Highlights
Enjoy four days of guided experience as you stretch your legs along sections of the famous Goldfields track and relax and unwind with local artisanal experiences in the afternoons and evenings
Explore Hanging Rock Reserve and Summit Track
Discover the Charming Town of Chewton and Surrounds
Walk the Dry Diggings Trail from Hepburn Springs to the Chocolate Mill
Explore Historical Fryerstown and walk to Spring Guilly
Discover the Indigenous Heritage of Guilford and its 1000 year old River Red Gum
Explore the Vibrant Artisan Precinct of Castlemaine including the Mill Complex
Discover the Three Lost Children Walk in the Wombat State Forest
Enjoy the walk from Sawpit Gully to Porcupine Ridge
Discover the Dormant Volcano of Mt Franklin
Relax and Unwind at the Renowned Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa
Visit the Convent Gallery in Daylesford
Visit the town of Lyonville and walk the Domino Rail Trail
Indulge in baked treats at the Red Beard Bakery in Trentham
Enjoy Healthy and Hearty Homestyle Meals Showcasing Regional Produce
Experience unique and luxurious accommodation at the historic Lewellyn House
Inclusions
Fully escorted - your Sisterhood Tour Hostess is on hand to ensure your trip is a memorable one
Return transportation from Melbourne
All local transportation as detailed in itinerary
Two experienced and accredited trek guides
All meals as detailed in itinerary
Snacks and morning tea provided during the walks
Antipasto platters provided pre dinner
All National Parks fees and passes
All specialty entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary
3 nights accommodation with private ensuites at the elegant and historic Lewellyn House
Willing to share option (subject to availability)
Friends For Company!
Notice
Challenging Fitness Rating - A high level of fitness is required for these tours. You can expect to participate in challenging walks for longer periods often on uneven and steep terrain. Prepare to be active for most of each day. You must be capable of boarding and disembarking coaches, trains and boats unaided and at times handle your luggage. For more information on our physical ratings please click here
The walk isapproximately 36km of relaxed walking on well-maintained trails around Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, and Castlemaine, our walk is designed to be enjoyed by most walkers with a reasonable level of fitness.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Friday 30 August 2024
Melbourne - Daylesford (L,D)
Walking distance 5km easy - moderate
After departing Melbourne, our journey takes us northwest to the idyllic village of Mt Macedon, where we'll pause for a morning tea break. Here, we'll have the chance to savor local baked treats and recharge before we proceed to Hanging Rock. Upon reaching Hanging Rock, we'll wind our way up the summit track, offering stunning panoramic vistas. we'll also have the opportunity to explore the discovery center, immersing ourselves in the Hanging Rock Reserve, we have approximately 2 to 3 hours to take in all the reserve has to offer. Continuing our journey from Hanging Rock, we continue northward to Chewton, commencing our exploration into the area's rich gold mining legacy. Within this historic setting, we'll traverse old water race tracks and encounter remnants and ruins from the bustling gold rush era. These leisurely walks through the dry eucalypt landscape will serve as our introduction to the Goldfields track. As we stroll through what was once a bustling mining village, our experienced guides will pause along the way to showcase relics, share insights, and facilitate discoveries. Before moving on to Daylesford, we unwind by the waterside. Upon arrival, we'll settle into our elegant accommodation, home for 3 nights. The evening presents a delectable two-course meal, thoughtfully prepared by your guides, allowing us to savor a well-deserved culinary experience.
