The best Daylesford accommodation for a perfect weekend getaway

Plan your next getaway around one of these peaceful stays.

With its incredible range of activities and serene landscapes, Daylesford is a destination that deserves beautiful accommodation to match. From luxury lodges with onsite pampering spa treatments to cosy cottages nestled in lush gardens, you’ll find the ideal spot to recharge and make the most of your time in Victoria’s spa country.

Explore our top picks for the best accommodation in Daylesford.

1. Lake House

an aerial view of the Lake House, Daylesford — Retreat into this luxurious lakeside accommodation. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Overlooking the still waters of Lake Daylesford, Lake House is a luxurious retreat on beautifully landscaped grounds. This iconic property blends elegant accommodations and natural surroundings, featuring stylish hotel studios, suites and villas. Each space is thoughtfully designed, showcasing custom furnishings crafted by local artisans and adorned with original artwork.

Relax by the solar-heated infinity pool, enjoy a game of tennis, or take a stroll through the picturesque gardens. To elevate your stay, savour the acclaimed a la carte breakfast and buffet, featuring freshly baked sourdough and viennoiserie, or choose room service for a leisurely morning.

Price: $$$$$

Address: 4 King Street, Daylesford

2. Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm

the Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm in Daylesford — Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm is nestled in the serene countryside. (Image: Pauline Morrissey)

Surrounded by rolling hills, Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm presents an exclusive countryside escape, just 10 minutes from Daylesford. Each of its six private king suites afford the same level of refinement as its renowned sister property, Lake House, combining lavish designs with custom furnishings and locally sourced art for a truly sophisticated stay.

A dedicated Lodge Concierge is available to prepare a hearty country-style breakfast, light the fire pit, or craft a sunset cocktail. Lodgers can also explore the roughly 16-hectare regenerative farm – home to olive groves, vineyards, lush herb and vegetable gardens and an artisan bakehouse.

Price: $$$$$

Address: 238 Dairy Flat Road, Musk

3. Dollywood

the alfresco deck at Dollywood, Daylesford — Laze the day away on the deck. (Image: Dollywood)

Exuding retro charm, Dollywood is a chic departure from Daylesford’s usual quaint cottage lodgings. With its bold Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic, this stylish four-bedroom home combines modern amenities with vintage flair. A neon sign welcomes travellers into a vibrant space with a bubblegum pink door, wood-panelled walls and a cosy fireplace.

The open-plan living flows seamlessly onto a wrap-around deck with gorgeous countryside outlooks. Guests can make the most of the well-equipped kitchen, where a servery window connects to the deck – a gathering spot for alfresco dining – while fully immersed in the home’s laid-back California-cool vibe.

Price: $$$$

Address: 82 Central Springs Road, Daylesford

4. L’Atelier Daylesford

the apartment living room at L’Atelier Daylesford — The Parisian-style apartment has everything you need for a splendid stay.

Above the enchanting eCasa boutique , L’Atelier Daylesford is a beautifully designed Parisian-style apartment, housing two queen-sized bedrooms with luscious, soft linen bedding. With its antique decor, comfy linen sofas, an inviting freestanding bathtub and large picture windows that frame the historic town, this intimate retreat instils the feeling of a European retreat.

Situated along the town’s bustling main street, those staying will be tempted to explore Daylesford’s renowned dining scene by foot. The restaurant, Bistro Terroir , is just a short stroll away, where the French fare keeps things on theme.

Price: $$

Address: Confirmed upon booking

5. Clifftop at Hepburn

wine and tasting platter by the fire at Clifftop at Hepburn — Expect freestanding wood-burning fireplaces. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Perched on a cliffside, Clifftop at Hepburn boasts architecturally designed villas with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and bushland. Each villa, flooded with natural light through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, is named after romantic cities like Paris, Venice and Rome, heralding the ideal couples’ retreat.

Guests can indulge in upscale amenities, including spa baths, gas fireplaces and private balconies with uninterrupted vistas of Hepburn Gorge. Just minutes away is the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa , a highlight of Victoria’s legendary spa country and just one of the many incredible things to do in Daylesford.

Price: $$ – $$$

Address: 209 Main Road, Hepburn Springs

6. Headland

Headland Airbnb Daylesford — Sleep in elegance with a view of the countryside.

Tucked away in a serene garden, Headland is a storybook country cottage primed for a romantic getaway. With French provincial-inspired interiors – featuring classic white linens, plush scatter cushions and a wrought-iron bed frame – this snug retreat exudes elegance and comfort. The inviting porch adds to the allure, just the right spot for enjoying tranquil mornings or peaceful evenings in the fresh air.

While its vintage appeal sets a romantic tone, Headland reveals modern comforts throughout. Guests will appreciate the blackout blinds for restful nights, a luxe rainfall shower head in the bathroom and sleek Smeg appliances in the kitchen.

Address: Confirmed upon booking

Website: airbnb.com.au

Price: $$$

7. Shizuka Ryokan

two women embracing the peaceful ryokan lifestyle at Shizuka Ryokan — Shizuka Ryokan reflects the traditional ryokan style in Japan. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Transport yourself to Japan with a stay at Shizuka Ryokan , an adults-only retreat in Hepburn Springs designed to transpose the tranquillity of a traditional Japanese inn. Set amidst immaculately manicured gardens, this getaway crafts an authentic experience, complete with minimalist interiors, private tsuboniwa (small garden) and the calming ambience of tatami floors and futon bedding.

Relax with a soothing spa treatment or unwind in your room’s ensuite bath, donning a yukata (summer kimono) to fully embrace the peaceful ryokan lifestyle. To make your stay extra special, don’t miss the traditional Japanese breakfast, a highlight for many guests.

Price: $$$

Address: 7 Lakeside Dr, Hepburn

8. Milk and Honey

a bedroom facing sweeping views from the verandah — The verandah opens up to breathtaking views.

Offering a peaceful escape on the northern side of Wombat Hill, Milk and Honey is an elevated retreat that greets visitors with a charming, leafy stairway leading to its welcoming front door. Surrounded by lush gardens, the home boasts two bedrooms – each with king-sized beds and direct access to the sweeping verandah – with breathtaking countryside and Mount Franklin views.

When patrons aren’t enjoying the vistas or relaxing by the fireplace in winter, the home’s prime location means local gems like the Convent Gallery, Daylesford Sunday Market and the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens are just a short stroll away.

Price: $$$$

Address: Confirmed upon booking

9. Lancemore Cleveland Estate

the heritage-style homestead at Lancemore Cleveland Estate in Lancefield, Daylesford accommodation — Seek a peaceful escape in the countryside. (Image: Lancemore Cleveland Estate)

If you’re picturing a perfect getaway like a slow weekend in the countryside, then Lancemore Cleveland Estate in Lancefield (just outside Daylesford) is exactly how you dreamt it would be. The charming heritage-style homestead blends rustic charm with modern country chic.

Set amidst tranquil vineyards, this picture-perfect retreat serves as a great base to soak up all that the region has to offer. Sip exceptional wines at the underground cellar door and indulge in a fireside feast with flame-grilled meats under the stars. Then, slink back into one of the 50 modern accommodations, ranging from vineyard-view suites and cosy king rooms to a spectacularly restored 1880s Homestead.

Address: 55 Shannons Road, Lancefield

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.

Video credit: Tourism Australia