Megan Gale’s Airbnb and the best things to do in Daylesford region

In a small Victorian country town, Megan Gale and husband Shaun Hampson created something truly unique — there is nothing else like it.

A bright pink neon sign greets you as you enter the front gates of Megan Gale’s eccentric country property in Daylesford, a little over an hour by car northwest of Melbourne.

It is safe to say there is absolutely nothing like “Dollywood” in the region.

The four-bedroom home in the beautiful spa town at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range started as a holiday destination for Gale, husband Shaun Hampson and their children.

They fell so hard in love with the property that when the owners mentioned it was up for sale they jumped at the chance to make it their own.

“We had been visiting for quite a few years. Doing family trips. Going with our mums. We became quite familiar with the owners.

“When we heard it was available, I asked Shaun: ‘Should we go for it?’ And he said, ‘Absolutely.’ It all happened so organically and seamlessly.”

The house, which takes its inspiration from Hollywood and Palm Springs, has nothing to do with that famous Dolly — country singing megastar Dolly Parton.

It in instead a sweet nod to the former owner’s little girl Dolly.

Dollywood was a holiday destination for Gale and Hampson before they bought the property.

The home has a spacious living room and wood fireplace.

The veranda and bar — two of Megan Gale’s favourite places at Dollywood.

Since taking over, Gale and Hampson have made the place their own.
“I wanted to refresh and add my own touch,” Gale says.

“We bought a lot of furniture and art and added parts of ourselves.”

One very special part takes pride of place on the wall of the first bedroom — one of Hampson’s handmade guitars.

The couple hope guests take it down and play it when they visit.

Dollywood is immaculate. The bedrooms are beautifully and thoughtfully decorated to suit the house’s theme.

The main living area features a log fireplace and a huge sofa while the kitchen windows open up to create a bar that gets plenty of use in warmer months.

But the trip to Dollywood is for the family as much about the home and it is about the town.

Things to do in Daylesford

When Megan and Shaun arrive in Daylesford, the routine is usually the same.

“One of us watches the kids, we unload the car, unpack and once we’ve settled in, we usually get out and go for a walk down to the lake,” she says.

The lake is surrounded by well-worn walking trails and dotted with picnic spots. In town, there are markets that her children love to visit. Her son “loves fossicking for treasures”, Gale says.

The family’s favourite restaurant, Sault, is set on a stunning 125 acre estate that includes its own lake and lavender field.

No visit to “the spa centre of Australia” is complete without soaking in natural springs. There are countless venues in town and on the outskirts that offer pampering.

But the house is where the family feels most relaxed.

“I really like the veranda,” Gale says. “It’s beautiful and green. The day bed is lovely to sit at and have a drink. The kids ride their scooters back and forth.”

Dollywood’s kitchen.

The main bedroom — one of four stunning bedrooms at the Daylesford property.

Places to visit in the region

A 20-minute drive from Daylesford is the town of Trentham, known as much for hiking as it is for dining.

No visit to Trentham is complete without a trip to the magnificent Trentham Falls.

Kyneton, a 30-minute drive from Daylesford, makes a claim for Victoria’s most quaint country town. Bluestone buildings and tiny cottages are a reminder of what the town looked like over a century ago.

Also just 30 minutes from Daylesford is Castlemaine, which was born out of the gold rush in the 1950s and has thrived as a regional centre.

There are artists’ markets and The Mill — a restored woollen mill that was started in the 1850s and is now a hub for foodies that includes a bakery, a craft brewery and great coffee.

Victoria’s on-again, off-again restrictions make travel into regional Victoria a bit trickier than usual. Businesses in the region that usually rely on a steady stream of tourists have been hit hard.

It is something Gale wants people to remember when they can book that next trip.

“We had such a tough time last year, especially Victorians,” she says.

“When people can get out and travel a bit more, we want to encourage them to visit the small communities like Daylesford and grow the area. And you get to have a beautiful little break yourself.”

Learn more about Dollywood Daylesford here.