Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MACEDON RANGES & AROUND
A short distance off the Calder Fwy, less than an hour's drive north of Melbourne, the
Macedon Ranges are a beautiful area of low mountains, native forest, excellent regional
produce and wineries, often enveloped in cloud in winter, but great on a sunny day. The
Macedon Ranges cover the towns of Gisborne, Woodend, Trentham, Lancefield, Romsey
and Kyneton, and the legendary Hanging Rock.
The scenic drive up Mt Macedon, a 1010m-high extinct volcano, passes grand mansions
and gardens, taking you to picnic areas, walking trails, sweeping lookouts and the huge me-
morial cross near the summit car park. There's a cafe and barbecue area at Cameron's Pic-
nic Area.
There are some great wineries (
www.macedonrangeswineries.com.au
) in the area.
Wine
Tours Victoria
(
1300 946 386;
www.winetours.com.au
)
can arrange tours.
DON'T MISS
HANGING ROCK
Hanging Rock
(
www.visitmacedonranges.com
; per vehicle $10; 9am-5pm) is an ancient and captivating
place, made famous by the spooky Joan Lindsay novel (and subsequent film by Peter Weir)
Picnic at Hanging
Rock
, about the disappearance of a group of 19th-century schoolgirls The volcanic rock formations are the sacred
site of the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people, but you're welcome to clamber up the rocks along the
20-minute path. It was once also a hideout for bushrangers - many mysteries and legends surround it and an eerie
energy is said to be felt by many who climb among the boulders. From the summit there are views of Mt Macedon
and the surrounding countryside.
The walk-through
Hanging Rock Discovery Centre
explains its history and geology, and there's a cafe next
door. Guided night walks operate in summer months; call to book on 03-5421 1469.
Spreading out below the rock is a cricket ground, where you can see kangaroos, and its famous
racecourse
(
www.hangingrockracingclub.com.au
)
, which hosts two excellent picnic race meetings, on New Year's Day and
Australia Day. It's also a venue for 'A Day on the Green' concerts, hosting big-name acts from the Rolling Stones
to Leonard Cohen.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Trentham & Around
The small historic township of Trentham (population 630) sits at the top of the Great Divid-
ing Range, midway between Woodend and Daylesford, 97km from Melbourne. At an elev-
