|
|
|
Home>About the Shire>Daylesford & Hepburn Springs
|  | | |
| The towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs reflect the character of their earliest heritage when Swiss-Italian miners and other immigrants settled in the area and people travelled from afar to “take the waters”.
The Djadja Wurrung people were the first inhabitants of the region and these people occupied most of central Victoria.
Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, the area boasts the highest concentration of mineral springs in the country together with an equally large array of therapists.
Holistic health services, provided in conjunction with the mineral springs and spas, continue the region’s long tradition as a place of healing.
The redevelopment of the Hepburn Springs Bathhouse, a state icon, is expected to be complete at the end of 2007.
The new north wing will include a new relaxation pool, a salt pool, steam room and much more while the refurbished south wing will include baths, therapy rooms, just to name some of the start-of-the-art features.
The revitalised Bathhouse will provide additional employment and will have significant economic flow-on benefits for other businesses.
The updated facility is expected to further enhance the Shire’s status as the ‘spa capital’ for visitors locally and overseas.
There is also a host of private quality spa and natural therapy centres to choose from with over 50 different natural therapies available in the area.
Some of the high quality tourism attractions include the renowned, multi award winning Convent Gallery, Lake House Restaurant, Peppers Springs Retreat and Lavendula Lavender farm.
Locally grown produce, including a flourishing wine industry have assured the area’s reputation as offering the finest in elegant gourmet dining or the simplest of casual café society.
Daylesford’s weekly Sunday market at the old railway station is also a must for visitors and locals. Stalls sell everything from fresh fruit, vegies and other local produce to clothing, plants, oils, soap, antiques and old wares.
On Sundays the Central Highlands Tourist Railway operates a Sunday vintage railway service through the Wombat Forest to Bullarto and return.
The Farmers Market on the first Saturday of the month at Victoria Park has over 40 stalls of home grown and local produce.
There are numerous sites to visit in Daylesford and its surrounds including mineral springs dotted throughout the region including six in the Hepburn Spring Mineral Reserve, the Deep Creek Mineral Spring near Eganstown 8kms from Daylesford, two located at Sailors Falls 8kms south of Daylesford and the Tipperary Spring 3kms from Daylesford and several more at Central Springs Reserve.
There are also the town’s beautiful lakes, including Jubilee Lake and Lake Daylesford.
Also magnificent is Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens where planting commenced in 1861.
The Gardens offers spectacular views and fascinating plants including begonias and enormous historic trees with many registered as Significant Trees including Blue Cedar, Elm, Birch ,Cedar and Oak.
For those interested in the rich history of the town, there is the Historical Society Museum to visit.
The natural beauty of the area and its period character have drawn a widening artistic community, providing visitors and the community with performing and visual arts by artists of national and international repute.
While tourism appears to play a major role in the area’s economy, there are many more traditional types of commercial enterprises.
Organic food production and horticulture are also growing areas of the economy.
Community facilities include a secondary college, three primary schools, Fire Brigade, Hospital, Health Centre, Museum, Churches, Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre and the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre which provides a range of services to the community including internet and PC access, visiting services, workshops and much more. (For full details of courses and facilities refer to below link).
Residents and visitors are drawn to the area for its beauty, culture, diversity and geographical places of interest.
For more information on the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs area, please contact
The Hepburn Shire Council
The Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre
Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre
| |
| |
|