BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park

Local Attractions

Castlemaine is a beautiful town which is busy, yet not over run with tourists. There are many activities to do locally including markets, wineries, lots of interesting shops to explore, as well as a vibrant cafe culture offering so many wonderful choices when it comes to food. Castlemaine also has a thriving arts and cultural community and has made its mark as a leading Regional Arts Centre. We are also a great base from which to explore a number of other historic towns in the Goldfields area. Ask us about our suggested day trip itineraries or group packages.

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Attractions Events Visitor Info

Attractions

Dining and Eating Out (1)
1. Theatre Royal Castlemaine's Theatre Royal has been entertaining since 1858 and is still showing strong today!
Entertainment (1)
1. Victorian Goldfields Railway The unmistakable nostalgic sound of a steam locomotive's whistle can be heard in the distance on any Wednesday or Sunday as you stroll along the main streets of Castlemaine or Maldon.
Galleries, Museums and Collections (1)
1. Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum The Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum is renowned for its collection of Australian art and for its unique assembly of historical artefacts relating to the Mount Alexander goldfields district in Victoria. The gallery enjoys strong support from artists and art patrons. Association with famous personalities such as Dame Nellie Melba enriches its collection.
Historical Sites and Heritage Locations (1)
1. Buda Historic Home & Garden Buda Historic Home & Garden is one of the great heritage assets of the Goldfields region. Buda was built in 1861 and from 1863 was the home of noted silversmith Ernest Leviny and his family. Complete with the family's art and craft collections, furnishings and domestic effects, the gracious historic home surrounded by one of the most important large 19th century suburban gardens surviving in Victoria was home to the remarkably creative Leviny family for a period of 118 years from 1863.

Events

Festivals and Celebrations (1)
1. Castlemaine State Festival The Castlemaine State Festival is a ten day multi-arts celebration that draws on the distinctive culture of the central Victorian goldfields region - of old and new, of the artistic and the agricultural, and its dynamic community strengths. Held in autumn every two years, the festival showcases works from the region's finest artists and performing arts companies, alongside national and international artists.

Visitor Information

Visitor Information Centres (1)
1. Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre Located in the Castlemaine Market Building (circa 1862), the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre is a great place to begin your exploration of this diverse region.

