Known for its beautiful gardens and plantations thriving in its rich volcanic soil, the Macedon region is a one hour drive from Melbourne along the Calder Freeway. Beyond the Macedon Ranges are the Victorian era goldfields towns of the Central Victorian Highlands and the farmlands of the Goulburn and Murray River valleys.

One a haunt for some of Australia's most infamous bushrangers in the goldrush days, there are many pleasant drives and walks through the district leading to streams that are regularly fished for trout, over 30 cool-climate wineries, Australia's richest content of mineral springs, not to mention many superb cafes and restaurants in the towns and villages scattered throughout the region.
The towering peak of Mount Macedon and nearby Hanging Rock are part of a six million year old dormant volcano. Many historic towns within the region have retained their early European influence, offering visitors a unique visual and culinary experience. In the region's north-west, near Ballarat, are a number of historical former gold mining towns including Clunes and Creswick.

Macedon: a residential township located in rich farming country. The Macedon area was first settled in 1837. Being on the way to the Bendigo diggings from Melbourne, it became a haunt of many bushrangers.
Location: 61 km north north east of Melbourne on the Calder Highway.
Points of Interest: Hanging Rock (The movie); Mt. Macedon (Macedon Range and Mt. William); Organ Pipes National Park; The Camels Hump; Memorial Cross (at the summit of Mt. Macedon); Civil Defence training Centre; Calder Raceway; villages of Sunbury and Woodend; Rosslynn Reservoir; Emu Bottom Homestead; Mt. Macedon Gardens; Macedon area Aboriginal site

Heathcote: a small village in an idyllic country setting. A number of prehistoric quarry sites have been found at Mt. Camel Range, to the north of Heathcote, providing evidence of ancient Aboriginal associations with the land. Pastoralists first moved into the area in the 1830s, however, the town itself developed on the back of a series of goldrushes along McIvor Creek which commenced in 1851.
The Heathcote Wine Region is noted for its Shiraz, but many winemakers are taking a much broader view of its potential for producing quality wines from a wide range of varieties. Like many wine regions the history of this region extends back to the gold era of the middle to late nineteenth century. In the 1960s the modern era began with small wineries around the township of Heathcote. Since the 1990s the area to the east of the Mt. Camel Range has seen large scale development by larger companies.
Location: 120 km north of Melbourne on the McIvor Highway; 47km south of Bendigo.
Points of Interest: McIvor Range; Viewing Rock Lookout; Argyle forest; Mt. Ida; One Eye forest; Mt. Camel Range; Pink cliffs (eroded mining spoil); Lake Eppalock (Victoria's fourth largest reservoir); historic Powder Magazine (1864); Mt. Camel Range Aboriginal stone quarries

Kyneton: a centre for the mix farming of the district, Kyneton is known for its landscaped streets and excellently preserved bluestone buildings, some of which pre-date the 1850s goldrush. A Daffodil and Arts Festival is held every spring. One of the early areas of agricultural development in inland Victoria, farming commenced in 1841, the townsite was surveyed in 1847 after a visit by Gov. Charles Joseph La Trobe. Kyneton boomed during the goldrush as it supplied most of the fresh food needed by the miners and prospectors at the diggings at Ballarat and Bendigo. English born philanthropist and early feminist Caroline Chisholm lived in Kyneton in the 1850s when her family kept a store and her husband sat on the magistrate's court bench.
Location: 83 km north of Melbourne on the Calder Highway and Campaspe River.
Points of Interest: Campaspe River; Lauriston Reservoir; Malmsbury Reservoir; historic buildings - Old Malt House; Mechanic's Institute; Old police Depot; La Trobe's Country House; Meskills Woolstore (built as a butter factory in 1862); Bank of NSW building (1855); Drop Log Cottage (1840); 'Barbower' homestead and outbuildings (1852-53) Windmill, 'Windmill Farm' (c.1854); Old Rectory (1854); Attic house (1857-58); 'The Lawns' (c.1871); 'Campaspe Villa' (1855-56); Kyneton District Hospital (1854-55); 'Brennanah' (c.1898); 'St Agnes' stables (c1876)and cottages (c.1872); 'Sunbury' Lodge homestead and barns (c.1880); 'Rock House' (c.1853-54); Old Mill (1859)