Experience the Macedon Ranges in summer
If getting covered in sand at the beach is not your cup of tea, head to the ranges for your summer country fix.
Located an easy 45 minutes north west of Melbourne, our villages are abuzz with festivals, farmers’ markets, ferments and flowers.
Meet the artists. Taste the produce. Learn something new. Appreciate the old. Drink something cool. It’s time to find your happy space in the Macedon Ranges.
Plan a gin blending and gastronomy weekend
If you love gin, wine and good food, this weekend adventure is for you.
We’ve crafted an overnight itinerary that includes:
- A gin blending masterclass with Kyneton’s Animus Distillery
- Gin tasting in the countryside at the rustic Big Tree Distillery
- And a Mountain Gin tasting and vineyard lunch at Mount Towrong Vineyard’s cellar door on Mount Macedon.
There’s plenty of time for dining at Chef Hat-awarded restaurants and hopping between wine and cocktail bars too.
Or you can just come up for the day and design your own gin tasting experience.
Sound interesting? View our weekend gin tasting and gastronomy itinerary
PS. Don’t drink and drive. There’s a number of local tour companies that will pick you up from the V-Line train station or your accommodation and chauffeur you on a guided experience, including The Regional Wanderer and Trips all Round.
Summer picnic spots in the Macedon Ranges
Everyone loves a good summer picnic with family and friends. The Macedon Ranges offers everything from bush reserves to grand old gardens with ancient oak trees to curl under with a cuppa.
Check out our tips for Macedon Ranges picnic spots.
Wine tasting (and cheese boards)
Pick up a Macedon Ranges Wine Trail Map from the Kyneton or Woodend Visitor Information Centres open 7 days a week. Or use the Twenty Five Doors app to design your own wine tasting trail. Many cellar doors offer antipasta and cheese boards to go with tastings too. In fact, Cloud Nine Farm make their own wine and cheese on-site.
Speaking of cheese, drop by Azzurri Cheese 7 days a week between 10-5pm to buy the most delicious handmade cheese direct from the farm. It’s also a beautiful drive through forest and farmland to get there.
Art in the Vines
If you love art and wine, Hanging Rock Winery‘s ‘Sculpture in Motion’ exhibition should be on your bucket list. Discover works by 15 world-class artists, enjoy a picnic and taste their extensive selection of wine. It’s a dog friendly winery too, so bring your pooch on a lead for a fun day out.
Exhibition is on until 23 February 2020. Find out more about Art in the Vines at Hanging Rock Winery
Festival No. 23
Get tickets now to Festival No.23, an immersive arts and music retreat in the Macedon Ranges.
Imagine indulgent sophistication dancing hand-in-hand with a carefully crafted line-up of exciting electronic music acts, art and DJ’s. Well-manicured hedonism with a quietly spiritual bent; and a carefully cultured appreciation of art, music, workshops and food.
Held across 7-9 February, Festival No.23. will be utilising an amazing hotel complex to host their dance floors, workshops, immersive art installations, outdoor activities, camping and glamping.
Find out more about Festival No.23.
The enchanted sand art exhibition
Kids will love this magical sand art exhibition held undercover on the grounds of historic Dromkeen homestead in Riddells Creek.
Sculpture artists from around the world have created an enchanted sand sculptures including fairies, goblins and unicorns. Enjoy a Devonshire tea at Dromkeen while you’re there.
Open 10.30-5pm over summer (7 days a week from 3-31 January 2020).
Find out more about the Enchanted Forest Sand Art Sculpture Exhibition
Fishing and kayaking
Enjoy a barbecue, kayaking and fishing in the Macedon Ranges. Lauriston, Upper Coliban and Malmsbury Reservoirs are the three most popular spots for angling.
Malmsbury and Lauriston recreation areas also offer sheltered seating to enjoy a picnic over the summer months.
You’ll find the reservoirs are well-stocked with the likes of redfin, brown trout and Macquarie perch. Shoreline fishing, kayaks, canoes and small portable craft (car toppers) with electric motors are permitted.
Tip: You can purchase a fishing licence at Woodend Information Centre on High Street or Collins Kyneton Newsagent on Mollison Street Kyneton.
Reservoir info including entry points for kayaks and crafts.
Hanging Rock events
Don’t miss the annual Classic Car Display on 9 February and ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ Film Night on 15 February. A classic movie under the stars with an amazing backdrop makes for a romantic Valentine’s weekend escape too.
Find out more about the Hanging Rock Classic Car Display.
Find our more about the Hanging Rock Film Night.
How to get to the Macedon Ranges
The Macedon Ranges is an easy 45 minute drive north west from Melbourne or accessible via the V-Line train line that runs between Melbourne and Bendigo.
The Kyneton and Woodend Visitor Information Centres are both open 7 days a week from 9-5pm. Questions? Give our visitor centres a call on 1800 244 711.
