Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
MT FRANKLIN & AROUND
Just 10km north of Daylesford,
Mt Franklin
is an extinct volcanic crater that you can drive straight into. Known
to the Dja Dja Wurrung people as Lalgambook, it's a beautiful place with forest-covered walking trails that take
you through lush vegetation, a picnic area and a summit lookout. Free short-term camping is permitted in the
crater (it's part of the Hepburn Regional Park).
Heading back towards Hepburn Springs, take the turn-off to
Shepherds Flat
, where there are two interesting
spots.
Cricket Willow
( 03-5476 4277;
www.cricketwillow.com.au
;
355 Hepburn-Newstead Rd; museum
adult/child $3/1, tours $6; 10.30am-5.30pm Sat & Sun) has been making its Jabaroo cricket bats for over a
century using the willow grown on-site since 1802. Check out the immaculate cricket oval, then tour the work-
shop, willow-tree nursery and sport memorabilia museum, or line up against the bowling machine ($25).
Further along,
Lavandula
( 03-5476 4393;
www.lavandula.com.au
; 350 Hepburn-Newstead Rd; adult/child
$4/1; 10.30am-5.30pm Sep-mid-Jul) is a lovely Swiss-Italian farm and stone cottage where you can meet the
farm animals, check out the gardens and produce, wander between lavender bushes and enjoy lunch in the Ti-
cinese grotto. There are free tours of the farm and cottage at noon, 2pm and 4pm.
