Australia‘s top 3 road trips in every state and territory revealed

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The nation’s best road trips are in; it’s time to decide which to do first.

Roll down the windows. Crank up the tunes. This spring, we’re inviting you to rediscover Australia, one unforgettable drive at a time. We’ve rounded up the top three best road trips in each state, from a seafood trail that offers a taste of SA’s merroir to a 4WD track that runs the length of the NT.

Grand Pacific Drive, NSW

the Sea Cliff Bridge from above
Sea Cliff Bridge snakes along the Illawarra escarpment. (Image: Destination NSW/Daniel Tran)

This scenic route extends for 140 kilometres from Sydney to Jervis Bay, exiting the city before snaking along the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge. While the South Coast is best known for its beautiful beaches, a perfect weekend away should also include its burgeoning foodie scene.

a woman soaking in a tub with wine in hand at Cupitt’s Estate inShoalhaven
Soak in the surrounds at Cupitt’s Estate in Shoalhaven. (Image: Destination NSW)

Don’t miss: A taste of the region’s terroir at restaurants such as Bangalay Dining , Cupitt’s Estate and Milk HAUS . Also, be sure to stop at the rugged headland near Kiama Blowhole during whale season – it’s the perfect vantage point to spot the majestic marine animals.

Northern Rivers Hinterland Way, NSW

the emerald coast and hinterland on a Northern Rivers road trip
Zigzag between emerald hinterland and coast on a Northern Rivers road trip. (Image: Destination NSW/Ain Raadik)

The countryside along the Northern Rivers Hinterland Way is reminiscent of a green patchwork quilt. Covering a lot of the same ground as the Rainforest Way, this journey starts in Tweed Heads, tumbles through the Tweed Valley and loops into Lismore before taking in the coastal locales of Ballina and Byron Bay, with the option to extend into Casino.

Don’t miss: The historic villages, artist studios and hinterland cafes filled with hippie local characters. Find your tribe at the Saturday farmers’ markets in Bangalow then spend the afternoon at leisure in lovely Lismore, and be sure to check out the town’s regional gallery.

Mountains & Gold Rush Road Trip, NSW

a couple exploring Lowe Wines
Taste the terroir at Lowe Family Wine Co, Mudgee. (Image: Destination NSW/Jesse Smith)

Starting in the majestic Blue Mountains, make your way inland into NSW’s Central West. Learn about the region’s colourful gold rush history on a self-guided itinerary that triangulates between Bathurst and Orange before exploring the spoils of the Mudgee wine region.

Don’t miss: The heritage towns of Hill End and Sofala, a bottle from Lowe Family Wine Co in Mudgee and a nature-based boutique farm stay at Glenayr Farm .

Grampians Road Trip, Vic

Written by: Elizabeth Whitehead

two women exploring the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Grampians Road Trip
Visit the Art Gallery of Ballarat. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

A Grampians road trip is a romantic drive that carries passengers from the buzzy streets of Melbourne to laid-back life in the country. Allow plenty of time to meander west of the big smoke, stopping at Ballarat to peruse the art galleries, before making a beeline for the dramatic sandstone peaks of the Grampians. Loop back via the gold rush town of Ararat to soak up more of the Central Highlands’ country charm.

a Down Under Log Cabin in the Grampians/Gariwerd
Stay in a Down Under Log Cabin in the Grampians/Gariwerd. (Image: Visit Victoria/Tess Kelly)

Don’t miss: A taste of pastoral life in a dinky DULC (Down Under Log Cabins) . The timber structures are in the heart of beautiful Grampians bushland.

Great Alpine Road, Vic

Written by: Elizabeth Whitehead

the Victorian Alps on a Great Alpine Road trip
Follow the Great Alpine Road through the rumpled folds of the Victorian Alps. (Image: David Kirkland)

Australia’s highest year-round accessible sealed road, the 300-kilometre Great Alpine Road weaves through the Victorian Alps, taking in mountains, country wineries and quaint alpine towns such as Bright.

