You Ultimate Guide to Where to Eat, Shop and Stay In Trentham

Explore Trentham’s top dining spots, stylish accommodations, and outdoor activities in this ultimate guide to one of Victoria’s hidden gems.

Tucked between Daylesford and Woodend, Trentham may be small, with not much more than one main street, but it’s packed with delightful surprises. Its crisp air, tranquil streets, and gold rush history from the 1850s lend the village its country charm, while a creative pulse runs through every corner, attracting a new wave of visitors.

While travellers often dedicate much of their time and attention to the busier Macedon-Daylesford regions nearby, those in the know recognise Trentham for what it is—a burgeoning hidden gem that’s more than worthy of its time in the limelight.

The best Trentham restaurants

With a focus on local flavours and seasonal produce, Trentham’s diverse restaurant scene caters to both casual dining and gourmet indulgence.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel

Sitting proudly on the corner of High Street and Cosmo Road, The Cosmopolitan Hotel has stood the test of time since 1866. Its sweeping verandahs and storied walls invite you in for a meal crafted with heart. Expect a seasonal menu brimming with fresh, locally sourced flavours that pay homage to the area’s rich agricultural landscape.

Wander the scenic garden paths, shaded by towering elms, while devouring wood-fired pizzas and regional wines. The garden courtyard is ideal for leisurely gatherings, where the laid-back ambience sets the perfect backdrop in this vibrant town.

Address: 21 High Street, Trentham

Du Fermier

Brimming with the rustic beauty of a French country kitchen, Du Fermier invites guests to indulge in a surprise feast inspired by the freshest ingredients of the day. Chef Annie Smithers personally selects produce from her garden, crafting each course with an exquisite balance of local flavour and French flair.

Limited to just a few service days each week, reservations (well in advance, as sittings sell like hotcakes!) are essential. Visit during the warmer months for a meal that sings of spring vegetables and blooming herbs, all set in the inviting ambience of this local treasure.

Address: 42 High Street, Trentham

Hotel Trentham

While Hotel Trentham has enjoyed a recent renovation, it has honoured its 1926 roots, keeping things relaxed while elevating the pub dining experience. The well-priced menu, crafted with local and Australian produce, delivers familiar classics that are as comforting as they are fulfilling.

The beer garden is a true highlight, with picnic tables for the whole gang—kids playing, dogs lounging, and live music softly setting the mood. It’s a place where everyone feels part of the fun, making it an ideal spot for a laid-back afternoon.

Address: 31 High Street, Trentham

Pig and Whistle Hotel

A place where the heart of Australian pub culture still beats strong, the Pig and Whistle Hotel blends its 1887 roots with a fresh, country-style menu. From hearty bangers and mash to crispy fish and chips, every dish offers a true taste of the region.

Settle into the hotel’s beer garden, where live music and shaded picnic tables create a cosy space to savour good food and great company. With its laid-back vibe and lush surroundings, it’s easy to see why this pub remains a favourite in Trentham East.

Address: 705 James Lane, Trentham East

Mr Peacock

Bringing a bit of nightlife sparkle to Trentham, Mr Peacock nods to classic neighbourhood wine bars, offering a refined yet no-fuss spot for dinner and drinks. Since opening in early 2022, this new kid on the block has earned a loyal following and cemented its status as a local gem.

The menu here may be small, but it packs a punch, featuring charcuterie, sharing plates, and highly-rated pizzas. Pair your meal with a drink from their carefully curated list, serving creative cocktails and an impressive range of wines, many from surrounding regional vineyards.

Address: 44 High Street, Trentham

Cafes and casual eats

From homely cafes to artisan bakeries, Trentham’s casual dining spots offer delicious, down-to-earth meals prime for a quick bite or a relaxed stop.

Trentham General

Housed in the beautifully restored old Bank of Australasia, Trentham General is a cafe brimming with character. Their nourishing menu is designed to please, with the signature Trentham Happy Hens Eggs on Zeally Bay sourdough being the ultimate breakfast pick, while the Halloumi Burger is a lunchtime fave.

Inside, you’ll find a stylish mix of banquet seating, bentwood chairs, and indoor plants. On sunny days, the outdoor tables are great for soaking up the lively streetscape and enjoying some people-watching alongside your coffee.

Address: 37A High Street, Trentham

RedBeard Historic Bakery

RedBeard Historic Bakery honours the time-honoured tradition of wood-fired baking. Their sourdough, baked in a restored 1891 oven, is the undeniable star—crunchy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside, a true artisan masterpiece.

In addition to their famous bread, you’ll find tasty treats like sausage rolls, pizza slices, hot diggity dogs, and a rotating selection of cakes to satisfy the sweet tooth. This bakery is legendary among locals, and it’s easy to see why.

