These include the Mill Castlemaine, a melting pot of creative small businesses – including cheese shops, bakeries, winemakers, brewers, chocolatiers, and a vast Vintage Bazaar – all housed in a reimagined 1870s woollen mill.

In the Castlemaine Market Building, the Boorp Boorp Boondyil Exhibition teaches visitors about the Dja Dja Wurrung history of the area; and a visit to Buda Castlemaine offers visitors a unique insight into the late 19th and early 20th century here by viewing the original furnishings, personal belongings, and art collection of the Leviny family.

Another must is the Victorian Goldfields Railway, an authentic steam era train experience linking Castlemaine with Maldon, another historic gold mining town.

And Castlemaine’s Botanical Gardens are the perfect place for a picnic or a walk around the ornamental lake while enjoying the impressive collection of native and exotic trees.

As mentioned earlier, Castlemaine is well known for its busy events calendar, with the next cab off the rank being the Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens in November, during which dozens of stunning gardens in the area open their gates to the public.

Camping wise, there’s the Castlemaine Big4 Caravan Park; as well as free camping options at Walmer State Forest Recreation Area six kilometres out of town; and there are several unpowered campgrounds at Castlemaine Diggings National Park about 20 kilometres away; and many other camping options.

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