The Perfect 3-Day Kyneton Itinerary for a Cosy Escape

Kyneton tops the list of underrated regional Victorian destinations; follow our three-day itinerary to unearth her hidden gems for yourself.

Tucked away in a historic area known for its former gold rush glory days, Kyneton is a tiny town that is big on architecture, outdoor pursuits, cosy accommodation, natural attractions, retro pubs, and delicious eateries. Here’s a three-day itinerary for the small but mighty town.

Day one in Kyneton: a cafe, winery stop and retro motel

Whether you arrive in the morning or at lunch, a meal at Little Swallow Cafe is a must. Country cafes don’t come any cuter than this! Located on heritage-listed Piper Street, it features an innovative menu based around the region’s seasonal produce. With blooming floral arrangements adorning the sidewalk tables, kitsch knitted blanket throws on rustic wooden chairs and a lovely courtyard setting, dining here is an all-around pleasurable affair.

Three glasses of red wine — Make sure a wine tasting at Kyneton Ridge Estate is at the top of your itinerary.

Leave room for a wine tasting; no trip to Kyneton is complete without a stop at the beautiful Kyneton Ridge Estate. Settle in to sample the array of outstanding wines, admire emerging artists exhibiting in the dedicated art space and unwind in the sunshine to the sweet sounds of native birdsong.

the property exterior of Kyneton Springs Motel — Check into the old-fashioned but chic Kyneton Springs Motel.

In true Australian road trip fashion, spend the night at a retro motel. The cosy rooms at Kyneton Springs Motel are designed to embody the charms of yesteryear blended seamlessly with the modern comforts we’ve come to expect. Bonus points for the great food on-site at Cathie’s Kiosk.

Inside the Kyneton Springs Hotel — The vibrant rooms at Kyneton Springs Hotel are lush and welcoming.

Day two in Kyneton: Trentham Falls and a multi-award-winning guesthouse

Awake refreshed and either order a deluxe breakfast tray direct to your door at the Kyneton Springs Motel or pick up some takeaway treats from any of the fab cafes along Piper Street. Now you’re ready to explore the natural beauty of nearby Trentham Falls. It’s only a 20-minute drive from downtown Kyneton and it is one of Victoria’s longest single-drop waterfalls! Towering 32 metres high, the water heaves over impressive basalt rock structures.

Trentham Falls flowing over a cliff — Trentham Falls is Victoria’s highest single-drop waterfall.

Upon arrival (it’s just a short, easy walk from the car park to the viewing platform) you can straight-up expect a breathtaking experience. Watching the rapid force of natural hydropower in action is phenomenal. It is one of many waterfalls around Daylesford that are worth a visit.

If you’re feeling tired from your outdoor adventure, slow it down and check into Isabella at Kyneton , a multi-award-winning guesthouse with stacks of positive guest reviews – all attesting to how much they loved their stay.

Isabella at Kyneton,bedroom — Stay at the multi-award-winning guesthouse Isabella at Kyneton for a charming retreat.

Built in the gold rush era, this popular 1860s home has effectively retained its original charm while embracing all the comforts of modern living. The three-bedroom property sleeps up to six guests, the nightly tariff includes a deluxe breakfast, and if you book direct, you’ll receive a complimentary bottle of wine and a gourmet platter on arrival. It’s also within easy walking distance to all of Kyneton’s best restaurants and cafes.

Isabella at Kyneton room decor — You’ll find the charm of this quaint escape is in the details.

Day three in Kyneton: markets, golf and a historic Aussie pub

Greet the day with a strong cup of coffee and a nourishing breakfast at one of the quaint cafes on Piper Street. Tip: Duck Duck Goose and Larder are popular with locals and visitors alike. Or, depending on what days you are here, a morning trip to the Kyneton Farmers Market should be on your to-do list. Stock up on local produce before heading home. The same goes for hunting antique treasures down the main street, where you’re bound to find a special Kyneton keepsake to pop on your mantlepiece.

the bustling Kyneton Farmers Market during the day — Spend your mornings browsing through the stalls at Kyneton Farmers Market.

