Woodend is a 19th century resort town just 60 minutes’ from Melbourne. Here you can stroll past historical buildings and the old clock tower on Main Street, cruise around local boutiques for antiques, enjoy an afternoon high tea at Campaspe House or a refreshing ale at the Holgate Brewhouse.
Pack a picnic lunch and climb nearby Hanging Rock, set of Peter Weir’s film Picnic at Hanging Rock. Explore the dramatic rock formations, native flora and fauna, and stop by the Hanging Rock Winery to sip its signature drop ‘Macedon Sparkling’.
Stock up on fresh produce at the Farmers’ Market, held on the first Saturday of each month, catch writers, musicians, dancers and cooks at the Woodend Winter Arts Festival in June, or visit the Woodend Children’s Festival, a fun-filled day of music, circus, dance and storytelling.
In and around Macedon and Mount Macedon you can visit glorious gardens, old-world mansions and nurseries.
Some of the area’s gardens are private, so time your visit for Open Gardens Scheme open days throughout the year for the chance to peek behind fences. For spectacular views and vistas of Melbourne, visit Mount Macedon’s famous Memorial Cross and lookout.
