A Weekend in Maldon
Day 1 (Friday)
Historical Streets, Shopping, High Tea and Art
Stop One: Explore Maldon's Historic Main Street
Take a stroll through the historic streets of Maldon and enjoy unique, vintage and locally made shopping experiences.
Be transported back in time as you wander along the beautifully preserved main street, lined with historic verandas, old-fashioned shopfronts, charming cottages and picturesque gardens.
Shopping is anything but ordinary, with stores featuring:
Fun Fact:
The main street comes alive with music each year during the Maldon Folk Festival. For more than 40 years, streets, shops, community halls, bars and museums have hosted a mix of jazz, blues and folk performers from across Australia and around the world.
Stop Two: High Tea Lunch at Maldon Rose
Enjoy a delightfully quirky high tea experience at the beautifully pink Maldon Rose.
Their award-winning scones are a must-try and are perfectly paired with premium tea and coffee.
Features include:
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Vintage Robert Gordon and Royal Albert tea sets
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Sweet pastel and floral décor
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Delicious cakes and desserts
Stop Three: Cascade Art Gallery
Just a short walk away is Cascade Art Gallery.
Set in a former Gothic Revival church built in 1863, this atmospheric gallery now hosts curated visual art exhibitions and events.
Specialising in:
Stop Four: Pub Classics and Local Drinks
After a day of exploring, head back to the main street and step inside the historic Maldon Hotel.
Admire the intricate iron lacework and Victorian-era architecture before enjoying:
The menu features classic pub fare made with locally sourced ingredients.
Fun Fact:
The Maldon Hotel has welcomed locals and travellers for more than 150 years, having been built during the height of the gold rush in the 1850s.
Day 2 (Saturday)
Transported Through Time
Stop One: Bread from an Ancient Oven
No country-town visit is complete without a bakery stop.
Established in 1854, the Maldon Bakery is Australia's oldest continuously operating bakery.
Enjoy:
Fun Fact:
The bakery recently restored its original Scotch oven, meaning many baked goods are still cooked in Maldon's first brick structure.
Stop Two: Machinery Curiosities
Visit the volunteer-run Maldon Vintage Machinery & Museum.
The museum is packed with fascinating relics from the past, including:
Stop Three: Lunch at Café Maldon
Enjoy a relaxed country-style lunch at Café Maldon.
Take in the streetscape views while enjoying:
Stop Four: Dinner at The Golden Nugget
Dine on locally sourced, fresh and seasonal produce at The Golden Nugget Restaurant.
The restaurant prides itself on supporting local producers and wineries.
Highlights include:
Day 3 (Sunday)
Exploring the Sights and Sounds
Stop One: Sunrise from Mount Tarrengower
Wake early and be rewarded with spectacular sunrise views from Mount Tarrengower.
Highlights include:
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Climbing the historic mining poppet head
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Panoramic views across Central Victoria
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Exploring the lookout tower
The tower's direction board points to notable landmarks including:
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Mount Alexander
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Mount Macedon
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Mount Franklin
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Grampians National Park
Fun Fact:
Each year the tower is illuminated with festoon lights and can be seen from around town. Local children have long referred to it as the "Easter Bunny's house."
Stop Two: Victorian Goldfields Railway
Pack a picnic and enjoy a leisurely ride on the Victorian Goldfields Railway.
Departing from Maldon Railway Station, the journey travels through:
Travel in elegant first-class carriages as you journey to Castlemaine and back.
Fun Fact:
The railway makes a brief stop at Muckleford Station, which featured in The Dressmaker (2015), starring Kate Winslet and based on the novel by Rosalie Ham.
Stop Three: An Old-Fashioned Sweet Treat
Before heading home, stop by the famous Maldon Lolly Shop for a sweet treat or souvenir.
Stocked with nostalgic favourites, you'll find:
A perfect final stop before beginning your journey home.