Outdoor Adventures near Castlemaine

This is a zippy post on two places we think EVERY visitor to the goldfields should see…

Diggings National Park

1. Diggings National Heritage Park

“The Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, stretching from north of Chewton, south through the Fryerstown and Vaughan Springs areas, encompasses an area of approximately 7,500 ha. Most of the area is covered with regrowth Box-Ironbark forest which has been harvested to supply fuel and timber for mines and other local industry.”

What isn’t mentioned in the above is the river, springs, and opportunity to both hike & camp in the park. At the river, you can go gold fossicking or trout fishing too. The official site for the park has additional info re logistics of getting there, camping, etc: http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=90

Great Dividing Trail

2. Great Dividing Trail

“The Great Dividing Trail, a community-planned 280km public walking trail following the top of the Great Dividing Range from Bacchus Marsh to Blackwood, Daylesford, Castlemaine, Bendigo, Creswick, Ballarat and Buninyong, allows recreational walkers and tourists the time to savour central Victoria’s unique combination of gold rush heritage and its natural beauty.”

So, technically this isn’t a “place” but a way to get to different destinations. Hiking on this trail gives a great perspective into the flora and fauna of the area and it’s very well-maintained and not particularly challenging. There are various thematic tracks that compose the trail and depending on which track you choose, you can pass by lakes, venture through forests or summit hills. Rains have caused a bit of damage to a few parts of the trail recently so make sure you visit the official site before you venture off: http://gdt.org.au/

Heritage Buildings in Australia

If you follow our twitter (@campbellstlodge), you know we’re big fans of heritage buildings and historical sites. Interestingly, one of the best ways to protect cultural heritage is through the re-purposing of historic buildings. For example, the Campbell St Lodge was originally constructed (in 1886) to serve as a private Grammar School but now it’s functioning as a fully-fledged hotel. If the building’s purpose hadn’t been rethought, its fate would be shaky at best. Many historical buildings slowly deteriorate and are finally demolished when they’re not given a second-chance in a new, modern role.

In Australia you can see several great examples of these repurposed grand dames. A recent trip to Sydney and Newcastle was very inspiring. Among other places, we were particularly impressed by the Taj hotel situated on the heritage listed wharf in Moolloomooloo and the forthcoming Newcastle maritime museum, which is going into a heritage cargo shed. In these buildings, a visitor gains a sense of the economic and cultural history of the area without feeling like they’re stepping into a time capsule. When the building has a daily flow of traffic and new purpose, it feels as is history has been both protected and contemporized for a new generation.

If this topic interests you, we highly recommend checking out the National Trust of WA’s twitter: @NationalTrustWA
They regularly cover news about heritage buildings and sites all over the world. Of course, we’ll also keep posting on heritage subjects on twitter: @campbellstlodge

Things we like in Castlemaine

Castlemaine has a lot of history (goldmining) and interesting flora and fauna (kangaroos! botanical gardens!).  If you’re interested in chowing down, drinking some vino or visiting special attractions, here’s what we at Campbell St Lodge like:

Restaurant: The Good Table

Wineries: Bress, Blackjack, Harcourt Valley

Excursion: Victoria Goldfields Railway*

*the Buda Historic Home is very beautiful too!

Of course, you can always take it easy at the hotel and simply stroll around the town (the Theatre Royal is <500 metres from us).  And, the State Festival is starting soon (April 1) so it’s not necessary to go far to be entertained or find relaxation. 

If you really enjoyed a restaurant or activity while you were in Castlemaine, please let us know.  We like to hear our guest’s preferences so we can recommend them to other parties in the future.

Castlemaine’s Arts Festival

Looking for an excuse to visit the Goldfields ?

From April 1 – 10th, there’s a ten day multi-arts celebration in Castlemaine.  Audiences in excess of 50,000 are expected and there will be productions and exhibitions relating to the visual arts, dance, music, circus, theatre, hot-rod culture, literature….

Book a room at Campbell St Lodge and you’ll be right at the heart of the action. 

Visit our website for details on accomodations: www.campbellstlodge.com.au

For more info on the festival: www.castlemainefestival.com.au