The 11 best things to do with kids in Hepburn Springs

Beautiful spot for a walk around the lake. It took us about an hour with three kids in tow (one in pram). It's reasonably pram friendly, however, be mindful of extremely steep hills! There's a couple of them. The playground is fully fenced, which is a massive bonus!

"Lake Daylesford is truly a hidden gem. Nestled in the heart of Daylesford, this peaceful spot offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. The lake’s lush greenery, create an idyllic setting for a relaxing walk or picnic. Whether you're strolling along the scenic paths, enjoying a paddle boat ride, or simply unwinding at the lakeside café, every moment feels like a breath of fresh air. The gentle sound of water and the surrounding birdlife make it feel like a world away from everything. Definitely a must-visit for anyone seeking serenity, beauty, and a touch of nature’s magic."

Within walking distance of town, Lake Daylesford is a man-made lake that was built in the 1930’s. On arrival, early in the morning, a mist was rising from the water. The picturesque lake offers a ‘peace mile’ walking track which is almost 3 k’s long. There is also plenty to do here, swimming, fishing and birdwatching. There is a playground, paddleboats (but I don’t think they have seen much action for a while) BBQ’s and table and chairs. Food, coffee and comfort facilities onsite too. Well worth a visit if you are in town

Nice, calm, and peaceful scenery 😌 Guards your food. The ducks in the lake can be naughty! 👀 I visited on a Monday summer night with friends around 4.30ish. There were only us on the deck. It was perfect day to chill. Lovely place.

Pleasant walk around the lake

Such a beautiful place.. Visited in April so go to see beautiful fall colours.. driving from Melbourne to Daylesford is so scenic and beautiful. This place is very calm, peaceful and scenic. A good walk..not difficult at all.. nice place to spend time with family.. Public toilets are available. Coffee and basic snack places are available too.

Great place for a relaxing walk, nice to be able to do different length walking tracks depending on how far you want to go as well.

Beautiful gardens. Recommend to take the scenic drive around the property first. Signs are located as soon as you drive in. It will bring you up to a carpark. Perfect place to take in the views, have a picnic, or short stroll to the wonderful cafe. Allow yourself a few hours or plan the day. Public Toilets are available. Beautiful walking trails amongst the trees, gorgeous unique flowers. Highly recommend the cafe for a bite and coffee.

Lovely little walk with magnificent trees and flowers along the way to a yummy cafe which located on the grounds. My son loves to climb the tower and taking photos of almost every tree there. We are visiting this place several times a year at different seasons of school holidays.

"Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens is a beautiful and peaceful oasis in Daylesford. The gardens are immaculately maintained, with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and stunning views over the town. The walk to the top of the hill offers panoramic vistas, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. The historical significance of the gardens adds to the charm, and the on-site café is a great place to grab a coffee while soaking in the surroundings. Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a relaxing day out, Wombat Hill is definitely worth a visit!"

If you in Daylesford, go and see this little botanic garden. A little bit neglected but just in the right way to make your mind wander... Go on a quiet evening and watch the sunset or marvel at some of the big feature trees. Don't forget to walk through the fernery below the car park...

Very pleasant surroundings. Scenic drive. Tower walk. Cafe. Plenty of parking. BBQ shed. Facilities. Short walk to cafe. Oh, they have a cannon, too.

Absolutely gorgeous! Just go! But goneatly if you want a coffee, cafe closes not long after lunch.

Good for a quick stop and see beautiful view from the tower. Not special, but not bad either (hence 4). Cafe was open and saw people were enjoying their food. Drive was promoted as 'Scenic' but didn't like the drive much.

Calm and serene place. Kids loved the small park, lake, tall trees….loved the place

Good place for hiking and BBQ, but there are basically no signs of trails, it's hard to navigate.

We booked the family in for the family area and were very disappointed by the cost of the session, the lack of private changing areas and how busy the area was. We have been to a few spas and this one was well overpriced for the limited services. They need to visit Rye on the Mornington Peninsula and see how you should set up your business.

It's such a beautiful place, especially in autumn, with a colorful nature! The picnic area was really good with a few barbecues and benches. The toilets were clean and had hand wash soap. Overall, I absolutely enjoyed my trip to this beautiful park! It was a great chill day!

Beautiful park with free natural springs with which you can pump to fill up your water bottles. Apparently they date back to a period of drought where they had to bore drinking water in the 1930s' , though all the original taps were replaced in 2007. There are a few nature walks to more distant springs, however there are three or four within close walking distance of parking.

