THINGS to do

OUTDOORS Follow the DaylesfordMacedon Flower Farm Trail and visit all of the lovely little working flower farms in the area. Also highly recommended is the Domino Rail Trail, an easy 6-kilometre (each way) track that follows a disused stretch of railway between Trentham and Lyonville. The starting point is the old Trentham station (now the Tourist Infomation Centre) and cuts through the Wombat State Forest on the way to Lyonville. Trentham Falls, one of the longest single-drop waterfalls in Victoria, is just 2.5 kilometres away. Or you could pack a picnic for Hanging Rock, about 30 minutes’ drive from Acre of Roses.

WINING AND DINING The DaylesfordMacedon region is a magnet for some of Australia’s best chefs including Alla Wolf-Tasker and Annie Smithers. When in Trentham, lunch at du Fermier (anniesmithers.com.au) is a must. Also highly recommended are The Plough at Trentham (theplough.com.au) and Atelier Chocolat (atelierchocolat.com.au) if you fancy something sweet. There are a number of excellent wineries to visit in the region. For a truly memorable visit, indulge in a Train, Wine & Dine package from Passing Clouds (passingclouds.com.au). Offered on Sundays only, a steam train takes you directly from Daylesford Markets to the winery, where you will enjoy a four-course meal with matched wines. Hanging Rock Winery (hangingrock. com.au) is as well known for its prime beef as its award-winning wines.

SPECIAL EVENTS The Macedon Ranges villages of Lancefield, Woodend, Kyneton and Malmsbury all host monthly farmers’ markets, supplemented by the fortnightly Farmers’ Market Online (mrsg.org.au). The Gathering of the Goddesses festival (thegatheringofthegoddesses.com.au) is held annually in March.

For more information about Acre of Roses or to book your stay at the property, go to acreofroses.com.au.