Our Local Highlights

Restorers Barn: The hardware store of last century is must see, It could take half an hour or half the day. The Restorers Barn has 10,000 sq ft of interesting collectables and fittings from the past as well as thousands of reproduction architectural products. Find that missing plate from Grandma's dinner set, door knobs and light switches to suit your renovation, or any other lost treasures. Capturing history from the practical to the collectable.
Theatre Royal: Castlemaine's Theatre Royal is the oldest continually operating theatre on the Australian mainland. Castlemaine is very proud of this iconic building. It has a history of over 150 years of continuous entertainment on the same site . Cinema operates 7 days a week with live shows and special events a regular feature. Check out their website for programs.
Victorian Goldfields Railway: The Steam Train runs between Castlemaine and Maldon on Wednesdays, Sundays and public holidays. A beautiful way to see historic Maldon. Departs Castlemaine at 11.45am and leaves you in Maldon for 2 hours which is just enough time to walk the main street and have some lunch at one of the fine restaurants or old world hotels. Then departs Maldon at 2.30pm arriving back at Castlemaine at 3.15pm. Also has special events - Thomas the Tank Engine weekends, Wine and Cheese Trains, see website.
Fashion Central: Arcade of last century, full of elegant old world charm. There is a licensed coffee shop, "gentlemans" fashion, vintage and designer ladies wear, book shop, chocolate shop and haberdashery. Open Thursday to Sunday.
The Chocolate Mill: The Chocolate Mill is the home of the Ultimate Hot Chocolate. In May 2010 The Herald Sun rated the top 5 hot chocolates in the state, Chocolate Mill was #1. Free Entry - Free Chocolate Making demonstration at 11am and 2pm.
Buda House: A charming 19th century gentlemains residence surrounded by a picturesque garden. Ernest Leviny, a noted gold and silversmith from Hungary, came to Castlemaine in the 1800's. He had 4 sons and 6 daughters, only 1 of the daughters ever married. All lived at home and when the last one died in the 1980's she sold the house as it was to The Castlemaine Art Gallery in which the girls helped establish. A real step back in time.
Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum: Many people and tourists have told us that we have one of the best galleries in regional Victoria. Founded in 1913, the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum has acquired an excellant collection of Australian art works and historical items from the district's past. The Gallery and Museum is fully accredited by Museums Australia and open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm-5pm.
Brian Nunan Gallery: Resident Castlemaine painter Brian Nunan has held annual one-man exhibitions in various Australian Galleries from 1971 including Hamilton Fine Arts Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts in Darwin, his work featuring in private collections throughout Australia and overseas. The subject of his paintings came from his extensive travels undertaken each year to the Northern Territory and northern WA. His "Bourke & Wills Collection" currently here in his Castlemaine Gallery often tours Australia.
Henry's Cider: Great apple ciders, mulled cider, apple cider vinegar & pear wine vinegars, apply chardy, apple champers and the apple & pear liqueur are really really GOOD! All in a beautiful pond setting and with a few days notice Henry's can organise a ploughman's lunch for your club or group. Drew Henry is also a bit of an expert on the walking tracks around Mt Alexander.
Rare Spares Legend: Rod Hatfields private hot rod collection, open to the public for a small entrance fee. Rod was the first man in Australia to go 200 MILES per hour and he has the machine he did it in on display with many of his other custom built machines. A fascinating collection from a motoring great.
XXXX Antiques: The is about a dozen Antique shops around, if you only visit 1 antique shop this is the ONE. Specialising in quality Australian and European decorative antiques and accessories. The XXXX Complex has one of the most comprehensive ranges of Antiques, Art Deco, Automobilia, Collectables, Cast Iron and Garden Furniture in Central Victoria. With over 30,000 individual antique and collectable items in stock, and more arriving all the time, there is sure to be something to suit your tastes!
Wesley Hill Market: Wesley Hill Market is on every Saturday from 7.30am thru to 1.00pm and has local and organic fruit & veggies, plants, a mens shed stall, coffees and a delicious array of food including traditional yum cha, pastries, organic bread, cakes and the best Chai you are ever likely to drink!
Castlemaine Artists Market: The Castlemaine Artists' Market is set to become another treasure in the Goldfields. Held in the Brickyard Garden of the historic Theatre Royal, the maket provides local artists and craftspeople from this richly creative community with a local outlet complimented by the high profile cinema. You can enjoy the offerings from the Theatre Royal kitchen while you browse the market, or even take in a movie. Held on the first Sunday of each month except January, June and July from 10am-3pm.
Castlemaine Farmers Market: The Castlemaine Farmers' Market that is located in the centre of the Historic Township has more than 40 quality stallholders showcasing produce from Central Victoria. The Market sells locally grown and made produce where the growers/producers actually sell the product themselves. Live music and entertainment. Held first Sunday of every month except January from 9am-1pm.
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa: A scenic 20 minute drive away, the historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa has been welcoming visitors since 1895 to bathe in the region’s mineral waters. An icon of the region, the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa is nestled in the Mineral Springs Reserve and draws mineral waters directly from the springs to offer a unique spa and bathhouse experience. Traditional communal bathing in warmed mineral water pools along with a range of hydrotherapies, a magnificent day spa and Pavilion Cafe await you.
Cricket Willow: Cricket Willow is the only facility in the world where visitors can witness the fascinating process of cricket bat manufacture from start to finish. Stroll through the trees in the willow grove, see a bat being crafted in the cricket gallery, select a Jabaroo bat from the exclusive shop or smash a few runs in the middle of the picturesque Cricket Oval. One of our recommended day trips only 30 minutes from Castlemaine - go via the Chocolate Mill, Daylesford, Hepburn Spings and Lavendula.
Wineries: Castlemaine is surrounded by many fantastic wineries. Harcourt Valley, Bress Winery & Cidery, Sutton Grange Wines, Jindaarra Springs, Black Jack, Langanook... just to name a few. Pick up the Food & Wine Trail brochure from reception and plan you day.
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm: Around its golden stone farm buildings, Lavandula grows lavender, olives and grapes.
Drive 10 minutes north from Daylesford to relax and hear the quiet
Enjoy the space, walk in a garden that is beautiful and productive
Find a secret place and listen to the birdsong
Play petanque
Discover regional 1860s Italian architecture
Meet farm animals
Shop in the Barn for homewares and potions
Licensed daytime cafe serves teas and lunches
Great place to include in a day trip from Castlemaine.

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