Before heading off on your hike, drop by one of Kyneton’s fantastic bakeries for a pie or two and a cheeky sweet pastry. Just the thing for a bushwalk picnic.

Country Cob Bakery is the National Winner of Australia’s Best Pie competition for 2018, 2019 and 2020. They even bake gluten-free and vegan pies.

If traditional British pastries are more your cup of tea, drop by the Piper St Food Co. and treat yourself to one of their tasty (and famous) pork pies.

Monsieur Pierre also does great coffee, delicious pies, baguette sandwiches and seriously good sweets.

Black Hill Reserve is a short drive from Kyneton’s township. Spread across 260 acres of rare bushland, you’ll find spectacular granite rock formations and stunning views from the top of the ridge.

There are a number of well-defined trail options available depending on your fitness level.

Circuit Track: A gentle 3.9 km walk with only a few inclines. You might find it easier to walk in a counter-clockwise direction. A picnic table is provided halfway around the track, below the large Monolith rock in the north-east corner. It’s a beautiful view out to endless green pastures and grazing cattle and sheep.

Ridge Track: A more strenuous 2.7 km walk with some steep sections and well over 250 steps along the way.  You will encounter lots of rock formations, huge granite boulders sculpted by erosion, particularly around Cave Rocks and the Eastern Lookout. Many hikers choose to have their picnic atop one of the flat stretches of rock on the ridge with views for miles.

Revegetated Area Track: An easy 1.7 km walk popular for kangaroos seeking shade in hot weather.

Directions: Follow Edgecombe Road north from Kyneton for approximately 5km and turn right into Ennis Road.  Follow this gravel road for around 500 meters to the entrance to the reserve where parking is available.

Please Note: Dogs are very welcome as long as they are on a lead at all times, for the safety of the wildlife and other visitors.

After you’ve released many happy endorphins with a good bushwalk, take a short drive from Black Hill Reserve to nearby Kyneton Ridge Estate.

Here you can enjoy wine tasting, lunch or coffee by the fire. Visitors also enjoy relaxing with an alfresco glass of wine on the deck overlooking vineyards and a resident herd of wild kangaroos.

The Ridge Cafe offers a seasonal menu with a focus on homemade fresh food perfect for sharing. They also serve desserts and coffee.

This is a dog-friendly winery, so bring the pooch along on a lead (they’re just not allowed inside).

The winery is open from 11-5pm on weekends and most public holidays and by appointment during the week (just give Angela a call on 0408 841 119).

Directions: From the car park area at Black Hill Reserve, head down Blackhill School Road rather than going back out the way you came along Ennis Road. Follow Blackhill School Road until you reach Foxes Lane. Turn left and follow this until you reach Blackhill Road. Turn left and follow a short way to the winery on your left-hand side.