Address: 38A High Street, Trentham

Trentham Bakery

Another beloved local bakery, Trentham Bakery is known for its quality, freshness, and affordability. The old-school signage invites you in, and once inside, the aroma of freshly baked goods fills the air. Their homemade pies and sausage rolls are firm favourites.

Pair your pastry pick with a perfectly brewed coffee, or opt for a sweet treat from their tempting cake selection to take home.

Address: 50/52 High Street, Trentham

Things to do in Trentham

Trentham may be teeny-tiny, but it’s brimming with activities, from discovering local boutiques to immersing yourself in the area’s natural beauty.

Go boutique shopping

Wandering the quaint streets of Trentham offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in boutique shopping. Kuki Trentham draws you in with its selection of chic homewares and fashion, while Vincent Jenden’s design space, tucked away in the rear verandah, offers a glimpse into inspired interior creativity. For an extra dose of luxury, visit The House of Marcelle and Mr John , where refined decor and beautiful gifts capture the essence of upscale country living.

Visit an art gallery

a look inside Little Gallery Trentham — Little Gallery Trentham features contemporary paintings and unique sculptures.

Run by local artists, Little Gallery Trentham showcases an imaginative mix of fine art from emerging and mid-career Australian talents. Established in 2012, the gallery has become a cultural hub, connecting visitors with the artistic soul of the Central Victorian Highlands.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration or a chance to connect with local artists, the gallery’s ever-evolving exhibitions provide something fresh with every visit, from contemporary paintings to unique sculptures.

Explore natural wonders

the Trentham Falls from above — The majestic Trentham Falls is nothing short of spectacular. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Lace up your boots and explore the Wombat State Forest, where the Wombat Trail offers an eight-kilometre loop circling the town of Trentham. From scenic bushland to towering trees, this tranquil walk takes you through nature at its best, with chances to spot native wildlife along the way.

Nearby, Trentham Falls dazzles with its 32-metre drop. This spectacular waterfall, especially powerful in winter and spring, is a must-see for those seeking a deeper connection to Central Victoria’s untamed landscapes.

Top Trentham accommodation

For travellers seeking a countryside retreat, Trentham presents a range of standout options, from stylish cottages to a modern take on traditional pub lodging.

The Estate Trentham

Housed in a restored 1902 Federation home, The Estate Trentham offers a stylish escape with Scandinavian-inspired spaces, designed by interior stylist Lynda Gardener. The fresh white walls, dark floors, and natural wood furniture create a peaceful, airy ambience, while curated collections of old and new add intrigue to each room.

Outside, the garden overflows with seasonal produce, from fresh herbs to ripe fruit, ready for guests to handpick. The surrounding orchard and Mediterranean-style garden provide a picturesque setting for dining alfresco or simply unwinding in the lush countryside.

Address: 17 Falls Road, Trentham

Acre of Roses

Hidden within a lush garden oasis, Acre of Roses offers a luxurious escape with dual accommodations. The beautifully restored two-bedroom Miner’s Cottage combines vintage allure with modern comfort, with access to a cedar hot tub. Meanwhile, The Potting Shed provides a studio-style hideaway for couples seeking a romantic retreat.

Both accommodations enjoy access to the sprawling rose garden, providing a stunning backdrop for relaxation. Wander the pathways, and don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

Address: 5 Blue Mount Road, Trentham

Hotel Trentham

Reviving the tradition of pub lodgings, Hotel Trentham offers a modern twist on an old classic. While it maintains the appeal of nostalgic country town stays, it has evolved with two fully furnished, two-storey villas. These stylish accommodations provide a superb base for families and friends to hit the town’s highlights.

Conveniently located just steps from Trentham’s main streets, the villas offer easy access to local cafes, shops, and galleries. With spacious living areas and modern amenities, the villas are ideal for travellers seeking comfort and convenience.

Address: 31-35 High Street, Trentham

Discover incredible things to do in Daylesford.

Video credit: Visit Victoria/Tourism Australia

The Grampians just might be the ultimate antidote for the metropolis, writes one returning Aussie ready to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect to the Great outdoors.

There are no kangaroos back in Chicago: they’re all here in the Grampians/Gariwerd . In the heart of the Grampians National Park’s main gateway town, Halls Gap, pods of eastern greys are eating grass beside my parked rental car beneath the stars. Next morning, when I see the backyard of my rented villa on the edge of town for the first time, there are kangaroos feeding beside a slow-moving creek, lined with river red gums.

Five hundred metres up the road, 50 or so of them are eating by the side of the road in a paddock. I pull over to watch and spot three emus. Yellow-tailed black cockatoos fly overhead towards the tall green mountains just beyond town.

‘Kee-ow, keee-oww’… their calls fuse with the maniacal cackle of a kookaburra (or 10). Gawd, how I’ve missed the sound of them. Far above, a wedge-tailed eagle watches, and there you go: the ‘great birds of Australia’ trifecta, all half a kay from the town limits.

