RECREATION

Golf, tennis, bowls and horse racing are just some of the recreational activities offered in the Macedon Ranges

The Macedon Ranges offers a broad range of recreational activities, so even if you are on holiday, you won’t miss out on your favourite sport or activity.

The Kyneton District Racing Club offers 16 race meetings a year at the picturesque Kyneton Racecourse. Set on a bend in the Campaspe River on the outskirts of town and lined with 100 year old elms, the Kyneton Racecourse has been described as one of the most picturesque courses in the State. Hanging Rock also hosts race meets over summer (New Years Day and Australia Day) and thousands descend from all over the state for these fun and festive picnic events.

Like all rural communities, sport plays a huge part in the culture of the place – everyone plays something. Tennis courts and lawn bowls rinks can be found in all towns and the local clubs are more than happy to hire courts to visitors. Croquet fields can be found in Kyneton and Gisborne. Petanque is played at Hanging Rock, with the local club hosting the Australasian Championships in 2007.

Football and netball teams all over the Macedon Ranges play over winter and spring in various organised leagues. There is healthy competition between towns in the Macedon Ranges and parochial attitudes fill local pubs on Saturday nights.

If you are travelling with a fishing rod, the dam in the middle of Hanging Rock Racecourse, located within Hanging Rock Reserve, is regularly re-stocked, and this unique location is the home of the Woodend Angling Club. (Entry fees apply to the Reserve). Visitors are welcome to fish there.