Around And About Mt Macedon Ranges & Daylesford

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A small-group day from Melbourne in a 12-seat minibus, taking in the lookout and memorial cross on Mt Macedon, Hanging Rock, the Convent Gallery and village of Daylesford, a lavender farm and Lake Daylesford. Entry to Hanging Rock, the gallery and the farm is included, and you are back in the city by about 5pm.

Days

Full day, about 7:30am to 5pm

Age

All ages

Group size

Max 11

Start / finish

Melbourne / Mt Macedon / Hanging Rock / Daylesford / Melbourne
Melbourne city centre, about 5pm

Return

Melbourne city centre, about 5pm

Transport

12-seat minibus with hotel pick-up

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Around And About Mt Macedon Ranges & Daylesford

View map

Included experiences

Mt Macedon — lookout views and the memorial cross
Hanging Rock — view it from the base or climb to the top
Daylesford — Convent Gallery and free time in the village
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm — lavender farm and grounds, on open days
Lake Daylesford — a stroll by the water

Around And About Mt Macedon Ranges & Daylesford

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: MOUNT MACEDON

The minibus leaves the city at 7:30am, ahead of the traffic and the bigger coaches, and heads north-west towards the Macedon Ranges. Your first stop is Mount Macedon, an extinct volcano a little over 1,000 metres high, whose cool slopes have been dotted with the gardens of grand country houses since the 1870s. From the lookout the plains stretch away towards Melbourne. Near the summit stands the Memorial Cross, a 21-metre cross unveiled in 1935 to honour those who died in the First World War.

LATE MORNING: HANGING ROCK

Next is Hanging Rock, a cluster of volcanic rock that pushed up through the plain about six million years ago and weathered into pinnacles and balancing boulders. It is the setting of Joan Lindsay's 1967 novel Picnic at Hanging Rock, in which schoolgirls vanish on a Valentine's Day picnic in 1900, later Peter Weir's 1975 film. Entry is included. If you have the energy you can climb the track to the summit, threading between the rocks, or stay at the base and take it in from below.

MIDDAY: DAYLESFORD AND THE CONVENT GALLERY

In Daylesford you start at the Convent Gallery, with entry included. The building on Wombat Hill was a gold commissioner's house before it became a convent and a girls' school, and it is now a gallery over several floors and gardens. Then you have free time in the village, the heart of Victoria's spa country, where gold miners in the 1850s found mineral springs bubbling up through the hills. Buy lunch wherever takes your fancy among the cafés, bakeries and shops.

AFTERNOON: LAVENDER AND THE LAKE

On the days it's open, the tour calls at Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm at Shepherds Flat, with free entry. Its stone farmhouse was built by Swiss-Italian settlers in the 1800s, and the lavender fields are at their best in summer. A last stop at Lake Daylesford lets you stretch your legs on the path by the water, past the hand pumps of the Central Springs, where you can taste the mineral water straight from the ground. Then the minibus heads straight back to Melbourne, arriving in the city at about 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels, including Flinders Street Station (Elizabeth Street) at 7:05am, and a few places in St Kilda. If your hotel is not on the list you are given the nearest pick-up point.
Departure time: Pick-ups from about 6:25am to 7:20am depending on where you stay; the tour leaves the city at 7:30am.
Finishes: Melbourne city centre at about 5pm. There are no drop-offs in St Kilda, Southbank or the suburbs; the free city tram can be the quickest way back.
Fitness: Bring comfortable walking shoes. Climbing to the top of Hanging Rock is optional.
Suits: All ages. Every passenger, children included, needs their own seat; baby seats are available on request.
Please note: Be waiting outside five minutes before your pick-up time; missing the pick-up means losing the fare. Lavandula opens only on selected days, so that stop depends on the farm being open. You can eat and drink on the bus, but not alcohol.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
A rain jacket and warm layers
Your own water bottle
Camera with a spare battery and memory card
Phone charger and cable

What is included

Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels
Small-group touring in a 12-seat minibus
Entry to Hanging Rock, the Convent Gallery and Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm
Chilled water on board (bring your own bottle)

Not included

Lunch and other food and drink in Daylesford

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

“Beautiful Fantastic Trip to Daylesford and Macedon!”

A lovely trip to Daylesford and Macedon with Walter: the lavender farm, Daylesford's villages and shops, the Sunday market and a garden at Mt Macedon. The market and garden were added when the Memorial Cross and the convent were closed for holiday maintenance. Walter was kind, reliable and punctual.

Candy S Verified· Travelled 1st December 2025

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(5/5)

“Day trip to Mt Macedon, Hanging Rock, Daylesford and…”

A full day to Mt Macedon, Hanging Rock, the beautiful lavender farm and Daylesford with its lake.

Jo M Verified· Travelled 1st June 2025

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(5/5)

“Magnificent trip”

Fantastic views from Mt Macedon, an amazing and slightly eerie picnic at Hanging Rock, lovely Daylesford and a beautiful lavender farm. Thanks Walter for your knowledge and the little extras for the four of us.

Fay G Verified· Travelled 1st March 2024

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