Escape to the Macedon Ranges this winter for a dose of clean country air as crisp as a Granny Smith apple. Toast marshmallows on the fire. Go on a winter red wine tasting trail. Snuggle in a cosy B&B and dine in our award winning restaurants.
Plan a day or a getaway where it’s naturally cool. Whether you want to retreat from the world, join a cooking class, learn a lost trade, taste our splendid cool climate wines, or go on a wander; our historic villages are an easy drive from Melbourne.
If you’re lucky, you may even see snow during your visit, particularly on the summit of Mount Macedon. Keep an eye on Top of the Range’s live Snow Cam to help time a visit!
St Agnes Homestead in Kyneton
Things to Do During Winter
Winter in the Macedon Ranges offers the perfect environment for hibernation and reflection, whether indoors or in nature. Here are a few ideas of things to do during winter in the ranges. Plus don’t forget to check our What’s On page for new events throughout the season.
PS. Love baroque and classical music, poetry, art or books? The annual Woodend Winter Arts Festival is on from 7-10 June, bringing together acclaimed Australian and international talent with the music, literary and arts community. The result is a world class showcase of vibrant, traditional and thought-provoking performances you simply shouldn’t miss.
Classes and Workshops in the Macedon Ranges
From charcuterie classes to lost trades workshops, the Macedon Ranges is redefining wellness experiences with unique workshops for the mind and soul. Watch our video to learn more about what’s on offer in the Macedon Ranges or visit our What’s On page for the latest classes and workshops.
Art Experiences in the Macedon Ranges
The Macedon Ranges is the art hub of regional Victoria. And when it’s wild and woolly outside, a day browsing art galleries or visiting artist studios is the perfect way to while away the day. Watch our video to discover ways to enjoy winter creatively in the ranges.
Food and Wine in the Macedon Ranges
Go wine tasting at local cellar doors. Experience fine dining and gastronomic heaven in one of our many amazing restaurants. Or kick back in a charismatic wine bar or country pub. The Macedon Ranges is a food and wine lovers paradise!
Foodie Heaven
Did you know we have two chef hatted restaurants in Kyneton? Source Dining and Midnight Starling are both located on Piper Street, and are kept in excellent company by other superb restaurants including The Parkland Kyneton, Colenso and celebrated chef Tansy Good’s new restaurant, Tansy’s.
Country Pubs and Crackling Fires
Most pubs in the region boast roaring fireplaces during the winter months.
- Get a beer tasting paddle from independent, family-owned brewery and pub, Holgates in Woodend.
- Chow down on gastronomic pub fare at nearby Victoria Hotel (only a short walk from Woodend Train Station).
- Enjoy a hearty pub meal at the Mt Macedon Hotel after a walk in Macedon Regional Park.
- Or visit the iconic Royal George Hotel on Kyneton’s historic Piper Street for a tipple by the fire.
Click here for ideas on where to eat and drink in the Macedon Ranges.
-
- Holgate Pub Woodend Insta @HolgateBrewhouse
-
- The Royal George Hotel Kyneton
Wine Cellar Doors
Did you know the Macedon Ranges has 28 cellar doors regularly open for wine tasting? Watch our video to learn more about what makes the Macedon Ranges wine region so special.
To help plan your wine tasting adventure, design your own custom wine itinerary using the nifty app Twenty Five Doors. It makes planning a wine tasting Macedon Ranges day out super easy!
Alternatively, pick up a Wine Trail Map from our Visitor Information Centres in Woodend or Kyneton, or check out local wineries featured on our website.
Love red wine? Our Winter Red Wine Lovers Trail takes you from Malmsbury to Lancefield on a fantastic winter wine tasting adventure.
Mountain Biking in the Wombat Forest
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. Get your legs pumping and the blood flowing with an adrenaline filled mountain biking adventure in the Wombat State Forest. Don’t own a bike? Easy! Book a one or two day mountain biking trail ride adventure, where you are picked up from Melbourne, supplied with all equipment, and guided along the Wombat Loop trail. Check out our ‘Bikes & Burgers’ mountain biking itinerary here.
-
- Go on a Mountain Biking Tour with ANTT Active Mountain Biking Adventures.
Bush Walking and Hiking in the Macedon Ranges
Hiking during winter can be a little chilly, but don’t let that stop you! Dress according to the weather and replenish your soul from too much time spent indoors. The trails are usually more quiet during winter, making it more likely to spot shy wildlife hopping through the bracken.
PS. Dogs are welcome in many of our parks and reserves, as long as they are on-leash.
Macedon Regional Park
Get the heart pumping and breathe out steamy cold air with 30km of walking trails in and around Macedon Regional Park.
Sanatorium Lake or Camels Hump are a great place to start, and Days Picnic Ground offers wood-fire barbecues where you can sizzle some sausages and toast marshmallows.
Winter is also a great time to photograph wild mushrooms and fungi growing in the forests on Mount Macedon.
Photograph wild mushrooms in Macedon Regional Park (images by Instagram @longinomous
Hiking with Llamas
One of the most popular experiences in the Macedon Ranges is hiking with llamas to the base of Hanging Rock. Make sure you book with Hanging Rock Llama Treks well in advance!
Black Hill Reserve
Go bush walking in the Black Hill Reserve on the outskirts of Kyneton, where you will discover amazing rock formations.
Hanging Rock
The iconic and majestic Hanging Rock is a magical place to hike at winter. With amazing granite rock formations and peaceful views to the valley and ranges beyond, you can easily find a place to sit and reflect (with a hot thermos of tea). Hanging Rock Cafe, with its toasty warm fireplace, is also the perfect spot to enjoy lunch or morning tea after your walk.
Please be aware that on high wind days or extreme weather conditions the walk to the summit may be closed. Give our Visitor Information Centres a call on 1800 244 711 (9-5pm daily) to check the status.
Click here for more information on opening times and admission fees to Hanging Rock.
How to Get to the Macedon Ranges
By Car
The Macedon ranges is located approximately 50 minutes to 1.25 hours’ (picturesque) drive north-west from Melbourne CBD depending on where you plan to visit in the Macedon Ranges
By Train
Why not leave the car at home and take the train? You can jump on the comfortable V-Line train (Bendigo line) at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station that stops at most villages in the Macedon Ranges.
Share Your Winter Pics
We’d love to see your best winter pics of the Macedon Ranges. Upload your pic to our Facebook wall, or tag us on Facebook @macedonrangesnaturallycool. Make sure to use the hashtag #macedonrangesnaturallycool on your Facebook and Instagram posts too!
