. Positioned opposite The Convent Gallery. thehousesdaylesford.com

Leonie Keynes

1.Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do? After a successful 28-year career in the Aviation Industry, I now work 2 jobs in Daylesford - Admin for the Catholic Churches of Daylesford & Creswick, and Casual Customer Experience o cer for the Hepburn Shire, where I am often at the Visitor Information Centre on weekends.

3. What do you love about Daylesford and our community?

Located in a picturesque region of Victoria, just a stone’s throw away from Melbourne to me lies the epitome of serenity. The moment I exit the freeway, inhale the crisp pure air, I feel instantly at ease, away from the chaos of the bustling city. The elegant harmony of nature, history, art, charming cafes & restaurants, bountiful fresh produce, and wine make for an appealing and relaxed way of living. Moreover, the community is welcoming, supportive, and diverse, which I enjoy being part of.

4. Tell us an interesting Visitor Info Centre happening – something out of the ordinary you have experienced?

I recall a gentleman who walked in with an eagerness to visit the hot springs. Although this is common inquiry, he was insistent that he had reached the Mornington Peninsula. He showed me his GPS device and phone, both of which showed ‘Mornington Peninsula’ as his destination. Despite delicately pointing out his current location on a map of Victoria, he remained unconvinced, & a tad exasperated with me. Subsequently, he requested information on the nearest beach, which I happily obliged showing him on a map and wished him well. Having been in customer service and training it for a long time, I am familiar with handling some odd requests with good humour and patience.

5. If you were to be a tourist in our town, what would your weekend itinerary look like?

I would arrive Friday afternoon grab a co ee at Brew Jays and a stroll around either Lake Jubilee, Lake Daylesford, Hepburn Reserve or Botanical Gardens. Upon checking into my accommodation, I would get a massage from one of the many masseurs in town or a luxurious facial at Eko Skin Care Spa. Friday evening a drink at Daylesford Brewing Company before dinner at Frank & Connie’s Kitchen or Farmers Arms Hotel.

Early Saturday morning I would head to the Warm up Café in Mink St Daylesford to get a fantastic Smoothie Bowl. After that I would do a walking tour with Alice’s Journeys for a fascinating historic intro to the area, followed by a visit to the Museum & Mill Market. After a bite to eat at Harry’s Hepburn or Pancho, I would explore the Convent Gallery & the Black Gallery Daylesford for some art appreciation. Some shopping in Vincent Street then I would enjoy a decadent hot chocolate at the Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company. Dinner would be at Radio Springs Hotel, Beppe or Royal Hotel and then I would head to The Palais for some live music.

Sunday Morning a visit to the Sunday Markets then brunch at either Cli ys, Wombat Hill Café or Virgin Café. A drive to Lavandula, Chocolate Mill or a visit to Daylesford Cidery, Herbal Lore or one of our many wineries in the region.