Omg… Daylesford! Not only is there an abundance of wellness-generating mineral springs on offer, every corner you turn is another beautiful setting – be it a lush garden, glistening lake, amazing historical building or a charming art gallery – wherever you look, there’s beauty to behold!
That’s why I think Daylesford is the perfect place to get away when you need an escape from the craziness of day to day life. There are so many places that make you just want to stop and ponder – something you rarely do in real life – just ponder. I never see a mum at school drop-off that has spent the afternoon pondering anything…. who the hell has time for that?!
This little town has the amazing power to slow you down, you just start doing everything at half-pace. You will actually order a coffee and sit there and enjoy every mouthful, rather than run off to your next meeting with half a cup still in your oesophagus worrying about those few splashes down the front of your shirt.
The other thing about Daylesford is it’s an ‘all-year-rounder’. Any time of the year, the scenery is spectacular, particularly Autumn, and you’ll be equally happy on a deck by the lake in Summer or next to an open fire in a cosy lodge in Winter. Glorious 365 days of the year.
So back to the mineral springs – Hepburn Springs and the Daylesford area holds more than 80% of Australia’s known mineral spring reserves. This place is swimming in the stuff – haha. Drink it or bathe in it, the list of benefits is impressive:
- ease joint pain
- lower your blood-pressure
- ease skin ailments, rashes, eczema,
- de-stress
- detox
- super-charge your immune system
- increase your brain activity (hallelujah)
The list goes on… Given that mineral springs have been worshipped by many people, all over the world since ancient times, there has to be something in it, right?
So once you’ve been mineralised inside and out, there’s plenty more for you to see in Daylesford. So bloody much, I don’t know where to start, but for me it was a bit of a thrill to..
- Check out David Bromley’s gallery
- Chill out at the Boat House café by the lake
- Visit the beautiful Convent Gallery
- Wander through Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens
- Lunch at Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm (see my write-up on the magic of Lavender)
So much to see, not to mention the numerous little nooks and crannies of nature we came across, which were magical.
We stayed at an awesome hotel in Hepburn Springs – Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel. I really felt like we’d ‘escaped’ at this place. The magnificent building has been restored to it’s former Art Deco glory and just feels so warm and welcoming.
The reception, lounge and library at the front of the complex is full of the cosiest chairs and sofas, well-placed fire places and attentive staff, you’ll never want to leave… and if you can drag yourself off the sofa into the restaurant you will not be disappointed, in fact you’ll be in heaven!
Don’t forget to book yourself into the spa while you’re there – the baths in the retreat looking over the manicured gardens are a perfect treat – you deserve it!
So there you have it – Daylesford – I could go on forever about why you should visit this place to bring the Zen back into your life, so just trust me and give it a go.
If you want to make a weekend (or week) of it, there are a zillion different options for accommodation, so I suggest you hook up with www.dayget.com.au who offer a range of different options from luxury romantic getaways, group accommodation or glamour camping. They have a very knowledgeable team who can find the right property to suit your needs.
Peace and love travellers – you’ll find it in Daylesford. xx