Don’t miss: Be sure to drive to the top of Mt Hotham for those panoramic alpine views. You’ll want to pack your hiking boots to wander along the walking trails. End your trip in Beechworth, a gold rush-era town brimming with heritage buildings, bushranger tales and excellent local food and wine.

Great Victorian Bathing Trail, Vic

a woman relaxing at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa
Soak in the soothing waters of Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. (Image: Jesse Hisco)

Swimmers and a floppy hat are essential items when packing for the Great Victorian Bathing Trail. The 900-kilometre-long route connects the dots between hot springs, mineral pools and sea baths, so you can literally immerse yourself in the landscape.

Don’t miss: Wellness is the focus here, but it’s worth carving out time for indulgent detours. Stop in Daylesford for a scenic lunch at the iconic Lake House . Stay onsite at The Sanctuary at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa , a brand-new retreat built in the dunes above the hot springs.

Gibb River Road, WA

a person visitingTunnel Creek on a Gibb River Road trip
Carve out time to visit Tunnel Creek while driving the Gibb River Road. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/Jarrod Saw)

This mostly 4WD track snakes for about 660 kilometres through the heart of Western Australia between Derby, the western gateway to the Kimberley, and Kununurra, in the east.

Don’t miss: Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek). The subterranean waterway formed about 350 million years ago, making it WA’s oldest-known cave system. Adding to the drama of Dimalurru are the large stalactites dripping down from the ceiling like whimsical chandeliers, as well as chance encounters with freshwater crocodiles and ghost bats. Roads accessible between May and October.

Perth to Broome Coastal Drive, WA

an aerial view of West Australian Coastline and Ningaloo Reef
Embark on an epic road trip along the West Australian Coastline and Ningaloo Reef. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/Jarrad Seng)

The coastal drive from Perth to Broome takes a whopping 24 hours (at least). We would recommend pacing yourself, so you can enjoy some side trips to explore Exmouth, Ningaloo and Karijini National Park.

Don’t miss: Swimming with whale sharks off the coast of Ningaloo, hiking around the ancient limestone structures at Lake Thetis and getting your claws into some fresh seafood at the legendary Lobster Shack in the fishing village of Cervantes.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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The Southwest Edge Loop, WA

the Turquoise Bay on the Southwest Edge Loop
Track towards Turquoise Bay on the Southwest Edge Loop. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/Rick Van Brakel)

Pack your bathers: this epic loop of south-west Australia traverses some 1200 kilometres between Perth and Esperance, tracing the curves of the coast before cutting a swathe through the outback.

Guido van Helton’s mural at Wellington Dam
Visit Wellington Dam to see Guido van Helton’s mural, Reflections. (Image: Tourism Australia/Jarrad Seng)

Don’t miss: A visit to the quirky village of Gnomesville in the Ferguson Valley should be on your radar. As should a stop at Wellington Dam to see Reflections, the large-scale mural painted by artist Guido van Helten splashed across its 8000-square-metre surface.

Nature’s Way Loop, NT

the sandstone walls of Nitmiluk Gorge, NT road trip
The soaring sandstone walls of Nitmiluk Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/Lachlan Gardiner)

The Nature’s Way Loop is a road trip made memorable thanks to the Northern Territory’s wild landscapes. From the ritual of watching the sun set over the Timor Sea at Mindil Beach Markets in Darwin to observing the shifting colours of Kakadu, wild swimming at Litchfield National Park and appreciating the untamed beauty of Nitmiluk, this Top End trail is unlike any other.

Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr in Kakadu
See Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr in Kakadu. (Image: Tourism NT/As We Wander)

Don’t miss: The Aboriginal rock art galleries at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) in Kakadu and a soak in Katherine Hot Springs.

Binns Track, NT

a 4WD traversing Binns Track on an NT road trip
Bounce along Binns Track bound for the Red Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/Jake Appleby)

Crank up the car karaoke as you bounce along the 2230-kilometre Binns Track in Central Australia – named after Bill Binns, a former NT Parks and Wildlife ranger who created the 10-day 4WD trip. The epic track, which runs almost the entire length of the state, covers some of the lesser-known attractions of the NT between Mt Dare and Alice Springs.