Exchanging city chaos for country calm

kangaroos near Halls Gap, Grampians National Park — The park is renowned for its significant diversity of native fauna species. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)

I’ve come to the Grampians to disconnect, but the bush offers a connection of its own. This isn’t just any bush, mind you. The Grampians National Park is iconic for many reasons, mostly for its striking sandstone mountains – five ridges run north to south, with abrupt, orange slopes which tumble right into Halls Gap – and for the fact there’s 20,000 years of traditional rock art. Across these mountains there are more than 200 recorded sites to see, created by the Djab Wurrung, Jardwadjali and Gunditjmara peoples. It’s just like our outback… but three hours from Melbourne.

I’ve come here for a chance at renewal after the chaos of my life in America’s third-largest city, Chicago, where I live for now, at the whim of a relative’s cancer journey. Flying into Melbourne’s airport, it only takes an hour’s drive to feel far away from any concept of suburbia. When I arrive in Halls Gap two hours later, the restaurant I’m eating at clears out entirely by 7:45pm; Chicago already feels a lifetime ago.

The trails and treasures of the Grampians

sunrise at Grampians National Park /Gariwerd — Grampians National Park /Gariwerd covers almost 2000 square kilometres. (Image: Ben Savage)

Though the national park covers almost 2000 square kilometres, its best-known landmarks are remarkably easy to access. From my carpark here, among the cockatoos and kangaroos on the fringe of Halls Gap, it only takes 60 seconds’ driving time before I’m winding my way up a steep road through rainforest, deep into the mountains.

Then it’s five minutes more to a carpark that serves as a trailhead for a hike to one of the park’s best vantage points, The Pinnacles . I walk for an hour or so, reacquainting myself with the smells and the sounds of the Aussie bush, before I reach it: a sheer cliff’s edge lookout 500 metres up above Halls Gap.

walking through a cave, Hollow Mountain — Overlooking the vast Grampians landscape from Hollow Mountain. (Image: Robert Blackburn)

There are hikes and there are lookouts and waterfalls all across this part of the park near town. Some are a short stroll from a carpark; others involve long, arduous hikes through forest. The longest is the Grampians Peaks Trail , Victoria’s newest and longest iconic walk, which runs 160 kilometres – the entire length of Grampians National Park.

Local activities operator Absolute Outdoors shows me glimpses of the trail. The company’s owner, Adrian Manikas, says it’s the best walk he’s done in Australia. He says he’s worked in national parks across the world, but this was the one he wanted to bring his children up in.

“There’s something about the Grampians,” he says, as he leads me up a path to where there’s wooden platforms for tents, beside a hut looking straight out across western Victoria from a kilometre up in the sky (these are part of the guided hiking options for the trail). “There are things out here that you won’t see anywhere else in Australia.” Last summer, 80 per cent of the park was damaged by bushfire, but Manikas shows me its regrowth, and tells me of the manic effort put in by volunteers from town – with firefighters from all over Australia – to help save Halls Gap.

wildflowers in Grampians National Park — Spot wildflowers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

We drive back down to Halls Gap at dusk to abseil down a mountain under the stars, a few minutes’ walk off the main road into town. We have headlamps, but a full moon is enough to light my way down. It takes blind faith to walk backwards down a mountain into a black void, though the upside is I can’t see the extent of my descent.

Grampians National Park at sunset. (Image: Wine Australian)

The stargazing is ruined by the moon, of course, but you should see how its glow lights up the orange of the sandstone, like in a theme park. When I’m done, I stand on a rocky plateau drinking hot chocolate and listening to the Aussie animals who prefer nighttime. I can see the streets of Halls Gap off in the distance on this Friday night. The restaurants may stay open until 8pm tonight.

What else is on offer in The Grampians?

a boat travelling along the Wimmera River inDimboola — Travelling along the Wimmera River in Dimboola. (Image: Chris McConville)

You’ll find all sorts of adventures out here – from rock climbing to canoeing to hiking – but there’s more to the Grampians than a couple of thousand square kilometres of trees and mountains. Halls Gap may be known to most people, but what of Pomonal, and Dimboola, and Horsham? Here in the shadow of those big sandstone mountains there are towns and communities most of us don’t know to visit.

And who knew that the Grampians is home to Victoria’s most underrated wine region ? My disconnection this morning comes not in a forest, but in the tasting rooms and winery restaurants of the district. Like Pomonal Estate, barely 10 minutes’ drive east of Halls Gap, where UK-born chef Dean Sibthorp prepares a locally caught barramundi with lentil, pumpkin and finger lime in a restaurant beside the vines at the base of the Grampians. Husband-and-wife team Pep and Adam Atchison tell me stories as they pour their prize wines (shiraz is the hero in these parts).

dining at Pomonal Estate — Dine in a restaurant beside vines at Pomonal Estate. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Three minutes’ drive back down the road, long-time mates Hadyn Black and Darcy Naunton run an eclectic cellar door out of a corrugated iron shed, near downtown Pomonal. The Christmas before last, half the houses in Pomonal burnt down in a bushfire, but these locals are a resilient lot.

