Too much choice? Let us help.
Can there be too much of a good thing? We don’t think so.
It can be hard to know where to start with so many excellent wineries on your doorstep. That’s why we’ve created a few itineraries to make your trip to the Macedon Ranges that much easier. We’re all about reducing your stress and increasing relaxation around here.
One Day Itinerary:
Laneways of Lancefield
You’ve done the laneways of Melbourne—but have you visited the laneways of Lancefield?
They’re a bit different. A bit further apart, longer and, well, dustier. But we reckon they’re also more beautiful and you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice with boutique family-owned wineries down many of the roads. You won’t find that in Melbourne.
First stop is Double Oaks Winery for lunch—and a spot of wine tasting. This boutique cool-climate winery is also a truffle plantation, and they know a thing or two about food. It’s best to check in with the winery before visiting for lunch, as they often have different events on, some of which require booking: from Smokin Sundays, which offers American-style BBQ and live music, to gourmet lunch grazing and Pie and Wine pairing.
Down a neighbouring laneway, you’ll find the brand new cellar door at Lyons Will Estate. Come sun or rain, you’ll find a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the views, as you work your way through their selection of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay and Riesling. A family-owned winery, all the vines here are cared for by hand. Oh, and if you’re still feeling peckish, you’ll find cheese and charcuterie boards on offer.
Next on the itinerary, is Curly Flat Winery. With respected winemaker Matt Harrop at the helms, you’re sure to find a favourite wine here. Make sure to try their award-winning Chardonnay as you relax in their cellar door and take in the country views.
Your final stop for the day is Parkside Winery and Farm. Not just a winery, Parkside is also a 160 acre working farm. In addition to tasting some special cool climate wines, you might also meet and greet the horses, cattle and sheep that graze in the paddocks around the cellar door making it a true country experience.
One Day Itinery - The Details
Double Oaks Winery: It’s best to double check what’s on at Double Oaks Winery as they often have different events planned. All the information you’ll need can be found on their website.
Lyons Will Estate: Lyons Will Estate cellar door is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm.
Curly Flat Wine: Summer Cellar Door Hours - 12.00 pm to 5.00 pm, Friday-Monday.
Parkside Winery and Farm: During summer the cellar door is open weekends from 12 noon and offers woodfired pizza until 3.30
Two Day Itinerary:
A weekend of luxurious relaxation
T he Macedon Ranges Wine region extends beyond the borders of the Macedon Ranges shire to encompass parts of neighbouring Hepburn—including the spa capital of Australia, Daylesford. What better way to spend a weekend than by indulging all of your senses?
A quick note: each of the wineries below offers charcuterie and cheese boards to accompany your wine tasting. Graze to your heart’s content.
Start your weekend at Wombat Forest Winery, a delightful little vineyard tucked away in the Wombat State Forest, only 15 minutes outside of Daylesford. Established 25 years ago, the owners pride themselves on using sustainable practices in their winemaking and offering genuine country hospitality in their cellar door. Sit down on the deck overlooking the forest with a glass of wine and let your stress start to ease away (if it’s chilly outside, we recommend a seat by the fire).
When you’re ready to move on, meander down the road to Red Hare Estate, where you can sample their cool-climate Italian wines, including Prosecco, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Shiraz, while taking in the countryside views.
The last winery for the day is Attwoods Winery in Glenlyon. The recently renovated cellar door includes a stunning dining room, terraced deck and an outdoor dining area surrounded by leafy gardens. The winery focuses on making minimal intervention wines, reflective of vintage that pair well with food.
From Attwoods, make the short drive into Daylesford, and find yourself at renowned spa and restaurant The Lake House. We recommend the Sweet Dreams Ritual, guaranteed to help ease a busy mind and induce relaxation. After emerging from your treatment, walk downstairs to the highly awarded restaurant. If you time it just right, you might even hear the kookaburras at dusk as you sip your pre-dinner drinks on the terrace.
The experienced staff will guide you through the 4-course a la carte menu, featuring local, seasonal food. And of course, they’ll also be on hand to recommend local wines to pair perfectly with your meal.
Start your day with a leisurely pace and make your way into the town centre for a light breakfast—you’ll want to save room for lunch. Loosen up your joints with a walk around the Lake, or meander through the shops in town.
Lunch will be at Passing Clouds Winery, located in Musk, just east of Daylesford. Your fixed 3-course meal will be prepared over their charcoal fire pit. The fixed shared menu consists of charcuterie to start, followed by slow cooked meat prepared over their charcoal fire pit with seasonal sides, and finished off with a little something sweet.
