Daylesford & Hepburn Springs: Sunday market, the Convent and mineral baths

1. Daylesford Sunday Market~1 h 15 min at the stop

Up to 130 stalls around the station: farm produce, flowers and plants, handmade crafts, antiques and bric-a-brac. It is run by the heritage Daylesford Spa Country Railway.

Tip: Sundays only, 8 am–1 pm, gold coin entry. Best pickings before 10. Bring cash and a bag; leashed dogs are welcome.

↓ drive · 4 min · 2.3 km

2. Peace Mile walk, Lake Daylesford~45 min at the stop

An easy loop around the lake on gravel paths and boardwalks, about 40 minutes, with views over the water, the jetty and the boathouse. From the spillway a spur leads down to Central Springs Reserve.

Tip: Start at The Boathouse Cafe. The extension along Wombat Creek to Sutton Spring follows the Goldfields Track: check Parks Victoria for track closures first.

↓ drive · 4 min · 2.1 km

3. The Convent Gallery Daylesford~1 h 15 min at the stop

A 19th-century building on top of Wombat Hill that was a convent and boarding school for almost 90 years. Today its four levels hold seven galleries, a museum, a chapel, gardens, the Bad Habits Cafe and the Altar Bar.

Tip: Thursday–Monday 10 am–4 pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Adult A$10, concession A$8, child under 12 A$5.

↓ walk · 3 min · 0.2 km

4. Wombat Hill House~1 h at the stop

A café inside Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens with its own kitchen garden: brunch and lunch under the old elms, toasties, croissants and sourdough from the Dairy Flat Farm bakehouse.

Tip: Daily 8 am–3 pm, kitchen closes 2:15 pm, drinks and baked goods until 3 or sold out. No bookings; sit in the kitchen garden or the covered courtyard.

↓ drive · 9 min · 5.8 km

5. Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve~40 min at the stop

A shady creek valley where the Locarno, Soda, Sulphur and Wyuna mineral springs rise: work the hand pumps and compare the tastes, from fizzy to sulphurous.

Worth knowing: Created in 1865, it was Australia's first mineral springs reserve.

Tip: Free. Bring empty bottles to fill. Picnic areas, barbecues and a playground are close by.

↓ walk · 2 min · 0.1 km

6. Hepburn Pavilion Cafe~30 min at the stop

A heritage-listed 1908 Edwardian pavilion with stained glass, tiled floors and a vaulted ceiling. The signature Devonshire tea: fresh scones with house-made jam and whipped cream.

Tip: Saturday and Sunday 9 am–4 pm, weekdays 10 am–4 pm; Devonshire tea all day. If you book the bath package, the tea is included.

↓ walk · 2 min · 0.12 km

7. Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa~1 h 30 min at the stop

A mineral-springs bathhouse operating since 1895: a communal pool of pure natural mineral water drawn straight from the source. The best way to end the day before the drive home.

Tip: Sunday 9 am–7 pm; book online. Bring swimwear, slip-on shoes and a water bottle. The Bathhouse Mineral Bathing & Devonshire Tea package is from A$66.