After fuelling up why not hit the local greens? Golf is a great game, no matter your age or whether you’re an expert or a beginner and here at Kyneton, all abilities are welcome to play. Fact: this 18-hole regional golf course was designed by renowned course architect Vern Morcom.

Do not leave town without swinging by the historic Kyneton Hotel for an excellent pub lunch feed and/or a cold beer in the front bar setting. This quintessential Aussie pub has a strong sense of community without pretence – much like the whole town really.

The facade of Kyneton Hotel Victoria — Head to Kyneton Hotel for the quintessential Aussie pub experience.

If you want to stay longer in Kyneton and have a group of friends or family who adore staying in grand buildings, look no further than the Kyneton Old Rectory. This is by far one of the best luxury accommodation options in Kyneton within walking distance of everything. The Old Rectory building with its mix of late Georgian and Victorian colonial architectural features is listed by the National Trust of Victoria and its beautifully manicured gardens are an attraction unto themself. Guests must book the whole place and it sleeps a maximum of six adult guests in three bedrooms.

Explore more of Daylesford and Macedon Ranges in our travel guide.

Winding down in the Yarra Valley, where ‘work from home’ becomes ‘work from wine country’.

Steam from my morning coffee curls gently into the cool valley air, mist-veiled vineyards stretch out in neat rows below me. Magpies warble from trees, and the morning’s quiet carries the soft bleating of lambs from a nearby paddock. Midweek in the Yarra Valley has its own rhythm. It’s slower, quieter, with more empty tables at cafes and cellar doors, and walking trails I can claim all to myself. It’s as if the entire region takes a deep breath once the weekend crowd leaves.

walking trails in the Yarra Valley — You’ll find walking trails are less crowded during the week. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I haven’t come here for a holiday, but to do a little work somewhere other than my home office, where I spend too much time hunched over my desk. Deadlines still loom, meetings still happen, but with flexible work evolving from ‘work from home’ to ‘work from anywhere’, I’m swapping the view of my front yard to the vineyards.

A quiet afternoon at Yarra Valley Dairy

holding a glass of wine at Yarra Valley Dairy — Wine time at Yarra Valley Dairy, where you can enjoy a toastie or bagel in the cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the Yarra Valley just over an hour from the CBD, many Melburnians could drive here in their lunch break. I arrive late in the afternoon and am delighted to discover the Yarra Valley Dairy still open. On weekends, I’ve seen queues spilling out the door, but today there’s only one other couple inside. There’s no need to rush to secure a table; instead I browse the little store, shelves stacked with chutneys, spices, artisan biscuits and gorgeous crockery that would look right at home in my kitchen. It’s hard not to buy the lot.

a cheese tasting plate atYarra Valley Dairy — A cheese tasting plate at Yarra Valley Dairy.

I order a coffee and a small cheese platter, though the dairy has a full menu, and choose a wooden table with bentwood chairs by a wide window. The space feels part farm shed, part cosy café: corrugated iron ceiling, walls painted in muted tones and rustic furniture.

Outside, cows meander toward milking sheds. If pressed for time, there’s the option of quick cheese tastings – four samples for five dollars in five minutes – but today, I’m in no rush. I sip slowly, watching a grey sky settle over the paddock. Less than an hour ago I was hunched over my home-office desk, and now my racing mind has slowed to match the valley’s pace.

Checking in for vineyard views at Balgownie Estate

Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate has views across the vines.

As my car rolls to a stop at Balgownie Estate , I’m quietly excited, and curious to see if my plan to work and play comes off. I’ve chosen a suite with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom so I can keep work away from a good night’s sleep. I could have booked a cosy cottage, complete with open fireplace, a comfy couch and a kettle for endless cups of tea, but as I am still here to get some work done, I opt for a place that takes care of everything. Dinner is served in Restaurant 1309, as is breakfast.

oysters at Restaurant 1309, Balgownie Estate — Oysters pair perfectly with a crisp white at Restaurant 1309.

