If you’re spending your summer escape with us, here are just a few of our favourite summer things to do.

Swimming

Swimming and summer go hand in hand. That's why we're so lucky to have Castlemaine's main outdoor pool right at our entrance. The 50-metre pool is open from Saturday December 7 to early March and is perfect for a cooling swim after a day exploring the town and surrounding region. There are also outdoor swimming pools at nearby Chewton, Newstead and Harcourt, so you can enjoy a dip when you're out and about. And you can prove you're a local at heart by heading out to “The Res” on Golden Point Road, just past Chewton, for a swim. A large reservoir surrounded by beautiful bush, it's a very popular place on a warm day!

The Mill

This huge, extraordinary foodie and artisan precinct situated in a re-purposed 1870s woollen mill is just across the road from BIG4 Castlemaine. The Mill is your go-to for amazing meals, coffees, wines, beers and gourmet treats with vintage shopping, arts, crafts, music and special events thrown in for good measure. Everything you want for holiday feasting is right here: fruit and veg, handcrafted sausages, smoked salmon, hams, and terrines, organic fresh cheese and dairy products, coffee, artisan breads, chocolates and ice cream. There is so much on offer - go have a look.

Gardens

The magnificent and historic 23-hectare Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and adjoining Bushland Reserve is right next door to us. Enjoy walking and cycling on level paths, admire the lake, the birdlife and the garden beds with their summer roses, and let the kids loose in an award-winning play space. 
Cafes. There's nothing nicer on a warm summer's day than sitting back in a funky cafe and letting someone else do the work. You'll be spoilt for choice in Castlemaine and surrounding towns - from brekkie classics to delicious lunch dishes featuring local produce, you'll quickly find a few favourites.  Refer to our food and wine guide on our website.

Theatre Royal

This legend in the heart of Castlemaine was built in 1855 and is the longest continuously running theatre on mainland Australia. Catch a latest release, enjoy the kids' summer blockbuster with the family, or sit back with a delicious pizza and a glass of first-rate local wine! The gorgeous beer garden is a particularly popular summer weekend destination.

Castlemaine Market Building

Drop into this historic building on Mostyn Street in the centre of town and pick up a wealth of information at the Visitor Centre about local attractions and events. You’ll also find the award-winning Boorp Boorp Boondyll exhibition – a must see for an understanding of and welcome to Djaara Country – and there’s always an exhibition of works by local artists.

Mt Alexander Regional Park

Located in North Harcourt, just 10 minutes’ drive away, this 1400-hectare park has stunning lookouts including the popular Dogs Rocks (fantastic rock-climbing!), walking tracks, and a picnic area. It's a great place to spot wildlife including Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies and a range of birdlife. Google Mt Alexander Regional Park for useful maps and more information.

Maldon

Head to this historic town just 15 minutes from Castlemaine and continue the outdoor, fresh-air adventures with the two-kilometre Anzac Hill walk and the Mt Tarrengower lookout, both delivering splendid scenery and views.  Be sure to explore Maldon as well - there are heritage streetscapes and great cafes and pubs for a lunch. Make time to stop in at the famous Maldon Lolly Shop on High Street, open seven days from 10 am.  Every old-fashioned sweet treat is on offer: fudge, liquorice, sherbets, boiled lollies, jellies and so much more. (Well, it is holidays after all!)

Jarrahlingha Dingo Conservation and Wildlife Education Centre

This very special not-for-profit sanctuary in the Chewton bushlands, a 10 minute or so drive from BIG4 Castlemaine, is home to many species and varieties of Australian native animals.  A Daily Encounters programme gives visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with koalas, wombats, reptiles and dingo pups – a little holiday magic for all ages. The centre is open every day except Wednesdays. Check the website for opening times and the daily activities.

Buda Historic Home and Garden.

Built in the late 1850’s this Museums Australia accredited goldfields villa houses the furnishings, décor and personal belongings of the creative Leviny family, who resided here for almost 120 years. There is also three hectares of heritage gardens to explore along with the gorgeous Buda Giftshop.  Make it extra special and order a Buda picnic hamper to enjoy at one of the many seating areas. Open daily 12 noon to 4 pm. 
Forest Creek Historic Gold Diggings, Chewton. This is an ideal starting point for exploring the fascinating history of Castlemaine's vast Central Goldfields.  A 400-metre track circles around an historic alluvial goldfield and detailed signboards along the way provide fascinating facts and information about the ancient Forest Creek river bed, the gold rush of the 1850's and 1860's, and the remnants and relics of the structures and equipment left behind. Further information is available on the Parks Victoria website (look for castlemaine-diggings-national-heritage-park).

Ice Cream

For a cooling and super-delicious afternoon treat, head to Ice-cream Republic at the Mill Complex, just across the road from us. Open Thursday to Sunday afternoons and every day of the school holidays, it sells homemade ice-cream and gelati from a shop window. Enjoy!

Castlemaine Maldon Trail

This 17.7-kilometre walking and cycling track runs alongside the historic Victorian Goldfields Railway and across scenic farm and bush lands and historic sites.  The vehicle-free walking and cycling shared trail is family friendly and easy to navigate with signage and trail markers providing information on distance, direction and location. There are plenty of resting places along the way and you can arrange to return to Castlemaine on the steam train.

Victorian Goldfields Railway

If you don't want to walk or cycle to Maldon alongside the Victorian Goldfields Railway tracks, hop on the train! A journey on the beautiful and historic old steam train makes a very special family outing. (And remember, BIG4 Perks members enjoy discounted tickets).  Visit the Victorian Goldfields Railway website for summer timetables.

Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM)

This gallery and museum on Lyttleton Street in the heart of Castlemaine is well worth a visit for an hour or two to view both the current contemporary exhibition and the range of art and artefacts reflecting the history and social life of Castlemaine and the surrounding region. Great information and learning for the kids! Open Thursday to Sunday.

Further Afield

Castlemaine is ideally placed as your base to explore everything else Central Victoria offers. Head 30 minutes up the highway to visit Bendigo and enjoy a day taking in the city’s goldrush architecture, the Golden Dragon Museum, Central Deborah Gold Mine and Bendigo Pottery – all great family fun! Or head to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs for a relaxing mineral bath and spa treatment and a lazy late lunch. Kyneton and its famous Piper Street shopping and eating strip is also an easy drive away.

There's a lot more to see and do - wineries to visit, Christmas and farmers’ markets to shop at, boutiques to browse and small towns to explore. Come and chill out with us in Castlemaine this summer and see it all for yourself!  We're looking forward to welcoming you soon.