Overnight: Lewellyn House
Day 2 - Saturday 31 August 2024
Hepburn Fryerstown Spring Gully and Castlemaine (B,L,D)
Walking distance 10km easy
Following a nourishing breakfast and the preparation of our lunch, we set off to Hepburn Springs, where an insightful 5km walk awaits us. Setting out along the trail from Hepburn Springs, we journey a segment of the historic Dry Diggings trail, leading us to the Chocolate Mill—a rendezvous point where our transport awaits. While we reserve our chocolate indulgence for a later, distinct chocolatier experience, our next destination is Fryerstown. After a drive from the Chocolate Mill, we partake in a walk to Spring Gully. This journey commences with time to explore Fryerstown and its historical buildings, including the Burke and Wills Mechanic Institute dating back to 1863. Reconnecting with the Dry Diggings track, we traverse open farmland and the rustic beauty of the box ironbark forest, passing by remnants of gold mining history—gullies, sluices, and mines—before reuniting with our transportation in Spring Gully. En route back to Castlemaine, we pause at Guildford for insights into the indigenous heritage of the region. Amidst this enlightening stop, we relish our packed lunch while marveling at an ancient River Red Gum that has gracefully stood for nearly 1000 years. This remarkable tree, honored as a tree of State significance on the National Trust Register, symbolises the profound connection between the community and its traditional custodians, the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal people. Later in the day, our path leads us northward to Castlemaine, where we dedicate time to explore the vibrant artisan precinct, The Mill. The former Castlemaine Woolen Mills established in 1875, is a rambling complex of brick factories and chimneys now housing artisans, food and wine outlets, vintage treasures, and an exceptional Austrian coffee house. Here we have our anticipated opportunity to taste some local chocolate and coffee while exploring the precinct. The evening culminates in the comfort of our accommodation, where we enjoy a two course meal prepared by your guides.
Overnight: Lewellyn House
Day 3 - Sunday 1 September 2024
Three Lost Children walk, Sawpit Gully to Porcupine Ridge, Mt Franklin & Hepburn (B,LD)
Walking distance 12km easy - moderate
After breakfast and assembling our lunch, we return to another segment of the Goldfields Track, this time within the Wombat State Forest. Our day's expedition begins with the Three Lost Children walk, guiding us through historical footprints and tales that continue to resonate to this day. A short journey from here, we embark along another stretch of the trail, meandering from Sawpit Gully to Porcupine Ridge. Each of these areas offers an immersive journey through the regional parks surrounding Daylesford, once a bustling goldfield is ripe for exploration. After lunch, our course leads us to the dormant volcano of Mt Franklin. This picturesque mountain is shrouded in coniferous forest, adorned with ornamental Silver Birch, White Poplar, Sycamore, and Californian Redwoods. We traverse the 2km circuit trail encircling the volcano's rim, culminating at a lookout providing panoramic views of the surrounding plains. Later in the day, our destination is the renowned Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, inviting us to unwind in the tranquil mineral springs pools. Since 1895, the Bathhouse has offered the timeless pleasure of communal bathing, boasting the Relaxation Pool and Spa Pool—both rejuvenating spaces harnessing the essence of mineral water to replenish and oxygenate, nurturing a profound sense of wellbeing. Following a period of leisure, we gather for a final group dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Lewellyn House
Day 4 - Monday 2 September 2024
Lake Daylesford, Domino Rail Trail and Trentham Falls (B,L)
Walking distance 9km easy-moderate
Following breakfast and lunch making, we gather our belongings and check out of our accommodation. Our final day of walking commences from Daylesford as we head to the Convent Gallery. Once known as the Holy Cross Convent and the home of a group of Presentation Sisters, the Convent Gallery has evolved since its establishment in 1991. This heritage complex now encompasses various galleries, bars, reception spaces, a museum, lush gardens, a gift shop, and a charming café, we have time this morning to meander at our own pace within this rich space. From here, our journey carries us homeward, with a pause in the charming town of Lyonville where we begin our 6km walk at the Domino Rail trail. Traverse a Special Protection Zone, delving into the habitat of the endangered Powerful Owl as we trail the former Trentham railway line—a vital conduit in times past, serving as a lifeline for the transportation of provisions, livestock, and timber within the region. Upon reaching the idyllic village of Trentham, our final destination is the revered Red Beard Bakery, offering a taste of living history. This bakery, with its original woodfired oven, harks back to a bygone era. The stalwart Scotch oven, employed continuously from 1891 to 1987, boasts a weight of 75 tonnes and the capacity to produce 600 loaves in a single firing. Since 2005, it has been crafting sourdough breads. An observatory window grants patrons a glimpse into the bakery's bustling operations. For afternoon tea we indulge in a treat from the bakery's offerings before commencing our journey back to Melbourne.
We thank you for joining us for your latest adventure and look forward to welcoming you on another one!