Forest Resort, a 4.5 star property, was opened in 2008. The resort features modern, stylish and comfort plus facilities. Large lounge, excellent restaurant, indoor swimming pool, boutique day spa (own expense) extensive grounds and warm, friendly service. Perfectly located for a Young at Heart stayput holiday in central Victoria.
Day 1 (L,D) MELBOURNE, BALLARAT, CRESWICK
Following Melbourne metropolitan home/ hotel pick up we journey to Bacchus Marsh, located in the valley between the Werribee and Lerderderg Rivers and well known for its avenue of North American elms, a living war memorial. Interstate passengers arrive day prior. Morning tea at the Big Apple Tourist Orchard. We continue to Ballarat, Victoria’s largest inland city and enjoy lunch at the Fine Art Gallery with some free time to view the exhibition here. A town tour of Ballarat before we continue to Creswick and our home for four nights the Forest Resort. Time to unpack and relax prior to a pre-dinner drink and dinner together at the resort.
Day 2 (B,L,D) DAYLESFORD, KYNETON,
After a relaxing breakfast at the resort we depart at 9:30 for a short journey to Daylesford. Enjoy morning cuppa and a stroll in Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, with views overlooking the town. We visit the spa capital of Hepburn Springs and then continue to Kyneton, named after Kineton in England and known for its bluestone buildings, many of which are National Trust classified. Lunch today at Bringalbit Gardens, a 10 acre garden dating back to the 19th Century. During the afternoon we visit Kyneton Museum, a former bluestone Bank of NSW, with time to stroll along the main street shops prior to returning to Forest Resort.
Day 3 (B,L,D) CRESWICK, CLUNES
Today we explore Creswick and the nearby historic Clunes. We enjoy a guided tour and morning tea at the Creswick Woollen Mills, witness the last remaining coloured spinning mill of its type in Australia. We then travel to Clunes, famous as the place that sparked the Victorian Gold Rush. We visit the Clunes Museum with some time to wander this small but beautifully preserved town. Following lunch we travel back to Creswick to visit the Creswick Museum, home to photos and memorabilia from the town’s goldmining past as well as an exhibition of Lindsay paintings. Prior to returning to the Forest Resort, we view the Gold Battery.
Day 4 (B,L,D) MARYBOROUGH, AVOCA, CASTLEMAINE
After a leisurely breakfast we travel through gold country to historic Castlemaine. Morning tea and a guided tour at Buda, a gentleman’s residence built in 1861. A short tour of this busy town before travelling to Maryborough, where we visit the Maryborough Railway Station, built to a plan designed for Spencer Street Station in Melbourne. Enjoy lunch and stroll through the huge antique and art centre. During the afternoon we continue to Avoca on the Avoca River, where alluvial gold was discovered in 1852. Today the primary industry in the area includes well known wineries. Enjoy a wine tasting and afternoon nibbles at Mount Avoca Vineyard before returning to Creswick and Forest Resort.
Day 5 (B,L) CRESWICK, BALLARAT, MELBOURNE
This morning we travel to Ballarat, its wealth dating back to the golden era of the 1860’s. Time for a stroll through the Robert Clark Conservatory at the Botanic Gardens, adjacent to Lake Wendouree. We visit Hymettus Historic Cottage and Garden, developed in the 1860’s and restored to its 1915 state. Following an enjoyable luncheon we join the Western Freeway for the return journey to Melbourne, via the airport for interstate passengers. We are due to arrive Melbourne at approximately 3:30 p.m. Home/hotel transfers for Melbourne passengers complete a most enjoyable stayput holiday in beautiful central Victoria.
