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Fancy a few relaxing days away with the girls, with no kids, no bloke and no work on your mind? Say hello to Daylesford, Victoria. It's a Mecca of indulgence: gorgeous beauty spas, delicious wineries and fabulous cafes and restaurants. The only thing is, ladies, expect a few added pounds on your return. Indulging doesn't come with a diet option.
We flew Qantas to Melbourne airport and headed by coach to Daylesford - a small, quiet, blissful town, 80 minutes from downtown Melbourne and boasting the largest concentration of natural spring spas in Australia.
Daylesford is where the liberal hippies settled in the 70s; before them, the Swiss-Italians in the 1800s and others caught in gold rush fever. It's a mix of laidback Waiheke Island and quaint Parnell village. Expect to find local artisans producing the finest products from chocolate and cheese, to lavender, organic fruit, veges and meat.
The village is bursting with bookshops, antique stores, cafes and art galleries. But it's the natural mineral springs that have been drawing the health-conscious for generations. Daylesford is beauty central with luxurious day spas dotted throughout the town.
None are as exclusive as The Lake House - lucky for us, our destination. Situated on the shore of Lake Daylesford, the small luxury hotel boasts an award-winning restaurant and a luxurious spa salon with hot mineral tubs in private tree-houses and European spa treatments.
The guest house suites overlook the tranquil lake. Well, tranquil, save for the noisy gaggle of geese who squawk their 'feed-me' demands every dusk. The hotel's kindly staff (and some of the guests) hand-fed the geese - we'd jokingly nick-named 'Foie Gras 1, 2 and 3' - fillet steak. It's no wonder, then, they squawk with such enthusiasm.
The Lake House has been the hotel du jour for many a celebrity, from Nicolas Cage, Helena Bonham Carter and Cate Blanchet. Its first-class facilities, idyllic surroundings and low-key approach make it an obvious choice for celebs to escape to for a quiet spot of R&R. So too, Melbournites wanting a weekend away of sheer bliss.
Daylesford has a little something for everyone. For the sporting and health conscious there's golf, tennis, horse-riding and long walking tracks that link up to the Great Dividing Trail. 'Walking schmalking' is my usual mantra, but in this idyllic countryside, even lazy city girls like me feel compelled to venture outside to become one with nature.
We chose Both Feet Tours for a leisurely walk on one of the dry digging tracks that afford a glimpse into the old gold mining history of the region. We even spotted a few 'roos nestled in the bush.
Thankfully there's no shortage of cafes at which to retire and refuel following any exercise - strenuous or not. Daylesford is foodie heaven.
My pick for a delicious brunch and good strong coffee is Frangos & Frangos. It's very Ponsonby Rd with a shabby chic interior you'd expect to find on the Left Bank in Paris. And the best bit, it lacks the twee qualities many of the neighbouring cafes possess that combine food and gift shop.
Wine lovers need to head to the acclaimed wine region in the Macedon Ranges, just outside Daylesford. It's a little bit of southern Europe with a dry, rocky landscape and mature trees that drop their golden leaves in the autumn. We picked Hanging Rock Winery, nestled just north of the famous hanging rock landmark, and settled in for an afternoon of wine tastings.
Take it from me because, well, I sampled them all, the vineyard's sparkling Macedon is a must-have choice. It's unashamedly modelled on Krug and Bollinger Champagnes.
For those not interested in eating or drinking (who? why?), there's Daylesford's extra curricular activities - artisan products. And there's plenty. Lavendula Lavender Farm produces premium home-grown lavender products with a retail store housed in the farm's quaint original stone buildings created in the 1850s by the Italian-speaking Swiss who settled the area. The Convent Art Gallery (yes, it was once a nunnery) is home to various exhibitions of traditional and modern art. For antiques and collectibles there's a myriad of stores to peruse. And for a wee slice of yummy Europe you can't go past Sweet Decadence at Locantro for rich handmade chocolates. They're absolutely divine and not remotely fat free.
But as Daylesford is home to the largest number of natural mineral spas in Aussie, it's only fair to indulge in the many beauty treatments up for offer. There are spa salons nestled throughout the local township and neighbouring Hepburn. Take your pick from massage to facials to holistic therapies. We chose Salus Spa at the Lake House, but for pure indulgence I suggest sampling a treatment from as many spas as you can.
To be honest, as a self-acclaimed slick city girl, I thought quiet Daylesford would not be my glass of fizz. Of course, that was before I got there. I fell in love with the quaint village atmosphere and bohemian charm. It was a chance to leave my stress and guilt at the door and to indulge and pamper myself in all the blissful whims that Daylesford offers. I returned home to Auckland calm, relaxed, and needless to say, a few pounds heavier. But isn't that what indulging is all about?
- Detours, HoS
