What to Do in Daylesford & The Macedon Ranges This Spring

Spring unfurls across Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges with a riot of colour, scent, and sound — think golden daffodils swaying in the breeze, artisan stalls brimming with treasures, and creative workshops inviting you to get hands-on. Weekends pulse with pub runs along sunlit trails, live music in intimate halls, and markets where every bite, sip, and find feels like a small celebration.

Whether you’re exploring historic gardens, cycling past rolling hills, or sipping craft brews in reimagined taprooms, this guide captures the region at its most vibrant, playful, and utterly irresistible.

Get Your Hands Dirty: Creativity at The Old Auction House

Kyneton’s Old Auction House turns weekends into a playground for makers. Silver jewellery, printmaking, leadlighting, illustration, and card crafting spark curiosity at every turn. Kids can dive into school holiday programs or craft parties, while adults roll up sleeves in hands-on classes led by local artisans. The space buzzes with creativity — a perfect excuse to get messy, make something beautiful, and leave with a little tangible magic from the heart of the Macedon Ranges.

Malmsbury Village Farmers’ & Artists’ Market

Every third Sunday, Malmsbury Village comes alive with the Farmers’ & Artists’ Market, where local produce, handmade treasures, and irresistible aromas collide. Spread a picnic rug on the lush Village Green, sip coffee from The Stables, and grab pastries from the Malmsbury Bakery while kids chase ducks and dogs trot along. Winter and early spring move the market to the cricket ground — layer up, grab hot dumplings, chai, or brekkie, and soak up live tunes in this authentic country escape.

Every third Sunday of the month

Sun, 21st September, 9am to 1pm

Sun, 19th October, 9am to 1pm

Malmsbury Cricket Ground, Malmsbury

Hanging Rock Market

Spend a sunlit day at Hanging Rock Market, where artisan stalls, gourmet bites, and sweeping views make wandering irresistible. Browse handcrafted treasures, nibble on fresh delights, and stretch out a picnic rug as the iconic rock rises above. Families, friends, and market lovers alike can soak up the relaxed, community vibe while taking in Victoria’s striking landscapes. Gravel, grass, and a little uneven charm only add to the adventure — a brilliant excuse to shop, snack, and savour the Macedon Ranges in style.

Saturday 25th October, 9am to 2pm

Hanging Rock, South Rock Road, Woodend

Pub to Pub Fun Run 2025

Lace up, Macedon Ranges: the Pub to Pub Fun Run is back, where movement meets mischief. Wander, jog, or sprint along the car-free Federation Trail from Romsey to Lancefield (or double it if you’re feeling ambitious), with distances for all ages — even tiny two-year-old legs in the Junior Bolt. Every finisher claims a coveted Pub to Pub Beer Glass trophy, and perhaps a new personal best.

Post-run, reward yourself with a sizzling BBQ, local beer, and the sunlit scenery that makes the Ranges feel like the world’s friendliest finish line.

Sunday 21st September, 8:30am to 12pm

Get your tickets here

The Lancefield Hotel, High Street, Lancefield

Clare Bowditch in Concert at Kyneton Town Hall

This October, Kyneton Town Hall hosts a rare treat: Clare Bowditch in Concert, sharing brand-new songs, beloved classics, and a few unexpected adventures. Joined by the impossibly tall multi-instrumentalist Martin W Brown, Clare’s intimate duo show promises laughter, sing-alongs (optional, but tempting), and stories that linger long after the last note. Part ARIA-winning musician, part storyteller, Bowditch weaves warmth, wit, and a dash of mischief into every performance — an evening for locals and visitors alike to soak in music, charm, and a little Macedon magic.

Sun, 12th October, 4pm to 6:15pm

Kyneton Town Hall

Art in the Vines 25/26 Long Lunch at Hanging Rock Winery

Spring arrives at Hanging Rock Winery with a flourish for the Art in the Vines Long Lunch. Wander three acres of lawns dotted with over 25 sculptures, guided by curator Malcolm Thomson and the artists themselves, while live jazz from So Saxy drifts through the air. After the stroll, settle under the all-weather marquee for a three-course feast by FED Catering, paired with award-winning wines and generous conversation.

Crisp sparkling, bold reds, laughter, clinking glasses — it’s a day where art meets appetite, friends meet stories, and the magic of the Macedon Ranges is felt in every sunlit corner.

Saturday 18th October, 11:30am to 4:30pm

Book your spot here

Hanging Rock Winery, 88 Jim Road, Newham

Grain Reimagined: Daylesford’s Taproom Gets a Fresh Twist

Daylesford’s beloved neighbourhood taproom has had a glow-up, and it’s dazzling. Grain, the freshly reimagined heartbeat of Daylesford Brewing Co, pairs rustic charm with sleek comfort, serving all-day brunch, elevated casual bites, and house beers that feel like liquid sunshine. Warm communal tables, polished textures, and a bar always ready with local wines, cocktails, or coffee set the scene. From hearty grain bowls and gourmet sandwiches to their famous burgers, Grain invites locals and visitors to linger, sip, and rediscover Daylesford with a little extra sparkle.

