Included: An experienced, local walking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 4-day guided walking tour in the Daylesford-Goldfields region (2 full days of hiking plus travel/immersion days) Accommodation for 3 nights at a charming Daylesford home (twin-share) All meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 two-course dinners; snacks, fruit, and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the trip Entry to the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, tasting experiences at local chocolate and cider producers, and visits to artisan villages and galleries All transfers including return transport from Melbourne and daily trail shuttles National park entry fees Carbon offset program participation Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout): Single occupancy room Not included: Flights Alcoholic beverages Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above Insurance — recommended, available at checkout Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

In order to join this walking tour, basic fitness is required and no prior hiking experience necessary. The most you’ll walk within a day is up to 10 km (6 mi) , with very gentle elevation changes. The guides carry group gear and snacks—just your light daypack and an open mind to enjoy the walking, culture, and food.

What do I need to bring?

Clothing: Comfortable hiking clothes Spare layers for changing weather Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Swimwear (for the bathhouse and any lake swims) Footwear: Lightweight hiking boots or trail shoes Comfortable shoes for evenings in town Equipment/essentials: Daypack (20-30L is plenty, since you’re not carrying overnight gear) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Hiking poles — optional Camera — optional (but recommended) Toiletries: Sunscreen Hand sanitizer Bug spray Tissues Optional: Swim towel (bathhouse towels may be provided) Binoculars for spotting wildlife along the Domino Rail Trail Dress comfortably and for the weather—layers let you adapt to cool mornings and warm afternoons.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: For this guided walking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1 . It takes a minimum of 1 person for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 10 participants . Solo travelers can share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18 , you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the walking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy room available?

The price for this hiking tour in Daylesford is based on twin-share rooms , but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee . You can add it to your booking at checkout.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Daylesford Goldfields Track hike is Melbourne . To get there, most people fly into Melbourne Airport (MEL) . From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach the meeting point. You will meet your guide at 7:15 am in Melbourne, at the National Gallery of Victoria, for a 7:30 am departure.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

VICTORIA | AUSTRALIA

Daylesford Goldfields Track: 4-Day Guided Walking Adventure in Victoria

Name: Hiking Daylesford: Goldfields Track Walk, VIC │ 57hours
Brand: 57hours
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

4 days | Easy to Moderate | 5.00

From $2,079 ()

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Some hikes are about the miles. This one’s about the mineral springs, the chocolate mill, and the fact that nobody’s carrying more than a daypack. We walk roughly 36 km (22 mi) of the Goldfields Track in Victoria over four unhurried days, tracing old gold rush routes between Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, and Castlemaine, then closing out each afternoon with something considerably more relaxing than a summit push. Think forest trails by day, bathhouses and bakeries by evening, and a home base in Daylesford the whole way through.

Beth

Hiking guide

Adventure Highlights

Relaxed guided hikes: Unwind with easy-going walks through eucalypt forests, historic villages, and scenic bushland
Culture and indulgence: Enjoy mineral bathhouse relaxation, artisan chocolates, local produce, and visits to creative hotspots
Hassle-free comfort: All meals, cozy accommodation, transfers, and unique local experiences included—just bring your daypack and a sense of adventure

Duration

4 days

Season

October through April

Group size

Up to 10 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

Over four unhurried days, hike close to 36 km (22 mi) of Victoria's Goldfields Track between Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, and Castlemaine. Expect easy-to-moderate trails through box ironbark forest, gold rush ruins, and heritage townships, balanced with mineral bathhouse soaks, artisan chocolate, and home-cooked dinners each evening. Base camp for all three nights is a spacious manor house in Daylesford, and the only thing on your back is a daypack.

Day 1: Melbourne to Hanging Rock and Chewton, then settle into Daylesford

We depart Melbourne and head northwest, pausing in the village of Mt Macedon for a morning tea break. From there, we continue to Hanging Rock, climbing the summit track for sweeping panoramic views before spending two to three hours exploring the reserve and its discovery center. Heading north to Chewton, we step into the region’s gold mining history, tracing old water race tracks and passing mining ruins through dry eucalypt forest, our first real taste of the Goldfields Track. Before continuing to Daylesford, there’s time for a swim or a quiet moment by the water. Once we arrive and settle into our accommodation, the evening closes with a two-course dinner prepared by our guides.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Hiking: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Accommodation: Manor House in Daylesford

Day 2: Hepburn Springs, Dry Diggings Trail, and artisan treats in Castlemaine

After breakfast and packing our own lunch, we set off for Hepburn Springs Reserve and a scenic 5 km (3.1 mi) stretch of the historic Dry Diggings Trail, ending at a chocolate mill where our transport is waiting. From there we head to Fryerstown, exploring its historic buildings, including the Burke and Wills Mechanics’ Institute dating to 1863, before walking to Spring Gully through open farmland and box ironbark forest scattered with old mining gullies and sluices. A stop in Guildford brings insight into the region’s Indigenous heritage and a picnic lunch beneath a nearly 1,000-year-old River Red Gum, listed on the National Trust Register. In Castlemaine, we explore The Mill, a former woolen mill turned artisan precinct, with time to sample local chocolate and coffee. The evening wraps up with a two-course dinner back at our accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Accommodation: Manor House in Daylesford

Day 3: Three Lost Children walk, Sawpit Gully to Porcupine Ridge, Mt Franklin, and Hepburn Bathhouse

