Bendigo is a vibrant contemporary regional centre, boasting beautiful streets created from one of the world’s greatest gold rushes. Every visit will reveal new surprises and experiences.
Castlemaine boasts a remarkable community of artists, writers, actors and designers, who offer a host of galleries, theatres, festivals, bookshops and boutiques. It’s a theme that runs through nearby Maldon, Newstead and Harcourt.
Rich in history and opportunity... today’s visitors come to Maryborough and the surrounding villages for many reasons. Many come to wander through the lovely box-ironbark forests with their wildflowers, birds and superb display of Wattle in the spring. Others come to research family history and discover a connection to the Victorian gold rush, or to visit nearby wineries or explore markets, galleries and museums.
Take a deep breath… and travel along the meandering roads of the Loddon Valley. They start at untouched historic villages, weave their way up to spectacular views on granite strewn hilltops, through ancient forests, and then alongside wide flowing rivers and vast wetlands.
One of Australia's oldest and largest regional galleries presenting innovative exhibitions alongside a dynamic and varied suite of public programs and events. Our collection is extensive, with an emphasis on 19th century European art and Australian art from the 1800's, alongside a strong collection of contemporary Australian art.
Bendigo Venues and Events nurtures, develops, presents and celebrates performing arts and culture for Bendigo and central Victorian communities.
Proin et lectus consequat, auctor lectus eget, faucibus nisi. Nam ultricies interdum neque nec faucibus. Sed tincidunt porta ante, ut sagittis neque dignissim et.
Visit RegionA bit of retail therapy during this time of self-isolation is a great way to keep your spirits up whilst continuing to support local businesses during the COVID-19 situation. There are many unique goods that are made with love by passionate and talented locals. Even if you don't need anything, just make a small purchase to support local and feel good.
Good undies are important. The makers of these Wonderpants couldn’t find locally made, ethical underwear that fitted well, looked good, and were truly comfortable. So, they created their own. In their words 'when we are comfortable in our skin (and our second skin), we can move through our days feeling confident - feeling free''. They have products for everyone!
Online shop reopens on Friday 21st August and can be found here.
Here you'll find some one-off quirky vintage items and also practical home eco-friendly products. Have a squiz at the collection, you never know what you might find!
For more information visit their website
Tribe is home to beautiful and useful items created by over 50 local and international artisans. All of their creations are developed sustainably, ethically and mindfully, keeping traditional craftsmanship alive with love and care.
To purchase something special visit their website here.
You'll have plenty of time for pampering over the coming weeks so why not indulge in bath products that are created locally using the best ingredients nature can offer. Christiana - the founder/creator, uses ingredients like Australian essential oils & absolutes with organic botanicals and lovely little extra's like Australian organic oats, coconut cream powder, organic fairtrade cocoa butter and Australian clay's as well as locally grown flowers, berries & herbs.
Now also stocking botanical perfumes and pure essential oils.
Free shipping on all orders. Check out the website here
Have you tried these amazing chocolates yet? All chocolates are carefully hand made using the best sourced ingredients, their packaging is 95% compostable and all chocolate is certified vegan. Flavours include almond brittle, Davidson Plum Rocky Road and good ol' scorched almonds. Delicious! Chocolate is an essential bunker down item!
Click here to order for pick up or home delivery
Keep the kids entertained with a unique range of toys and gifts sourced from over twenty different countries. This is a toy collection like no other, each item is carefully chosen with the idea that it will be a long-lasting keepsake for children to treasure. There's also clothing, home decor and jewellery.
If you need anything special for your baby or child, check out their website
If you're working from home at the moment you'll be surrounded by all the odd jobs that you've been putting off. Like that toilet paper holder that needs fixing, that hinge, light switch or door that could do with replacement or repair. Good thing is The Restorers Barn have got everything you need and everything can be bought on line and delivered. No excuses now.
Peruse their impressive collection of fixtures and fittings here and use this time at home to get jobs done.
Sometimes nothing can be more comforting than being wrapped up in soft, warm wool. Not just any wool will do though, it's gotta be the most ethically sourced good for you and the planet - merino wool. Woollykins specialises in just this. You'll find quality and beautifully crafted wool wear for the whole family from newborns to grown ups.
Lots of colours and designs to suit your individual style - go on - wrap yourself up in some wool here.