Don’t miss: Mac Clark (Acacia Peuce) Conservation Reserve, home to one of the world’s rarest trees.

Red Centre Way & East Macdonnell Ranges Loop, NT

a scenic flight over Ulur-u Kata Tjut–a National Park
Fly over Ulur−u in the dusky dawn light. (Image: Tourism NT/Sean Scott)

Red Centre Way and the East Macdonnell Ranges loop offers road-trippers the quintessential outback experience. The drive combines two road trips: it circles around the navel of Australia between Uluru and Alice Springs, taking in iconic attractions such as Kings Canyon and the Macdonnell Ranges.

Don’t miss: Watching Uluru change colours like a mood ring at different times of the day. And, if your budget allows, taking a scenic flight over Kings Canyon from Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon .

Great Eastern Drive, Tas

an aerial view of Wineglass Bay on a Tasmania road trip
Drink in views of Wineglass Bay. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/Scott Sporleder)

This drive between Hobart and St Helens along Tassie’s east coast is known for its stunning capes, beautiful bays, great seafood and cellar doors.

al fresco oysters at Freycinet Marine Farm
Enjoy al fresco oysters at Freycinet Marine Farm. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Don’t Miss: The pristine Freycinet Peninsula for both its scenery and seafood. Trace the white sands of Wineglass Bay on foot and call in at Freycinet Marine Farm for fresh oysters. Spotting penguins in Bicheno is also a must.

Northern Forage Trail, Tas

the Floating Sauna at Lake Derby
Go off-grid at Floating Sauna, Lake Derby. (Image: Emilie Ristevski)

The food and wine scene is booming on the Apple Isle. This foodie-focused road trip in northern Tasmania starts in Launceston before weaving through the Tamar Valley and onto Devonport, Sheffield and Stanley.

Don’t miss: Grazing your way along the Northern Forage Trail to gain a sense of place. Unearth black truffles at the Truffle Farm in Deloraine . Sip your way through the cool-climate wines of the Tamar Valley. Pick up provisions at farm gates, breweries, distilleries and cellar doors that showcase the best of the region’s bounty. Be sure to factor in a visit to the Floating Sauna, Lake Derby , Australia’s only floating woodfired sauna.

Cradle to Coast, Tas

Written by: Elizabeth Whitehead

an aerial view of Gordon River
Join a wilderness journey with Gordon River Cruises. (Image: RACT Destinations)

It’s one of Tasmania’s most rewarding road trips. The drive circles the breathtaking Cradle Mountain –Lake St Clair National Park, taking in both of the region’s headline acts – iconic Cradle Mountain in the north and serenely beautiful Lake St Clair in the south. You can’t simply cut through the national park, and it’s just as well – there’s plenty more to see driving the long way around.

Don’t miss: The wild west coast town of Strahan, the starting point for cruises along the Gordon River. Also, the dramatic, lunar-like landscapes of Queenstown, the gateway to Tasmania’s rugged west coast.

Scenic Rim Road Trip, Qld

the summit of Mt Barney in the Scenic Rim
The rugged peak of Mt Barney in the Scenic Rim. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Queensland’s Scenic Rim, on the Traditional Lands of the Yugambeh People, is all about taking your foot off the pedal for an extended epicurean adventure. The region, which extends more than 4000 square kilometres, is jam-packed with everything from paddock-to-plate eateries to cafes that turn up the country charm.

Don’t miss: There are plenty of foodie-focused pit stops to be made along the way, but The Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm is a must in August when it’s in bloom.

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Pacific Coast Way, Qld

an aerial view of Shute Harbour, Whitsundays
Shute Harbour is the jumping-off point for a lot of tours in the Whitsundays. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Kyle Hunter)

The Pacific Coast Way is like a string of pearls that loops from the Gold Coast all the way to Cairns. Succumb to its charms, from sunsets airbrushed pink on the Fraser Coast to the blue-green waters of the Capricorn Coast and swaying palms of Tropical North Queensland.