The fires also didn’t stop the construction of the first art centre in Australia dedicated to environmental art in a nature-based precinct a little further down the road (that’s Wama – the National Centre for Environmental Arts), which opened in July. And some of the world’s oldest and rarest grape vines have survived 160 years at Best’s Wines, outside the heritage town of Great Western. There’s plantings here from the year 1868, and there’s wines stored in century-old barrels within 150-year-old tunnels beneath the tasting room. On the other side of town, Seppelt Wines’ roots go back to 1865. They’re both only a 30-minute drive from Halls Gap.

Salingers of Great Western — Great Western is a charming heritage town. (Image: Griffin Simm)

There’s more to explore yet; I drive through tiny historic towns that barely make the map. Still part of the Grampians, they’re as pretty as the mountains behind them: full of late 19th-century/early 20th-century post offices, government offices and bank buildings, converted now to all manner of bric-a-brac stores and cafes.

The Imaginarium is one, in quirky Dimboola, where I sleep in the manager’s residence of an old National Australia Bank after a gourmet dinner at the local golf club, run by noted chef and teacher, Cat Clarke – a pioneer of modern Indigenous Australian cooking. Just south, I spend an entire afternoon at a winery, Norton Estate Wines, set on rolling calico-coloured hills that make me think of Tuscany, chit-chatting with owners Chris and Sam Spence.

Being here takes me back two decades, when I lived here for a time. It had all seemed as foreign as if I’d driven to another planet back then (from Sydney/Warrane), but there seemed something inherently and immediately good about this place, like I’d lived here before.

And it’s the Australian small-town familiarity of the Grampians that offers me connection back to my own country. Even in the better-known Halls Gap, Liz from Kerrie’s Creations knows I like my lattes with soy milk and one sugar. And while I never do get the name of the lady at the local Ampol station, I sure know a lot about her life.

Kookaburras on a tree — Kookaburras are one of some 230 bird species. (Image: Darren Donlen)

You can be a local here in a day; how good is that? In Chicago, I don’t even know who my neighbour is. Though each day at dusk – when the kangaroos gather outside my villa, and the kookaburras and the black cockatoos shout out loud before settling in to sleep – I prefer the quieter connection I get out there in the bush, beneath these orange mountains.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Sleep beside the wildlife on the edge of Halls Gap at Serenity .

Playing there

abseiling down Hollow Mountain — Hollow Mountain is a popular abseiling site.

Go abseiling under the stars or join a guided hike with Absolute Outdoors . Visit Wama , Australia’s first environmental art centre. Check out Dimboola’s eccentric Imaginarium .

Eating there

steak, naan bread and beer at Paper Scissors Rock in Halls Gap — Paper Scissors Rock in Halls Gap serves a great steak on naan bread.

Eat world-class cuisine at Pomonal Estate . Dine and stay at much-revered icon Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld. The ‘steak on naan’ at Halls Gap brewhouse Paper Scissors Rock , can’t be beat.

Dunkeld Arboretum in Grampians National Park — The serene Dunkeld Arboretum.

For Halls Gap’s best breakfasts head to Livefast Cafe . Sip local wines at Great Western’s historic wineries, Best’s Wines , Seppelt Wines and Norton Estate Wines .

two glasses of beer at Paper Scissors Rock in Halls Gap — Sink a cold one at Paper Scissors Rock.

The complete guide to Trentham – here’s where to eat, shop and stay

Explore Trentham’s top dining spots, stylish accommodations, and outdoor activities in this ultimate guide to one of Victoria’s hidden gems.

The best Trentham restaurants

The Cosmopolitan Hotel

Du Fermier

Hotel Trentham

Pig and Whistle Hotel

Mr Peacock

Cafes and casual eats

Trentham General

RedBeard Historic Bakery

Trentham Bakery

Things to do in Trentham

Go boutique shopping

Visit an art gallery

Explore natural wonders

Top Trentham accommodation

Acre of Roses

Hotel Trentham

8 incredible hikes just outside of Melbourne

The Macedon Ranges is Victoria’s best-kept food and wine secret

Hepburn Bathhouse reopens with new mineral baths and experiences

The best Daylesford accommodation for a perfect weekend getaway

This scenic Victorian region is the perfect antidote to city life

The Grampians just might be the ultimate antidote for the metropolis, writes one returning Aussie ready to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect to the Great outdoors.

Exchanging city chaos for country calm

The trails and treasures of the Grampians

What else is on offer in The Grampians?

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Playing there

Eating there