Follow the Treasure Trail

Gather up a Festival bounty of pies, tarts and tipples to enjoy within eight stunning leafy locations! Each of the highlighted Treasure Trail parks is home to a different clue. Collect all eight clues and enter the 2024 competition to be in the running for an amazing Autumn Festival Prize Package.

Festival Maps are available at Woodend Visitor Information Centre and participating venues.

Follow the Treasure Trail

Gather up a Festival bounty of pies, tarts and tipples to enjoy within eight stunning leafy locations! Each of the highlighted Treasure Trail parks is home to a different clue. Collect all eight clues and enter the 2024 competition to be in the running for an amazing Autumn Festival Prize Package.

Festival Maps are available at Woodend Visitor Information Centre and participating venues.

Malmsbury | The view is iconic

Malmsbury Botanic Gardens

The Autumn Festival Treasure Trail featured during the 2024 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, 5 April to 28 April. Entries to the competition have since closed.

Armed with a Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival Map & Passport (valid only 5 April to 28 April 2024) you’re all set to start your Treasure Trail journey.  Alternatively pick up a printed copy between 5 April and 28 April 2024 at the Woodend Visitor Information Centre or other participating collection points. 

Set across 6+ hectares of majestic native and exotic trees, Malmsbury Botanic Gardens is the perfect location to while away the hours as you progressively feast upon your Festival foodie finds.

Follow the path left and if luck is on your side you might even discover a Treasure Trail clue at a secret location that truly gives the impression of having stepped back in time.

While on location don’t miss the chance to set your picnic exclusively on your very own island, provided you don’t mind sharing it with some of the local feathered residents!

Onsite facilities include toilets, bbqs, and a playground.

Kyneton Stop 1 | Lose yourself amongst leafy giants

Kyneton Botanic Gardens

Discover winding paths, historic bluestone garden walls, pillowy green grass, towering trees and a fairy ring!  Not to mention also being home to a park within a park – Kyneton Community Park, an eye-catching nature-based and water-play space, ensuring the young at heart are kept busy for hours!

With ample room for the biggest of picnics, spread out on the pillowy green grass and savour your pie and tart haul surrounded by the beauty of Kyneton Botanic Gardens.

Remember to keep your eye on the prize, and look out for big red to collect that coveted Treasure Trail clue.

Onsite facilities include toilets and a bbq shelter.

Kyneton Stop 2 | A refreshing discovery

Kyneton Mineral Springs Reserve

Blink and you’ll miss it, but look a bit closer beyond the trees, and this humble hidden gem is anything but.

Kyneton Mineral Springs Reserve  features a large open shady reserve including two free mineral spring pumps, picnic tables, toilets, and everything you need, including a playground, making it easy for friends and family to gather and share Festival discoveries, food, and tipples.

And remember to keep a look out for your Festival Trail clue while on site, you might just find it is in a seriously rotund and refreshing location!

 

Woodend | A space oddity

Woodend Children's Park

With plenty of space for family activities of every kind, the Woodend Children’s Park is a central location ideal for rallying your Autumn Festival travel group, sharing your collection of pies and tarts, or just stretching out on the grass while the kids explore all the unique playspaces, including the iconic rocket slide.

With a cosmic Treasure Trail clue waiting to be discovered on-site, the Woodend Children’s Park is certainly worth a visit.

Facilities also include undercover bbqs and tables, and toilets a short walk away.

Gisborne | The whirl of adventure

Gisborne Adventure Playground

Situated alongside Botanic Gardens, the Gisborne Adventure Playground is a hub for locals and visitors alike amidst shady trees and parkland as far as the eye can see.

Set up your picnic on the rolling green grass, while the kids enjoy endless playground equipment.

And don’t forget the Treasure Trail competition. Tall, majestic and metallic, a local icon may catch wind of your arrival and could be the very key to your next Trail clue.

Facilities include bbq areas and toilets.

Riddells Creek | Take the path less travelled

Walter J Smith Reserve

Evidence of a bygone era can be found in picturesque Riddells Creek at the Walter J Smith Reserve (also known as Lake Park) on the Main Road.

Here you’ll find a formidable heritage-listed rail viaduct spanning Riddells Creek.  If you hope to avoid being clueless on this part of the Treasure Trail, the viaduct is certainly worth a visit; just take the path to the right after entering the gates.

The reserve is otherwise home to ducks and geese and shady trees.

It’s the perfect spot to spread a picnic blanket and take some time out to eat, drink and be merry during the 2024 Autumn Festival.

Facilities include picnic tables. The nearest public toilets are a short walk away in the Lions Park also on Main Road.

Romsey | Game of throne

Romsey Ecotherapy Park

Turn off Main Street onto Palmer Street, where a majestic collonade of trees signals your arrival at Romsey Ecotherapy Park.

This award-winning Park is all the more special being the result of a community-led initiative, delivering a unique nature-based play experience, along with many points of whimsical and sensory discovery.

Spread out a picnic on the green, and book in some time to discover the location of the on-site Treasure Trail clue.

Park facilities include bbqs, toilets, and a playground.

Lancefield | Home of the Megafauna

Lancefield Park Recreation Reserve

Upon arrival at Lancefield Park Recreation Reserve, veer left at the ticket booth to discover ample parking close to bbq facilities, an extensive playground framed by towering shady trees, just ripe for autumn picnics!

Look a bit further afield beyond the trees to discover the Megafauna Chainsaw Sculptures. Did you know that Lancefield Park is also home to many significant megafauna fossil discoveries?

Take time to explore and enjoy this charming outdoor hub.

And the sculptures might just prove to be mega helpful as you continue your quest to find the latest Treasure Trail clue.

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