Art & Culture

By on Dec 8, 2011 in Art & Culture |

The Convent Gallery at Daylesford has wonderful art to peruseIndulge your artistic side in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, and if you’re not creative, a trip to the region could inspire your inner artist. Discover the art and culture of the region.

Home to artists of all kinds

Join other day-trippers seeking inspiration around Daylesford, home to painters, sculptors, ceramicists, metalworkers, glassblowers, print-makers and visiting artists.

An arty tour

Your art and culture tour will start with Daylesford’s Convent Gallery, featuring local art and occasional exhibitions by international artists.

Nearby Pantechnicon Gallery will get the creative juices flowing, or check out the Strawbale Gallery in Woodend and Lancefield’s Mad Gallery. Many artists open their studios to the public, so grab a souvenir that’s bound to appreciate – and be appreciated.

Culture and history

Your visits to farms, wineries, restaurants and galleries around Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges will have piqued your interest about local history and culture. Call into a specialist museum to discover how these vibrant communities got started and learn the stories of early settlers.

The arts and culture vibe in Daylesford is strong with a quirky sense of humour. Many galleries, restaurants and cafes feature local artist’s work, and crafts people can be seen in their studios or out and about the town.

The most famous is the Convent Gallery, which as the name suggests is a converted convent, which still retains the character and historical points of interest from it’s days as a convent, combined with stunning views over Daylesford and fabulous paintings and sculpture works.

Wandering around the gallery is far more interesting than the standard gallery, as you wind your way around there are glimpses of gorgeous scenery, well manicured gardens and a look in to the austere life of a nun. Don Wreford Glass Blowing studio gives a very different aspect of the arts, with the viewing studio located right in the workshop, so you may even be lucky enough to see him at work!

Daylesford – Queen of Victoria Holiday Towns

By on Nov 27, 2011 in Weekend Getaway, What's Happening | Leave a Comment
Is Daylesford a Queen?

 

By Steve `Grumpy’ Collins, on October 6th, 2011 in Grumpy’s Getaway Guide

Gorgeous views of Daylesford Lake south of Porcupine Ridge Estate, VIC Lake Daylesford, originally an idea by a Norwegian, Christian ChristensenDaylesford is a town where people go to get pampered.  A popular retreat in Victoria, it is particularly accessible for Melbournians, being only an hour and a half drive from the city.

The town is well known for its spas, which are possible because of the number of springs and mineral waters that are prevalent in the area.

Originally settled by Swiss-Italian miners, the area’s high rainfall allowed the original farmers to flourish.  Today, the local produce is a key feature of the Daylesford Sunday Markets which is held in Raglan St.

Visitors can also experience that Swiss-Italian heritage at the Lavendula Swiss Italian Farm.  This little taste of Italy is just 10 minutes north of Daylesford. Originally built in the 1860s, Lavandula’s 1860s sandstone farm buildings sit in a beautiful open garden.

From the café La Trattoria, the view of lavender fields, olive grove and a vineyard make it the truly relaxing location for a glass of local wine and an antipasto. Another type of market is the Mill Market in Central Springs Road and it’s a collector’s dream, featuring Australia’s largest mix of antiques and collectables. Over 4,000 square metres.

The area around Daylesford is stunningly attractive, and one of the best views can be seen from the summit of nearby Mt. Macedon.  There are waterfalls, creeks and streams to enjoy, magnificent national parks and some of Victoria’s most attractive rural land to admire.

Daylesford Township is quite historic with many of its attractive buildings being well preserved.  There are some fine, well respected restaurants, and a number of interesting shops lining the streets.  One of the most interesting attractions in Daylesford is the Convent Gallery which, as the name suggests, is sequestered in a former convent.

The Convent now houses eight individual galleries, featuring new local and international artists every 8 weeks, the original restored chapel, a museum with the history of the building set up by the nuns themselves, retail selling one-off clothing and jewellery pieces, pottery, local wines and produce, a Mediterranean style cafe`,  There is even a wine bar in the old convent.

Daylesford Lake is picturesque, particularly in autumn when the trees which surround the lake form their autumn colours.  Daylesford Lake now has a cafe, a children’s playground, undercover barbeque with seating as well as paddleboats for hire on the weekends.

The town is well known for its pink tourism, which means that it caters to the gay community, although being gay is not an essential requirement for visiting the town.

It is the natural springs and mineral waters which are the main attraction, and there are over 100 spas and health retreats within a five kilometer radius of the town.  It is because Melbournians flock to Daylesford for a bit of pampering that the town really comes alive at weekends.  For this reason, you can get some really good mid-week packages at discount prices.

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