Don’t miss: A side trip to the Whitsundays, where you can swing in a hammock over the milky-white sands of Hayman Island.

Mt Isa Discovery Drive, Qld

the dinosaur trail, Mt Isa Discovery Drive
Follow Australia’s Dinosaur Trail. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Mt Isa Discovery Drive is a compelling route that cuts right through the guts of Australia.

Set off from Townsville under a painted-on blue sky bound for Mt Isa on this 12-day adventure that links the Overlander’s Way with Australia’s Dinosaur Trail , where you can witness incredible 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints.

kayaking at LawnHill Gorge, Wugudaji/Adels Grove
Kayak around Lawn Hill Gorge at Wugudaji/Adels Grove. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Reuben Nutt)

Don’t miss: Having a coldie and a yarn with some of the colourful locals at the Middleton Hotel, one of the most isolated outback pubs in Queensland.

Namadgi National Park Scenic Drive, ACT

the giant boulders in Namadgi National Park
Look out over the shoulders of giant boulders in Namadgi National Park. (Image: Visit Canberra)

Namadgi National Park is one of the vast tracts of pristine wilderness highlighted in Australian Geographic’s Escape to Nature. It’s the ACT’s only true national park, a mix of meadows carpeted with wildflowers and alpine, inland, tableland and coastal environments.

Don’t miss: Pack your hiking boots so you can take advantage of the multitude of tracks that crisscross throughout the park. The paths take in cascading waterfalls and sweeping alpine vistas.

Canberra’s Snowies Alpine Way, ACT

Written by: Elizabeth Whitehead

the Kosciuszko National Park
Kosciuszko National Park is a delight in summer. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Who says the Snowy Mountains are best visited over winter? Leave your skis behind and head south from Canberra where the terrain rises up as you enter Alpine Country on your way to the so-called roof of Australia in Kosciuszko National Park.

Don’t miss: Throwing a line into one of the Snowy’s trout-rich rivers, or taking a refreshing dip in an icy alpine stream and doing your best Wim Hof impression. Take advantage of the abundance of alpine trails, including the summit of Kosciuszko, and treat yourself to a post-hike brew with a view at the Dalgety Brewing Company .

Canberra Wine Region, ACT

lunch at Pavilion Restaurant at Pialligo Estate
Enjoy an express lunch at Pavilion Restaurant at Pialligo Estate. (Image: Ben Calvert)

Most of the vineyards that make up the Canberra Wine Region are, in fact, outside the city limits. All up, there are 140 vineyards with more than 40 wineries within 35 minutes of the nation’s capital, from Murrumbateman to Gundaroo, Bungendore and Collector.

Don’t miss: Lunch at the paddock-to-plate Pavilion Restaurant at Pialligo Estate on the banks of the Molonglo River. You can also enjoy refined country fare at Grazing Restaurant , housed in the 1865 Royal Hotel in the charming township of Gundaroo.

SA Seafood Frontier, SA

an oyster farm tour in Coffin Bay
Experience Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

You could spend weeks sampling the very best of South Australia’s so-called Seafood Frontier. The self-drive trail stretches for about 1000 kilometres around the Eyre Peninsula, taking in Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay before finishing up at the Head of Bight.

Don’t miss: The seafood, of course! The ultimate Eyre Peninsula itinerary should include swimming with giant cuttlefish in Whyalla, sampling kingfish in situ in the Spencer Gulf and embarking on an oyster farm tour of Coffin Bay .

Explorers Way Loop, SA

a woman exploring the hills of Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park
See the spectacular painted hills of Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park. (Image: Take Us With You)

The iconic Explorers Way that journeys into South Australia’s outback starts in Adelaide and meanders around the Clare Valley, Coober Pedy and up to Oodnadatta. The return route is via unsealed 4WD roads, taking in Flinders Ranges National Park and Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary .

Don’t miss: The majestic amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound is a sight to behold.

