Why Bacchus Marsh is the best place to live in Victoria
WITH trendy cafes, bustling pubs and plenty of outdoor activities and adventure, there’s nothing sleepy about Bacchus Marsh. Here’s everything to eat, see and do in this blossoming town.
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BACCHUS Marsh might be a small town, but it has big lifestyle appeal.
Sitting 57km north west of Melbourne’s CBD, in Victoria’s picturesque Central Highlands region, it offers the feel of laid-back country living but within an easy commute of Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat.
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Though the township has retained its country charm and community spirit as it has grown, the ‘Marsh, as locals call it, is far from a sleepy hollow, with a wave of trendy cafes, speciality coffee shops, charming pubs and laid-back eateries flooding the main street.
HOW BACCHUS MARSH HAS GROWN
The Moorabool Shire town began its life as a service stop for miners travelling from Melbourne to the glittering goldfields in Ballarat.
But, after the gold dried up, it became a fertile fruit growing and horticultural area, and is now home to myriad fruit farms, farm gates and orchards that grow everything from berries, cherries and peaches to broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.
As well as being a mecca for fresh produce, it’s now an affordable housing entry point (a three-bedroom house costs, on average, $417,00).
The area has seen significant residential growth over the last decade, attracting savvy city commuters and people looking for a family-friendly vibe.
This upward trend is expected to continue, with Bacchus Marsh’s population projected to swell by more than 75 per cent by 2041, according to growth estimates by population experts, .id community.
CAFES
If you’re looking for a slice of Melbourne’s cafe culture, Bacchus Marsh has it in spades. Little Lucky Cafe (3 Grant St) is a health-focused eatery offering gluten-free and plant-based options. Stop in for a Griffiths Bros coffee, kombucha and some raw cheesecake.
The smashed avo (affectionately titled Aussie Avomaate) at Baby Black Espresso Bar (10 Church St) comes with a slice of sourdough smeared with Vegemite and topped with everyone’s fave green fruit, crispy kale, fried haloumi, seeds and drizzle of lemon. It’s just a little bit fancy. And keep an eye out for their mobile caffeine wheeler, The Black Dahlia Espresso Van, which pops up at local events and festivals.
Stop in at Lola’s Cafe (110 Main Street) for a juicy, buttermilk-fried chicken burger.
Homemade pies and Devonshire teas are the name of the game at The Flour Pot (185A Main Street). Nothing for lunch? Duck into Cafe Chino for a chicken or tuna focaccia. Their roast beef rolls are also delightful.
Get around the sweet potato and pumpkin fritters at The Jolly Miller cafe (136 Main St) or, if you’re after some AM indulgence, the fluffy ricotta hot cakes with Nutella mascarpone, pistachios, fresh berries and Persian fairy floss are sure to impress.
And don’t miss the roast beef and roast pork rolls at One69 Main Street (169 Main St). Also, add the gravy; you know you want to.
RESTAURANTS
As well as myriad cafes and coffee shops, Bacchus Marsh also has a bustling restaurant scene.
Though their menu has been the same for years, it’s hard to beat a classic so get around the chicken Kiev and butter chicken at Back to Bacchus (147 Main St).
The keema naan (naan stuffed with lamb mince) and lamb rogan josh at Royal Indians (190 Main Street) don’t disappoint. For Chinese takout, the meal deals at Golden Valley Chinese (192 Main Street) are pretty hard to beat. The Dragon Pack (which comes with garlic king prawns, lemon chicken, sweet and sour combination, mixed veggies, fried rice, prawn crackers, 4 dimmies and 4 mini spring rolls) is excellent value at $53. That’s Friday night dinner, sorted.
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For pizza, it’s between Sopranos Pizza Bar (101 Main St) and Grant Pizza Place (58 Grant St). If you consider yourself a pizza connoisseur, or you’re having a pizza party — a party designed specifically for the enjoyment of pizza, that is — Grant’s is the pizza parlour for you. Theirs are artisan pizzas made with the freshest ingredients, crispy bases and a serious passion for the craft (the sweet chilli chicken pizza comes highly recommended). It also comes with a glowing celebrity endorsement from comedian Adam Hills.
For all things chicken, head to Hot Legs BBQ (99 Main St), while Bacchus Marsh Fish and Chips is your go-to for juicy burgers, beer-battered fish, potato cakes and freakshakes.
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PUBS
If you like your pubs character-filled, the refurbished CourtHouse Hotel (116 Main Street) has all the charm of a traditional country pub as well as a plenty of modern flare.
They’ve got new school pub meals — like pork sliders and beef poutine (that’s chips topped with pulled beef brisket, cheese and gravy) as well as classic pub fare. And kids eat free on Mondays.
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For a haunted hotel experience, legend has it that a ghost walks the corridors of the 1850s Flanagans Border Inn Hotel (139 Main St).
There have even been reports of items moving, a piano playing unattended and people being touched. Maybe it’s stopping by for $12 pie and mash Wednesdays or $14 steak and chips Thursdays.
Lastly, the Royal Hotel (200 Main St), which was established in 1863, has honest, top-quality, locally sourced fare for fair price. Their wagyu steak is en pointe. Plus, you can catch every AFL game live, accompanied by $5 Furphy schooners from siren to siren. You beauty.
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FARM GATES
Bacchus Marsh is a produce heartland with fruit orchards and farm gates aplenty. That means, you guessed it, plenty of pick-you-own fruit options if you’re looking to capitalise on fresh, locally grown produce.
Pick your own berries, cherries, apples, nectarines and peaches at Naturipe Fruits (638 Bacchus Marsh Road). They also make a selection of gourmet strawberry products, like strawberry sauce, jam and even vinegar.
Get lost in The Strawberry Forest (391 Bacchus Marsh Road), which is pram and wheelchair friendly, at Fruits of Life farm and award-winning gourmet produce retailer.
If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, you’ll love Paynes Orchards. In the fifties, the Payne family moved 300 ancient and wise apple trees from East Burwood to Bacchus Marsh and their unwaxed fruits are simply delicious.
THINGS TO DO
The Avenue of Honour is a procession of 281 grand Canadian Elm Trees that guide you in to the Bacchus Marsh town centre. The trees were planted on August 10, 1918 by the townspeople of Bacchus Marsh to commemorate those who served in the First World War and each tree had a small plaque affixed with the name of one who served. This year marks the centenary of the planting of the Avenue of Honour and you can even register with the local RSL to put a wreath on one of them (click here for details). This historic gateway has even become world famous as it is the last remaining avenue of Canadian Elms in the world.
If you’re a history buff, check out the heritage-listed Blacksmiths Cottage and Forge Bookbarn (100 Main Street).
OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES
With everything from plunging gorges and glacial valleys to lush forests and blooming valleys, the state parks surrounding Bacchus Marsh are ideal destinations for nature lovers. There are hiking and biking trails galore through Werribee Gorge, Lerderderg Gorge, Wombat State Forest and Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve, as well as leisurely walks along the Werribee River from Peppertree Park. For relaxed weekend fun, there are also plenty of local parks and picnic grounds, including Moon Reserve, Masons Lane Reserve and Maddingley Park. If you head out on a Saturday you might even be able to catch a game of local footy or cricket.
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