Eight best Victorian towns to visit in winter months

Some places are just made for winter days. Whether you’re after good comfort food or a thriving arts and cultural scene, these towns should be top of your go-to list in the cooler months.

Kyneton is the culinary capital of regional Victoria.

Just as coastal towns provide respite from the heat in summer months, country Victoria’s inland towns can be a haven in winter.

No matter which direction you head, you can find a mix of cultural hot spots, charming villages and unique shops — not to mention great pubs and wineries — in Victoria’s regional areas.

Whether it’s a getaway for the day or a longer break, here are eight places worth putting on your winter travel itinerary.

KYNETON

Remnants of the town’s role in Victoria’s 1850s gold rush era form part of the appeal that is Kyneton.

With bluestone-lined streets and largely unchanged shopfronts, a stroll down Piper St provides a nostalgic insight into a bygone era while accommodating modern interests.

Boutiques and galleries to captivate creative minds include Nicklebys Antiques (40 Piper St), which offers a range of beautiful silver, porcelain and glass items.

Duck Duck Goose and Larder (17-21 Piper St), in the former Kyneton Market Building built in 1878, is popular for its locally sourced ingredients and eclectic range of gifts and homewares.

Kyneton is regarded as the state’s country culinary capital.

Adding weight to that claim is the arrival of legendary chef Tansy Good, with Tansy’s Kyneton (91 Piper St) serving up the sauces, jellies and desserts for which she is famous.

Tempt the tastebuds with a pre-show drink at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal.

CASTLEMAINE

While folks once flocked to Castlemaine seeking their fortune, visitors are now drawn to the vibrant array of art, culture and culinary delights on offer.

The Theatre Royal (30 Hargraves St), established in 1854 and Australia’s longest continually operating theatre, was recently refurbished to honour its grand history.

It screens blockbuster

and arthouse films, and hosts touring performers and bands.

Castlemaine also holds its own as a foodie destination, with artisan chefs making the move to the town and creating their own special culinary experience.

The Mill (1-9 Walker St) is one venue capturing all that is enticing about Castlemaine. Originally built as a woollen mill in 1875, the complex now includes everything from vintage market to smallgoods deli, winery, taproom, artists’ studio, bakery and Viennese coffee house.

Daylesford’s lake is worth a look all year round.

DAYLESFORD

Another town with gold rush roots, Daylesford is renowned for its spas, galleries, gardens and restaurants.

With more than 80 per cent of the nation’s mineral water springs in the region, the area has long been considered a place of healing and wellness.

The exquisite Salus Spa (at Lake House, King St) sets the tone for the many spa retreats in the area, though indulging treatments form just one attraction to this enchanting town.

The Amazing Mill Markets (105 Central Springs Rd) have an array of goods for treasure hunters to discover, or settle down with a bestseller in the elegant former bank building at Paradise Bookshop (46 Vincent St) for a more intimate experience.

The Daylesford Sunday Market (18 Raglan St) at Daylesford Station offers a range of local produce, collectables and plants, while the Daylesford Spa Country Railway heritage trains provide a fun way to enjoy the countryside.

BRIGHT

Sitting at the foot of Victoria’s alpine region, Bright thrives all year round. A popular stopover for visitors on their way to the snowfields, it offers plenty of reasons to stay a little longer.

The Bright Brewery (121 Great Alpine Rd), overlooking the Ovens River, serves craft beers made from fresh mountain water and a seasonal menu of beer-matched food.

Meander along the streets and take time out to visit the Bright Art Gallery (28 Mountbatten Ave), which showcases locally inspired works.

The surrounding landscape is captivating and will have you heading outdoors to explore the bush tracks by bike or on foot.

The Port Fairy lighthouse.

PORT FAIRY

This idyllic seaside town has retained its fishing village charm.

Port Fairy serves up a mix of refined cultural, dining, shopping, and outdoor experiences.

Coffin Sally (33 Sackville St), based in an historic building previously used to make coffins, is a favourite with its range of mouth-watering traditional pizzas.

For a taste of the arts scene, visit Whale Bone Studio Arts (39a Bank St), which has locally inspired works including paintings, photography and jewellery.

Water adventures from whale watching to surfing abound, and there are plenty of coastal and bush walks to enjoy for those who prefer terra firma.

INGLEWOOD

Surrounded by bush and about 20km from the Melville Caves, the Victorian-era architecture of this tiny town — the perfect backdrop for its many antiques and op-shops — will take you back in time.

It’s about a half-hour drive from the Dunnolly Museum, which houses a large collection of gold rush artefacts and records.

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EL DORADO

Downstream from Beechworth, on the banks of Reedy Creek and at the end of the Woolshed Valley, this former gold rush town has plenty of historic sites to visit and artefacts to view. Treasure hunters may like to follow the Indigo Gold Trail, pan for gold or fossick for gemstones and crystals.

Other outdoor activities include horse or mountain bike riding.

Cold outside? Stay warm at Seppelts winery in the Grampians.

THE GRAMPIANS

Not one but four regional galleries, the Silo Art Trail, art studios, creative workshops, artisan ateliers and craft festivals and markets make the area a perfect destination for art aficionados and enthusiasts.

The region is also home to the Billimina, Bunjil and Gulgurn Manja rock art sites.

For more on great places to visit in Victoria this winter, pick up a copy of Your Happy Space magazine in the Sunday Herald Sun.