Mighty Murray Way, SA

people relaxing at Wilkadene Brewery on the banks of the Murray River
Visit Wilkadene Brewery on the banks of the Murray River. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The Mighty Murray Way follows one of the world’s longest rivers, tracing it all the way through SA’s Riverland region to the Victorian border. There are plenty of opportunities to visit distilleries, pubs and breweries, such as the Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery , as you drive through the changing pastoral landscape.

Don’t miss: Lunch at the historic Overland Corner Hotel , on the section between Morgan and Barmera. If you have time, continue via ferry from Cape Jervis for a victory lap around Kangaroo Island.

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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The Macedon Ranges is Victoria’s best-kept food and wine secret

    Emily McAuliffe Emily McAuliffe
    Located just an hour north-west of Melbourne, the largely undiscovered Macedon Ranges quietly pours some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines and serves up some of Victoria’s best food.

    Mention the Macedon Ranges and most people will think of day spas and mineral springs around Daylesford, cosy weekends away in the countryside or the famous Hanging Rock (of enigmatic picnic fame). Or they won’t have heard of the Macedon Ranges at all.

    But this cool-climate destination has been inconspicuously building a profile as a high-quality food and wine region and is beginning to draw serious attention from oenophiles and epicureans alike.

    The rise of Macedon Ranges wine

    liquid gold barrels at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery
    Barrels of liquid gold at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    With elevations ranging from 300 to 800 metres, Macedon Ranges vineyards are among the highest in the country. This altitude, combined with significant day/night temperature swings, makes for a slow ripening season, in turn nurturing wines that embody elegance and structure. Think crisp chardonnays, subtle yet complex pinot noirs and delicate sparkling wines, along with niche varietals, such as gamay and nebbiolo.

    Despite the region’s natural advantages – which vary from estate to estate, as each site embodies unique terroir depending on its position in relation to the Great Dividing Range, soil make-up and altitude – the Macedon Ranges has remained something of an insider’s secret. Unlike Victoria’s Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, you won’t find large tour buses here and there’s no mass marketing drawing crowds.

    Many of the 40-odd wineries are family-run operations with modest yields, meaning the wineries maintain a personal touch (if you visit a cellar door, you’ll likely chat to the owner or winemaker themselves) and a tight sales circle that often doesn’t go far beyond said cellar door. And that’s part of the charm.

    Though wines from the Macedon Ranges are just starting to gain more widespread recognition in Australia, the first vines were planted in the 1860s, with a handful of operators then setting up business in the 1970s and ’80s. The industry surged again in the 1990s and early 2000s with the entry of wineries, such as Mount Towrong, which has an Italian slant in both its wine and food offering, and Curly Flat , now one of the largest estates.

    Meet the new generation of local winemakers

    the Clydesdale barn at Paramoor.
    The Clydesdale barn at Paramoor. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Then, within the last 15 years, a new crop of vignerons like Andrew Wood at Kyneton Ridge Estate , whose vineyard in 2024 was the first in the Macedon Ranges to be certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia; Geoff Plahn and Samantha Reid at Paramoor , who have an impressive cellar door with a roaring fire and studded leather couches in an old Clydesdale barn; and Ollie Rapson and Renata Morello at Lyons Will , who rapidly expanded a small vineyard to focus on top-shelf riesling, gamay, pinot noir and chardonnay, have taken ownership of local estates.

    Going back to the early days, Llew Knight’s family was one of the pioneers of the 1970s, replacing sheep with vines at Granite Hills when the wool industry dwindled. Knight is proud of the fact that all their wines are made with grapes from their estate, including a light, peppery shiraz (some Macedon wineries purchase fruit from nearby warmer areas, such as Heathcote, particularly to make shiraz) and a European-style grüner veltliner. And, as many other wineries in the region do, he relies on natural acid for balance, rather than an additive, which is often required in warmer regions. “It’s all about understanding and respecting your climate to get the best out of your wines,” he says.

