| Less than an hour away from Melbourne and nestled between Broadford and Hepburn Springs, you’ll become immersed in the riches of the region – sensuous spas, scrumptious food and fine wine, and off-the-beaten-track discoveries.
Although the easy pace and scenic beauty are tonics in themselves, the simplest massage or spa at the hands of a local professional is as likely to open your minds as the pores of your skin. Many of the region’s health and wellness venues are also renowned for their accommodation. Built in 1935, Peppers Spring Retreat has been painstakingly restored in a fusion of art deco and contemporary furnishings, while the Lake House’s offers luxury waterfront lodgings and an internationally recognised restaurant. For something different, revel in the delights of Swallow Cottage and the mystery enveloped in nearby Hanging Rock.
Spoil your palate with the exquisite local cuisine. The region’s repute for culinary and wine excellence continues to expand and the area is teeming with distinguished restaurateurs, chefs, sommeliers, baristas, winemakers and producers. Enjoy the fruits of their labour at cellar doors, farm gates, in cafes and restaurants and at the many farmers markets scattered throughout the region. If shopping wets you appetite, forage through the antique stores of Daylesford, Lancefield, Woodend, Kyneston and the quaint single-street village of Trentham. There are also all types of craftsmen and artists who open their studio doors to the public.
You can even lace up your walking boots and traipse some of the region’s trail tracks or gardens. Stumble for days and not see another soul in the Lerderderg State Park, or amble through some of Victoria’s most stunning properties.
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