Wellbeing, fine food and history go hand in hand in Kyneton, a gold rush village that offers the best of country living with the sophistication of the city. Originally a place for miners to get some rest on their journey up to the goldfields, Kyneton now boasts renowned restaurants and wineries, quaint cafes, day spas, boutiques and cultural festivals.

While away a day or two on Piper Street, a modern-day foodie paradise. Enjoy everything from Italian-style farm-to-table experiences to acclaimed Middle Eastern and French cuisine. And there’s the local gastro pub too for those who prefer country-style grub alongside craft beers and local wines. Take the flavours home by stocking up on local olive oils, smallgoods and farm produce, all available from the boutique providores.

The Kyneton, Daylesford, Hepburn Springs region is home to the largest concentration of natural mineral springs in Australia. Fill your flask from the pump at the Kyneton Mineral Springs and rest and rejuvenate at Ellenis or the Maiaveda Holistic Day Spa.

Explore the village’s wide array of antique and vintage shops and galleries, as well as its National Trust recognised bluestone museum. Wander through the 19th century granite streets and delve deeper into the local lore at the Kyneton Museum.

Kyneton’s scenic surrounds reveal treasures and historic reminders of the region’s past. Pedal down leafy country lanes on the Three Towns Scenic Route, enjoy bushwalking in Black Hill Reserve, or explore the historic botanic gardens, established in the late 1860s.

Some of the town’s stunning private gardens are periodically open to the public through the Open Gardens Scheme, while the banks of the Campaspe River is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch.

A packed events calendar means that there is always plenty going on, from the Farmers’ Market and NMIT Kyneton Cup to the Kyneton Music Festival, the Taste of Kyneton festival, the Kyneton Antique Fair, and the Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival.

Kyneton is around an hour from Melbourne along the Calder Highway.