97 Vincent Street, Daylesford 

Djuwang Baring – A Mountain Biker’s Paradise

Creswick’s Djuwang Baring has arrived as Victoria’s newest mountain biking playground — 60 kilometres of flowing trails carved through the forests, valleys, and ridgelines of Dja Dja Wurrung Country. From first-timers to seasoned riders chasing thrills, every track offers a new challenge and a fresh way to ride the land. Adventure starts the moment your tyres hit the dirt.

Moore Street, Creswick

Quiet Sanctuary Bathing at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

For those craving stillness, Hepburn Bathhouse now offers Quiet Sanctuary Bathing — an adults-only, technology-free haven devoted to calm. Slip into mineral-rich waters, surrender to silence, and let time slow in this cocoon of gentle luxury. It’s bathing reimagined for pure restoration.

Fridays and Saturdays, 6pm to 9pm

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, Hepburn Springs

Bolobek Garden Fair

One of Victoria’s most beautiful gardens plays host to a weekend of horticultural splendour this spring. From 4th to 5th October, the gates of Bolobek open for its annual Garden Fair, an event that draws green thumbs, garden dreamers, and the simply curious to the foothills of Mount Macedon. Wander among 50+ specialist stallholders, hear from guest speakers, and stroll through the storied Bolobek grounds, a place of rare heritage and beauty. More than a fair, it’s a celebration of growth, creativity, and community.

4th to 5th October

Book tickets here

370 Mount Macedon Road, Macedon

Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival

Spring in the Macedon Ranges wouldn’t be complete without the return of the Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival. For ten days in September, the town bursts into “Fields of Gold” for ten days of daffodils, art, performance, gardens, and good old-fashioned country fun. Expect everything from open gardens, art exhibitions, and the Daffodil Art Prize to ferret racing, roller disco nights, and the much-loved Grand Parade. With markets, workshops, and local talent on show, it’s a festival that captures the true spirit of spring in Kyneton.

5th to 14th September

Buy tickets and see the program here

Kyneton, Victoria

Kyneton Antique Fair

Spring in Kyneton blooms with more than daffodils — the 27th Kyneton Antique Fair returns this September, filling Quambi Stadium with treasures from a bygone era. Around 25 dealers will showcase fine china, jewellery, linen, furniture, glassware, and rare finds from across the globe, all under one roof. Pair your browsing with on-site refreshments, then explore gardens and galleries as part of the Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival.

Entry is $8 for adults, with funds supporting communities in Timor-Leste. A weekend of stories, style, and spring discoveries.

6th to 7th September, 9am to 4pm, 10am to 4pm

94 High Street, Kyneton

Budburst Wine Festival

Wine lovers, mark your diary. On 15th to 16th November, the Macedon Ranges throws open its cellar doors for Budburst — a once-a-year celebration of cool-climate wine at its most expressive. More than 20 winemakers across 15+ venues will pour rare drops, share stories, and plate up regional produce in a festival of flavour and connection.

From icons of the region to small family-run vineyards, this is where you sip, linger, and discover wines you’ll never find on a shop shelf. Just under an hour from Melbourne, Budburst is a weekend to lose yourself in.

15th to 16th November, 10am to 5pm

Book here

Macedon Ranges, Victoria

Spring Recharge: Yoga, Feasts, and Slow Country Luxury with Warrior One Yoga

Escape to Daylesford this October for a Spring Renew Retreat designed to restore, reconnect, and recharge. Set within the historic charm of Lewellyn House, this adult-only sanctuary offers nine ensuite rooms, rustic furnishings, sunlit spaces, and a vibe that whispers, “slow down, you’re home.” Mornings flow through energising Vinyasa and restorative Yin yoga, sound baths, and mindfulness practices, while afternoons invite long lunches, therapeutic workshops, or indulgent spa escapes in Victoria’s famous spa country.

Every meal from Aliza at Shakti Fresh is a seasonal plant-based feast — from colourful breakfast bowls to nourishing dinners. Evenings brim with sunset flows, closing circles, laughter, and shared stories. By Sunday, you’ll leave with a deep exhale, a happy belly, and a heart full of inspiration, carrying the calm of the Macedon Ranges back into everyday life.

24th to 26th October, 2025

Book here

Lewellyn House, Daylesford

Kyneton Springs Motel – Retro Glam Rooms Are Back

Kyneton Springs Motel has turned the dial up on retro cool, unveiling six new rooms that marry Palm Springs glamour with Aussie road-trip spirit. Bold colours, playful details and a wink of nostalgia set the tone — more cheeky cocktail hour than cookie-cutter stay. For travellers who like their getaways with character, charm and a dash of fun, these rooms deliver a refreshingly offbeat kind of luxury.

101 Piper Street, Kyneton

From forest trails to serene retreats and bustling local markets, Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges serve up everything you need for a memorable spring escape. For more Victorian travel inspiration, explore these dreamy travel dupes and charming romantic escapes.

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

18 August 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.