After preparing breakfast and packing lunch, we return to the Goldfields Track within Wombat State Forest, starting with the Three Lost Children walk and its resonant local history. From there, we continue along the trail from Sawpit Gully to Porcupine Ridge, moving through former goldfields turned regional parkland. After lunch, we head to Mt Franklin, a dormant volcano cloaked in conifer forest and ornamental trees, and walk the loop trail circling its rim to a lookout over the surrounding plains. Later, we visit the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, soaking in mineral springs pools that have offered communal bathing since 1895. The day ends with a final group dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Accommodation: Manor House in Daylesford

Day 4: Lake Daylesford, Domino Rail Trail, and Trentham Falls

After breakfast and packing lunch, we check out and head to the Convent Gallery, a heritage complex of galleries, gardens, and a café that was once a convent, with time to explore at your own pace. From there we continue toward Melbourne, pausing in Lyonville for a 6 km (3.7 mi) walk along the Domino Rail Trail, a former railway line and habitat for the endangered Powerful Owl. In the village of Trentham, we visit the Red Beard Bakery, home to a wood-fired Scotch oven that’s been in continuous use since 1891, for a treat before heading back to Melbourne.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking: 9 km (5.6 mi)

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Lodging & food

The Manor House, Daylesford

Home base for all three nights is a striking eight-bedroom manor house set on a private estate just outside Daylesford, an easy walk from the town’s shops and cafés.

Rooms come with queen or twin beds and their own ensuite, and the property’s wraparound verandah, double-sided wood fireplace, and mix of ducted heating and air conditioning make it a genuinely comfortable place to land after a day on the trail.

Food

Apart from all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, expect the trail to come with edible detours: artisan chocolate at a local mill, a hot chocolate to go with it, a stop for coffee in Castlemaine’s historic Mill precinct, and a visit to Trentham’s Red Beard Bakery, still baking sourdough from a wood-fired oven first lit in 1891.

Evenings bring two-course, home-cooked dinners, and there might be a cider tasting along the way too.

Adventure, packed to go

Daylesford Goldfields Track: 4-Day Guided Walking Adventure in Victoria

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Beth

Hiking guide

Beth is part of the amazing Tasmania Park Trek Crew. Beth has a passion for the outdoors and all things associated with nature. Her current goal is walking all the Abels (158 of Tasmania’s Mountains over 1,100m tall). In her spare time, you’ll see her out walking, rock climbing or adventuring somewhere new.

5.00

Mat

Hiking guide

Mat first came to Tassy in 2021 and instantly fell in love with its wild beauty and the scope for adventures it presented. He has since been living and guiding full-time in Tasmania. As a keen explorer and history buff, he is passionate about sharing Tasmania’s special places and stories with his guests and friends.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (3 reviews)

Amanda Rogers

The Daylesford & Goldfields guided walk is perfect for hikers of all levels, with a mix of challenging and easy sections. Each walk showcases a unique part of the bush, and the guides ensures everyone’s abilities are catered for. The guides have wonderful knowledge of the area and the Australian bush. The accommodation and food are exceptional

Anne McMahon

The guides were brilliant and very accommodating. It was a wonderful experience…..from the house we stayed in and the great food prepared for us, to the easy transport to and from our hotel in Melbourne, thank you. We’ll be back next year for another adventure!!

Judy wright

I took part in the 4 days Goldfields Walking trip, from Daylesford and it was very enjoyable! The walks were all fairly easy and interesting! The two guides, Angie and Gerard were marvellous, friendly, knowledgeable and kind! The prepared delicious meals for us too.

Show all reviews

Amanda Rogers

Anne McMahon

Judy wright

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local walking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 4-day guided walking tour in the Daylesford-Goldfields region (2 full days of hiking plus travel/immersion days)
  - Accommodation for 3 nights at a charming Daylesford home (twin-share)
  - All meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 two-course dinners; snacks, fruit, and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the trip
  - Entry to the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, tasting experiences at local chocolate and cider producers, and visits to artisan villages and galleries
  - All transfers including return transport from Melbourne and daily trail shuttles
  - National park entry fees
  - Carbon offset program participation
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
- - Single occupancy room
Not included:
- - Flights
  - Alcoholic beverages
  - Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
In order to join this walking tour, basic fitness is required and no prior hiking experience necessary. The most you’ll walk within a day is up to 10 km (6 mi), with very gentle elevation changes. The guides carry group gear and snacks—just your light daypack and an open mind to enjoy the walking, culture, and food.
Clothing:
- - Comfortable hiking clothes
  - Spare layers for changing weather
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - Swimwear (for the bathhouse and any lake swims)
Footwear:
- - Lightweight hiking boots or trail shoes
  - Comfortable shoes for evenings in town
Equipment/essentials:
- - Daypack (20-30L is plenty, since you’re not carrying overnight gear)
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Toiletries:
- - Sunscreen
  - Hand sanitizer
  - Bug spray
  - Tissues
Optional:
- - Swim towel (bathhouse towels may be provided)
  - Binoculars for spotting wildlife along the Domino Rail Trail
Dress comfortably and for the weather—layers let you adapt to cool mornings and warm afternoons.

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Group sizes and pricing:
- - For this guided walking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 1 person for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 10 participants.
  - Solo travelers can share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the walking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  - If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this hiking tour in Daylesford is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
The starting point of your Daylesford Goldfields Track hike is Melbourne. To get there, most people fly into Melbourne Airport (MEL). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach the meeting point.

You will meet your guide at 7:15 am in Melbourne, at the National Gallery of Victoria, for a 7:30 am departure.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
- If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
- If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
- If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
- Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.

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