From here, you can slowly meander your way back to Melbourne through Trentham, Woodend and Gisborne. And if you fancy a few more wineries to visit, have a look at our map. You won’t be short of choice.
two Day Itinery - The Details
Wombat Forest Winery: Cellar door is open on weekends and public holidays from 11-5.
Red Hare Estate: Cellar door is open Friday-Monday 11-5.
Attwoods Winery: Cellar door is open Friday-Sunday.
The Lake House: Sweet Dreams Ritual $390/120 minutes. Dinner is available 7 nights a week, $195/pp. Spa and restaurant bookings are essential and can be made on their website.
Passing Clouds Winery: Lunch is offered Thursday-Sunday, $85/pp. Lunch bookings are essential and can be made here.
Trails and Wine
Excellent cool-climate wines aren’t the only thing that the Macedon Ranges has in abundance. We have some excellent walking trails through stunning scenery too.
This itinerary is for you if you’re looking for a bit of outdoor adventure with a relaxing reward at the end. You can take the adventure part as seriously as you like—we’ll ensure there’s a nice glass of wine waiting for you at the end whether you took a gentle stroll to Memorial Cross, climbed up Hanging Rock, or took on the 18k loop in Macedon Regional Park. It’s up to you.
Start your adventure at Hanging Rock (the park—the winery will come later). Grab a coffee at the cafe, and then wind your way up the iconic trails. You’ll find stunning views over the Macedon Ranges, and beyond, from the top. You may be feeling a bit thirsty after this short but invigorating walk. Luckily, you’ll find not one, not two, but three excellent wineries within striking distance.
First up is Hanging Rock Winery, open 7 days a week, and offering cheese boards to accompany their wine tastings. If you visit at the right time of year (October-April) you’ll also be able to stroll through their annual Art in the Vines exhibition. Hanging Rock is one of the oldest wineries in the region and well known for their excellent sparkling wines. Enjoy.
Just down the road, you’ll find your second winery of the day, Hesket Estate. First established in the 1980’s this vineyard has been in the same family since the mid-90’s, and produces some truly excellent wine. Make sure to try their Gewurztraminer and Blanc de Noir Sparkling.
Your last winery of the day is the newest of the three, but impressive by any standards. The brainchild of MONA architect Nonda Katsalidis, Mt Monument Wine’s cellar door is as impressive as you would expect. Especially when paired with the wines produced by veteran winemaker Ben Ranken. This is an excellent location for a leisurely lunch, followed by a stroll through the sculptures with a glass of wine in hand.
Day two can be as strenuous or leisurely as you make it. First up, find yourself some breakfast. Two great choices are Mr Cafe in Macedon, or Mt Macedon Trading Post. Once you’re fueled up, it’s time to head up the mountain—by car or foot. The choice is yours.
If you choose the more strenuous option, Macedon Ranges Walking Trail is an 18.8 km loop that will bring you up to Memorial Cross, past Camel’s Hump, by Sanitorium Lake and over Mt Towrong. It takes about 6 hours to complete, after which you will definitely have worked up a thirst.
If that sounds a bit too strenuous, don’t fret. You can also drive up to the parking lot near Memorial Cross and take a short stroll along a paved path to the Cross—and still partake of the excellent views out towards Melbourne. If you’re looking for something in-between, you can walk from the Cross to Camel’s Hump and back, which is about 8km return.
You have two wineries in easy reach from here: Mt Towrong and Mt Macedon. And, you’ll be happy to know, both offer delicious food alongside their wines. Mt Towrong offers hearty, Italian-style fare to complement their wines—which might sound like exactly what you need if you’ve just hiked nearly 20k. With views of Mt Macedon and Mt Towrong, all you need to do is relax and enjoy. You’ve earned it.
Mt Macedon also offers a full menu featuring seasonal produce in their restaurant, or woodfired pizzas and nibbles in the Cellar Door. Located on the western slopes of Mt Macedon, with impressive views over Black Forest, this winery is one of the highest altitude in the country at 680m.
Trails & WIne Itinery - The Details
Hanging Rock Winery: Cellar Door is open 7 days a week from 10am - 5pm.
Hesket Estate: Find out all you need to know on their website.
Mt Monument: Cellar Door is open Friday-Sunday from 11am - 4pm
Mt Towrong: Cellar Door open Sat/Sun from 10am - 5pm
Mt Macedon Winery: Cellar Door open Thursday - Sunday 11:30 - 4:30
