The Goldfields region west of Melbourne is worth exploring. The Calder Freeway to Bendigo takes you through places which will amaze you with their history, their natural scenery, and their old colonial architecture.
Gisborne. Many of Victoria's finest wineries are found in the goldfields. Websites like visitvictoria.com.au can guide you to them. At Gisborne Peak Winery you can stay overnight at one of the winery's Eco-Cottages, powered by wind and sun.

Woodend
Woodend is near Mt Macedon, Hanging Rock, and many waterfalls. The view from the summit of Mount Macedon takes in Melbourne city, the Dandenong Ranges and the You Yangs near Geelong.
Native forests cover the mountain and surround the town. Hanging Rock is a spectacular collection of unusual towering rock formations.

Photo: townshendtrafford.com.au

Kyneton
Various Farmers Markets and festivals are held throughout the year. You can find out about them on www.kyneton.org.au.
Casual tourists can visit the Botanic Gardens (established in the mid-1800s) or take one of  several walks along the Campaspe River. Kyneton Museum, in the old Bank of NSW building (built in 1856), has an extensive collection of historical items.

Daylesford
Off the main highway, halfway between Kyneton and Ballarat, is Daylesford, famous for its spas. Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, established in the 1860s, sits on the summit of an extinct volcano.
From the Pioneers Lookout Tower you have uninterrupted views of the Daylesford countryside.

In the Old Butter Factory is the unusual business of Herbal Lore Liqueurs. The founder, Roger Mclean, claims that his liqueurs help you understand your personal soul journey. They point out areas to work on in your life, and what you have already done for your soul's development. Drinking the liqueurs is like seeing a fortune teller. They are also available in chocolate form.

Bendigo
Gold was discovered in Bendigo during the 1850s. At that time it was only a sheep station, but as the news got out, migrants came from around the world. Within a year it had become a major town. The first gold was panned from streams and rivers, but when that ran out mining companies were formed to dig out the rich underground gold. Since 1851 about 780,000 kilograms of gold were taken from Bendigo's goldmines.

Photo: kingofwallpapers.com

At the Central Deborah Gold Mine you can go underground and explore a real gold mine. Three tours are available: the Mine Experience Tour (61 metres underground), the exciting Underground Adventure Tour (85 metres underground) and Australia’s deepest underground mine tour, Nine Levels of Darkness (228 metres underground).

Bendigo's buildings give a glimpse of the early days of European settlement in Australia. Bendigo also attracted many Chinese to its goldfields. Their history is maintained here by the Golden Dragon Museum, with some artefacts over 3000 years old. The Bendigo Joss House Temple, a Chinese place of worship, was built in the late 1870s. Its main temple is dedicated to Guan-Di, the god of war and prosperity.

The most comfortable way to see the sights of Bendigo is by riding the Bendigo Tramways Vintage Talking Tram. As you ride past the grand architecture of Bendigo, your tram tells you stories about the city. It stops to let you explore the parks, shopping and dining facilities of Bendigo.

Span Hanna