    farm animals atKyneton Ridge Estate
    Curious residents at Kyneton Ridge Estate. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Throughout the Macedon Ranges, there’s a growing focus on sustainability and natural and low-intervention wines, with producers, such as Brian Martin at Hunter Gatherer making waves in regenerative viticulture. Martin previously worked in senior roles at Australia’s largest sparkling winemaking facility, and now applies that expertise and his own nous to natural, hands‑off, wild-fermented wines, including pét‑nat, riesling and pinot noir. “Wild fermentation brings more complexity,” he says. “Instead of introducing one species of yeast, you can have thousands and they add different characteristics to the wine.”

    the vineyard at Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery
    The estate’s vineyard, where cool-climate grapes are grown. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Most producers also focus on nurturing their grapes in-field and prune and pick by hand, thus avoiding the introduction of impurities and the need to meddle too much in the winery. “The better the quality of the fruit, the less you have to interfere with the natural winemaking process,” says Wood.

    Given the small yields, there’s also little room for error, meaning producers place immense focus on quality. “You’re never going to compete in the middle [in a small region] – you’ve got to aim for the top,” says Curly Flat owner Jeni Kolkka. “Big wineries try to do things as fast as possible, but we’re in no rush,” adds Troy Walsh, owner and winemaker at Attwoods . “We don’t use commercial yeasts; everything is hand-harvested and everything is bottled here, so we bottle only when we’re ready, not when a big truck arrives.” That’s why, when you do see a Macedon Ranges product on a restaurant wine list, it’s usually towards the pointy end.

    Come for the wine, stay for the food

    pouring sauce onto a dish at Lake HouseDaylesford
    Dining at Lake House Daylesford is a treat. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    If wine is the quiet achiever of the Macedon Ranges, then food is its not-so-secret weapon. In fact, the area has more hatted restaurants than any other region in Victoria. A pioneer of the area’s gourmet food movement is region cheerleader Alla Wolf-Tasker, culinary icon and founder of Daylesford’s Lake House.

    For more than three decades, Wolf-Tasker has championed local producers and helped define what regional fine dining can look like in Australia. Her influence is palpable, not just in the two-hatted Lake House kitchen, but in the broader ethos of the region’s dining scene, as a wave of high-quality restaurants have followed her lead to become true destination diners.

    the Midnight Starling restaurant in Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery
    The hatted Midnight Starling restaurant is located in Kyneton. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    It’s easy to eat well, whether at other hatted restaurants, such as Midnight Starling in the quaint town of Kyneton, or at the wineries themselves, like Le Bouchon at Attwoods, where Walsh is inspired by his time working in France in both his food offering and winemaking.

    The beauty of dining and wine touring in the Macedon Ranges is that it feels intimate and unhurried. You’re likely to meet the winemaker, hear about the trials of the latest vintage firsthand, and taste wines that never make it to city shelves. And that’s worth getting out of the city for – even if it is just an hour down the road.

    dishes on the menu at Midnight Starling
    Delicate dishes on the menu at Midnight Starling. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    A traveller’s checklist

    Staying there

    the accommodation at Cleveland Estate, Macedon Ranges
    Stay at the Cleveland Estate. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Soak up vineyard views from Cleveland Estate near Lancefield , embrace retro charm at Kyneton Springs Motel or indulge in lakeside luxury at the Lake House .

    Eating there

    Enjoy a four-course menu at the one-hatted Surly Goat in Hepburn Springs, Japanese-inspired fare at Kuzu in Woodend or unpretentious fine dining at Mount Monument , which also has a sculpture park.

    Drinking there

    wine tasting at PassingClouds Winery, Macedon Ranges
    A tasting at Passing Clouds Winery. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Settle in for a tasting at Boomtown in Castlemaine, sample local drops at the cosy Woodend Cellar & Bar or wine-hop around the many cellar doors, such as Passing Clouds .

    the Boomtown Winery and Cellar Bar signage
    Boomtown Winery and Cellar Bar. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Playing there

    a scenic river in Castlemaine
    Idyllic scenes at Castlemaine. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Wander through the seasonal splendour of Forest Glade Gardens , hike to the summit of Hanging Rock, or stroll around the tranquil Sanatorium Lake.

    purple flowers hanging from a tree
    Purple flowers hanging from a tree. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)