On my first evening, instead of the usual walk about my neighbourhood, I stroll through the estate at an unhurried pace. There’s no need to rush – someone else is preparing my dinner after all. The walking trails offer beautiful sunsets, and it seems mobs of kangaroos enjoy the view, too. Many appear, grazing lazily on the hillside.

I wake to the call of birds and, after breakfast, with the mist still lingering over the vineyards, I watch two hot-air balloons silently drift above clouds. Perched on a hill, Balgownie Estate sits above the mist, leaving the valley below veiled white.

kangaroos in Yarra Valley — Spotting the locals on an evening walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Exploring the Yarra Valley on two wheels

the Yarra Valley vineyards — Swap your home office for a view of the vineyards. (Image: Visit Victoria/Cormac Hanrahan)

Perhaps because the Yarra Valley is relatively close to where I live, I’ve never considered exploring the area any way other than by car or on foot. And with a fear of heights, a hot-air balloon is firmly off the table. But when I discover I can hop on two wheels from the estate and cycle into Yarra Glen, I quickly realise it’s the perfect way to step away from my laptop and experience a different side of the region.

COG Bike offers pedal-assist e-bikes, and while the bike trail and paths into town aren’t particularly hilly, having an extra bit of ‘oomph’ means I can soak up the surroundings. Those lambs I heard calling early in the morning? I now find them at the paddock fence, sniffing my hands, perhaps hoping for food. Cows idle nearby, and at a fork in the bike path I turn left toward town.

It’s still morning, and the perfect time for a coffee break at The Vallie Store. If it were the afternoon, I’d likely turn right, in the direction of four wineries with cellar doors. The ride is about 15 kilometres return, but don’t let that put you off. Staying off the highway, the route takes you along quiet backroads where you catch glimpses of local life – farmers on tractors, weathered sheds, rows of vines and the kind of peaceful countryside you don’t see from the main road.

A detour to the Dandenong Ranges

legs hanging over the sides of the train, Puffing Billy Railway — The iconic Puffing Billy runs every day except Christmas Day.

The beauty of basing myself in the Yarra Valley is how close everything feels. In barely half an hour I’m in the Dandenong Ranges, swapping vineyards for towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies. The small villages of Olinda and Sassafras burst with cosy teahouses, antique stores and boutiques selling clothing and handmade body care items.

I’m drawn to RJ Hamer Arboretum – Latin for ‘a place for trees’. Having grown up among tall trees, I’ve always taken comfort in their presence, so this visit feels like a return of sorts. A stroll along the trails offers a choice: wide open views across patchwork paddocks below, or shaded paths that lead you deeper into the quiet hush of the peaceful forest.

The following day, I settle into a quiet corner on the balcony of Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis and soon hear Puffing Billy’s whistle and steady chuff as the steam train climbs towards town. Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most beloved steam trains, running through the Dandenong Ranges on a narrow-gauge track. It’s famous for its open carriages where passengers can sit with their legs hanging over the sides as the train chugs through the forest. This is the perfect spot to wave to those on the train.

After my midweek break, I find my inbox still full and my to-do list not in the least shrunken, just shifted from one task to another. But I return to my home office feeling lighter, clearer and with a smug satisfaction I’d stolen back a little time for myself. A midweek wind-down made all the difference.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Balgownie Estate offers everything from cellar door tastings to spa treatments and fine dining – all without leaving the property.

Playing there

the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley — Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through Alowyn Gardens, including a stunning wisteria tunnel, then explore the collection of contemporary artworks at TarraWarra Museum of Art . Cycle the Yarra Valley with COG Bike to visit local wineries and cellar doors.

Eating and drinking there

Olinda Tea House offers an Asian-inspired high tea. Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis has classic pub fare, while the iconic Yering Station offers wine tastings and a restaurant with seasonal dishes.

seasonal dishes at the restaurant inside Yering Station — The restaurant at Yering Station showcases the best produce of the Yarra Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A 3-day itinerary for a cosy escape in Kyneton