Daylesford

Located roughly 1.5 hours from Melbourne through countryside, this spa town is a quintessential Melbourne escape.

WHAT TO DO: Famed for its mineral springs, which have been attracting visitors since the late 19th century, the obvious first port of call is a mineral spa; head to neighboring Hepburn Springs and the celebrated

HEPBURN BATHHOUSE AND SPA (hepburnbathhouse.com) to soak in the soothing waters. The irresistibly named

WOMBAT HILL are a perfect BOTANIC GARDENS place for a picnic and there’s great shopping along the gracious main thoroughfare of VINCENT STREET.

Most people WHERE TO STAY: coming here covet staying at the legendary

LAKE HOUSE (lakehouse.com.au), a multi-award-winning retreat run by husband and wife team Allan and Alla Wolf-Tasker; Alla is also the culinary director of the equally legendary on-site restaurant.

WHERE TO EAT: THE CONVENT (conventgallery.com.au) has great food and a stunning historic setting; try

MERCATO@ DAYLESFORD (mercatorestaurant.com.au) for a fine-dining menu; CLIFFY’S (cliffysemporium.com.au) old general store setting is big on charm.