"Golden Victoria" Heritage Experience
Travel through the Goldfields region of Victoria, Australia, the site of one of the worlds largest gold rushes. The frenetic goldrush has left a lasting and vivid legacy; you can see the evidence in almost every Goldfields town and city.
Starting from Ballarat, you'll travel to Daylesford, Castlemaine, Maldon and finish in Bendigo.
Day 1 – Ballarat
Ballarat is filled with countless reminders of the days when it seemed half the world had set sail for the Victorian Goldfields, for Ballarat sat astride the world’s largest deposit of alluvial gold.
Today Ballarat has a contemporary side to complement its heritage. You’ll find stylish café’s in Sturt Street, and restaurants by picturesque Lake Wendouree, the city’s shimmering heart. On tour in Ballarat you will take a walk along Lydiard Street, one of the country finest examples of a Victorian Streetscape. See the Eureka flag in the Ballarat Art Gallery, Victoria’s oldest regional public art gallery. Stroll through the botanical gardens on the shore of Lake Wendouree, Visit Sovereign Hill, and at night experience the spectacular ‘’Blood on the Southern Cross’’ sound and light show.
Overnight at Craigs Royal Hotel, Meals Lunch / Dinner / Breakfast
Day 2 – Daylesford / Castlemaine / Maldon
Daylesford/Hepburn Springs – The jewel in the crown of the region with 72 health giving springs and over 30 spas, wellness retreats and healing centres. Stroll down Vincent Street and you’ll encounter quirky clothing shops decadent eateries and creamy lattes before visiting the Convent Gallery filled with beautiful art, jewellery and other treasures.
Castlemaine – Once one of the world’s richest alluvial goldfields, Castlemaine’s wealth now lies in its love affair with arts, its charming atmosphere and indisputable links with history. Whilst in Castlemaine you’ll visit the Castlemaine Diggings Heritage National Park, where you can still see sites and relics that recall life on the diggings, and Buda Historic Home and Garden. Buda was the home of silversmith Ernest Leviny and his family, and is surrounded by one Australia’s most complete gardens from the 19th century.
Maldon – Drive into Maldon from Castlemaine, and the scene is beautifully set for this quaint old gold mining town, tiny timber cottages, many of them restored, line the route into the first town to be declared’ notable’ by the National Trust of Australia. Whilst in Maldon we will drive up to the top of Mt Tarrangower for stunning views of central Victoria. Travel on the Goldfields Railway depending on the timetable.
Overnight Empyre Boutique Hotel / Hotel Shamrock - Meals Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
Day 3 – Bendigo
Bendigo in the 1880’s was deemed the richest city in the world. Priceless gold and the passage of time have combined to lend an air of elegance to Bendigo, their legacies are evident everywhere, in the city’s tree lined Pall Mall, in its magnificent art gallery and in the gothic majesty of the sandstone cathedral. Whilst touring Bendigo, you’ll visit the Central Deborah Goldmine and descend 60 metres underground to see how the gold was mined, see the worlds longest Imperial Dragon at the Golden Dragon Chinese Museum and visit Australia’s oldest pottery at Bendigo Pottery, and ride on an historic tram through the streets of Bendigo Meals Lunch
Arrive in Melbourne by fast train late afternoon - Meals Breakfast / Lunch.
Prices and Departures
- Twin Share: $3,347
- Single: $2,914
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions here prior to booking