If we must be indoors with home-cooked meals, then we might as well set the table nicely and create a warm and cosy atmosphere. Taradale Kitchen Co. stock kitchen linens such as tea towels, aprons and napkins as well as wholesome jams and preserves - all lovely items to make your kitchen and dining experience more pleasant.
Check out their website here.
Get your wardrobe essentials for winter. They have a great range of pants, textured jackets, beautiful dresses and tops as well as jewellery and accessories.
Visit their online shop here.
Tansley & Co have a growing reputation within the region for their affordable selection of eclectic pre-1950s furniture and vintage household goods. Alongside antique furniture, art, china, crystal and glassware you’ll find a beautiful range of handcrafted candles and Australian made cards and gift tags. They're slowly moving their gorgeous items into the online shopping space but for now you can get some of their individual items through their instagram page.
These stunning Australian postcards would make a great keepsake!
Check out their instagram page for details.
You need to experience the intense gusto of Shedshaker's small batch, hand-crafted beers made in Castlemaine! They've pioneered a range of modern aroma beers that delight you with their complexity of flavours and refreshing finish. The good things is you can now buy all their beers online and they'll even deliver them right to the door! Choose from the Celtic Red Ale, Espresso Black Lager, Frailty Pale Ale, Hempathy Hemp Ale, Knucklehead Rye I.P.A and Pils Lager or mix them up and get a mixed six pack or slab.
More info on their website here.
We all miss the grand experience of sitting in the elegant space at Das Kaffeehaus for our coffee, however until they reopen it is still possible to stock up on their amazing coffee to brew at home. If you don't know much about their coffee, I'd highly recommend you take a look at they website. They have some incredible creations including 'Sipping Girl' - a rich and buttery vanilla body with a long cocoa finish or the Tiger Mountain single origin which is using beans ethically sourced from India, with $1 from every bag purchased donated to support the conservation and research of India's tigers.
We are so lucky to have these master coffee roasters right on our doorstep. Stock up and support them during this time. Check out their website here.
Idle Made accessories are created simply and slowly using a thoughtful collection of essential tools and the best quality, most sustainable materials available. Their products are gorgeous, colourful and unique and best of all - made to last using 'slow fashion' materials.
Check out their range here
Start your day right with a healthy bowl of muesli that has been made with love and a sustainable ethos. Their muesli is fresh, seasonal and packed full of all the good stuff - nuts, seeds and fruit. They have a gluten free or standard option and they provide in bulk, eliminating any packaging.
Give it a try and support local! Visit their website here
A much loved favourite in the Main Street of Maldon. With their shopfront now temporarily closed due to COVID-19, good news is you can still order their delicious handmade gelato, ice-cream and fudge online. They source all natural ingredients and they make ice-creams that are gluten free, some are dairy free and some are even suitable for diabetics.
More details visit their website here or call 5474 2391
Fancy getting a little creative and making your own quilt? The Village Patch has an extensive range of over 3000 gorgeous fabrics in stock (including this beautiful aboriginal kookaburra), threads (including, Bottom Line, Rasant and more), kits, gifts, books, quilting accessories and other hand made goods. It's paradise for quilters and for wanna-be quilters. All their stock available online.
Visit their website here.
These guys are red wine specialists! An awful amount of love and care goes into their 'terroir' - that is the balancing of environmental, farming and crop practices that are needed to create the perfect drop. it's truly inspiring to see the nurturing that goes on behind the scenes to create their wines, it makes you appreciate every sip so much more.
Have a chat to them, find out about their wine making process and then the best bit - pour yourself a glass and let those intense flavours hit your palate.
Visit their website to start your wine journey.
Freshly baked handmade biscuits from Michel's Fine Biscuit Co. are now available online. So many yummy varieties, with sweet and savoury options! Since 2002 they've been baking in Castlemaine. A much loved Australian owned and operated small business based in Central Victoria.
Shop here for deliciousness.
Beautiful contemporary objects made by over 70 Australian artists. They are now selling a selection of items online including these pop up pots and seeds - what an awesome gift to give someone right now! Check out their instagram page for lots more inspiring gift ideas here.
While Buda Historic Home and Garden are temporarily closed to the public, you can now support them by checking out their online store here.
You can purchase or renew a membership, buy a gift card or browse their exclusive Buda Merchandise and a select range of local art and handcrafted items. Their themes are the Traditional, Culinary and Botanical Arts in line with their annual Traditional Arts Fair and they have wonderful locally crafted items on offer from hand embroidered items to hand forged garden ware.
