The Central Victorian town of Castlemaine, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, is approximately 120 kilometres north of Melbourne, and 40 kilometres from the thriving regional city of Bendigo. Gold was discovered in 1851, and within months, thousands of diggers were working the alluvial creek beds around Castlemaine and Chewton. Over the following year or two, a hospital, post office, prison, and newspaper office were established. Many of these early buildings remain, and, along with abandoned gold beds and mine shafts scattered throughout the bushlands, they are a significant part of the town’s history and charm.
Today, Castlemaine and the surrounding region are best known for its vibrant and diverse arts community and activity, its wineries (hearty reds are a speciality) and microbreweries, its hiking and cycling trails, and its excellent local produce and farmers’ markets. The town’s proximity to Melbourne, its quality schooling and health services, and its easy access to places of interest across Central Victoria, combined with attractions such as the historic Theatre Royal, the busy and vibrant Mill District, and the renowned Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, support a successful tourism sector.
Adjoining Castlemaine are the townships of Chewton, Campbells Creek, Guildford, Harcourt, Yapeen, Vaughan, Fryerstown, Newstead and historic Maldon. These centres are also strong local communities with a range of attractions, from galleries and cafes to noted gardens and heritage architecture.
