Australians are looking for deeper meaning in their holiday experiences, ones that expand the mind while we travel, according to our 100 Greatest Holidays of Australia. And Aussie’s are flying the culture vulture route well outside the big cities, the traditional bastions of all things edifying: whether it’s travelling to an inspiring indigenous dance gala in the outback; letting yourself go at one of the more progressive festivals; or challenging ideas at the refreshingly challenging MONA.
So here are the top 10 places our 20-member panel of experts deemed to be the go-to destinations for culture vultures (with the position they finished overall in the 100 – and beyond – in brackets).
The well-preserved Gold Rushtown where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.
Cafe culture
‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso , and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.
Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)
On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.
Brilliant brews, bars and food
The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)
The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.
A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack . Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.
The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)
For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.
Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)
Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal , is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.
Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)
Quirky country stays
Quirky, authentic and perfectly located, the Midland Hotel is a private hotel that dates back to 1879. Each of the nine rooms at the Northern Arts Hotel is different and named in honour of an Australian artist. Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation also has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers.