Local delivery is on offer in the 3450 postcode, or they will send your parcel out to you. You can also pick up from the nursery by appointment or visit to buy plants.
Maldon Getaways offers country stays in gorgeous cottages and luxury houses in Maldon. They also have great relationships with the local community of artisan makers and food producers and so have created these wonderful hampers to support them and celebrate all the great products that Maldon and surrounds is famous for.
The hamper includes products from the following suppliers:
Teaporium small batch organic tea
Maldon Lolly Shop lollies
Warral Maldon honey
Dear Olive Handmade Soaps and Balms
Winter Creek Flowers
Olive Branch Preserves
The Wool Stash Maldon
Maldon Getaways Lobby Giftshop can arrange delivery within goldfields or metropolitan Melbourne.
Check out their website here for details.
Treat yourself to a home delivery of Maldon Lolly Shop lollies!
For 30 years, The Maldon lolly Shop has delighted visitors and locals alike with an extensive range of good old fashioned and traditional sweets. A visit to this charming little shop is a true journey back to childhood. If you're longing for your favourite sweets, check out our online selection, with new items added regularly.
Find our online store here
The Maldon Lolly Shop
Award winning makers of traditional and contemporary puddings all year round, Pud for all Seasons are a local icon!
A renowned supplier of the tastiest gourmet puddings, dessert sauces, and chocolate delicacies for all occasions in Australia. Based in Castlemaine, Pud For All Seasons delivers old favourites and new classics to your door - from mouthwatering traditional Christmas puddings to date and butterscotch, double choc orange, cranberry and white chocolate, and more!
Pud For All Seasons has a wide range of gluten-free and dairy free puddings for those who have special dietary requirements. With a passion for fine food and a flair for cooking, Karen Kelly founded the business in 2004 and her delicious Christmas puddings became a favourite at markets and food events in Melbourne and country Victoria, receiving awards in the process.
Check out their huge range, available for home delivery here
The Wool Stash is a yarn boutique in the historic village of Maldon in the central goldfields of Victoria, Australia.
If you love colour, soft squishy yarns and beautiful tools to assist you to make the garments you, your family, and your friends will treasure for a lifetime then The Wool Stash is for you!
Stocking Australian Organic Wool, Superfine Merino, New Zealand organic wool, naturally dyed Skienz wool and naked skiens for home dyeing, as well as knitting and crochet needles.
Or maybe you're keen on the new craze of weaving? A great hobby for Winter in lockdown!
View the huge range of knitting, crocheting, weaving and spinning wool and accessories here
Boomtown is a place of experimentation, learning and general entertainment, sourcing grapes from great local vineyards and making wines with sense of honesty that tell stories about our home. The wines offered under the Boomtown label are worked on as a collective, whilst the individual winemakers guide their own wines to bottle.
In normal times, you can drop in to the cellar door to sip and purchase wine. But for now, it's online sales only, delivered to your door.
Then there's Minim Wine, grown from grapes sourced locally by the charismatic Tim Sproal
The Boomtown crew look forward to welcoming you back soon. Until then, drink wine!
Boomtown Wine shop here
Minim Wine online shop here
Malmaison stocks luxury French lifestyle brands online. The outcome of Edwynna Adams' dream and vision, entwined with her love of French elegance, design and history.
Edwynna has travelled extensively around the world and holds a particular fondness for France, French culture, French living & style, which she brings to Malmaison.
Malmaison products are only available online. Click here for the full range.
Since 1994, Chelly and Peter have created rusty wire works for galleries, private homes, restaurants, cafes, vineyards and corporate spaces. Their sculptures have appeared in magazines including Vogue Living, Country Style, InsideOut and Marie Clare.
Their workshop, garden and gallery attracts hundreds of people every year. A museum is dedicated to vintage wire. A whimsical garden is filled with their floral wirework, including hidden garden galleries.
Pick up a metal flower or two for your garden!
Shades of Gray Gallery & Garden is closed to visitors until their Spring exhibition 31st Oct to 8th Nov.
For updates, follow their Instagram account here
Subscribe to the Castlemaine, Maldon & Surrounds e-newsletter to receive updates on the latest events taking place in the area.
Mount Alexander Shire Council acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land comprising the Mount Alexander Shire Council area.
We pay respect to their Elders both past, present, and emerging.