Easily accessible from carpark. Wide paths with 3 springs available. Great place for the kids and dog friendly. Bbq & picnic tables available. Bins available. Doggy bags next to bins. Public Toilet available

Nice green walk in Victoria. The springs are not waterfalls, as I thought, but it's still beautiful. There's a small cafe nearby with a cherry plum tree.

Beautiful lake and walking/bike trail around the lake. Nice, big play area and play park.

An unusual find - nicer than expected. A very peaceful 30-minute walk around the lake, with a lot of pretty flowers and variety of birds. Lots if ducks, cockatoos and some beautiful peacocks. Found a lovely bridge and waterfall too. Has a lovely camping area too and generally enjoyable.

Good place to chill. Gets a bit crowded at times. Go for the walk around the lake but watch out for snakes on warm days. And take your rubbish with you.

Went there during winter. Dog must be on lead. Can walk around lake. Got playground and bbq. Pretty spot for a day out.

Nice area with plenty of space. Sighted a few peacocks as well.

Went about 3pm on a Jan weekday. It was surprisingly fairly quiet. Swimming in the lake was lovely. Altho apparently there's no direct spring/ thermal water running into the lake, it must still have good minerals in it. My body and joints felt deeply soft after swimming in it. The walk around the lake is lovely. 😊

A very quiet, tranquil and unpretentious place with lots of wildlife, walks, and a welcoming silence. Cafe/kiosk, paddle boat hire, and lots of peacocks 🦚

Went here recently on a rainy weekday. Staff were very friendly and approachable. I tried their paddle that was non- alcoholic so my daughter could try it too. My daughter did not find one that she fancied, but i’m glad that they also gave us a free taste of their non- alcoholic spiced apple. My daughter loved it so much! We took home a few bottles of it and so as their other ciders. I had tried the Spiced cider warm as well with my friends and we all enjoyed it! I wish bought more of it! We will definitely come back here during spring or summer time!

What a wonderful visit we had today. We were greeted so warmly on arrival, informed that the ciders were all gluten free & choices for a gluten free meal was not a problem. Even our pooch Miss Rosie enjoyed a doggie bowl of water. The meals & ciders were amazing, we had a fabulous visit. Thank you so much for your friendly service. Kind regards, Michelle & Rob. 🌟

This place is beautiful and if you like cider and happens to be in Daylesford, you need to check this place. I am not a cider person but my friends enjoy it and they bought some to take home so that's a good sign! I like the pizza 🍕 as it's soft and thin. The staff are friendly here.

Set in a beautiful surrounding this place offers quality pizzas, a cosy restaurant, friendly staff and if course one of the best ciders I've ever tried. The cider tasting paddle is an excellent way to sample them all.

Great range of ciders, highly recommend the tasting paddle. Very disappointed by the pizza though. Overpriced, small and poor presentation. We ordered the puttanesca pizza to share, $29 +$3 to ADD anchovies (which is a key ingredient of puttanesca). Wood fired pizzas being served on a dinner plate does not match the presentation expected for such a nice venue. Means some of the ingredients slide towards the centre, should be served on wooden pizza boards. The base itself was average. Place has potential, but until the food offerings are reviewed/changed, I would only recommend coming for drinks.

Visited in September but we’re still talking about the spiced cider and spiced apple we had there. Service was friendly and wasn’t at all busy mid-week. Wanted to upload a photo of the food menu as I couldn’t find one when I had been looking this place up! I can see that a sample menu has been added to the website though.

This is the place to be in Daylesford for cider tasting. We had pizzas, cheese platters, olives, a variety of alcoholic & non-alcoholic ciders for lunch. The garden was cute, wish it wasn't raining. Otherwise it would've been a great place for kids to run around!

Very pretty location. We did the classic tasting and enjoyed all the wines. We meet the wine dog whom is very friendly. Lots of spaces you can sit and enjoy the winey, Take some snacks with ya and buy a bottle of their wine.

Food is delicious - but the $75 per person 3 course meal is not worth it! Me and my wife booked in the 3 course meal for $75 per person expecting to be taken through the seasonal produce they proudly offer. We were served delicious food, but it was all from the menu that we added up to $138 in total plus a garden salad. We paid $150 for the two of us, expecting at least $150 or more worth of food. If we bought all the items we were served, we would have paid less? That didn’t make sense to us. None of the dishes were presented in a way to make it appealing either. It was just average service. We won’t be coming back unfortunately.

Food was absolutely delicious, we had the $100 wine tasting with the 3 course meal and it did not disappoint. 7 different wines all of which our lovely waiter Jemima described in detail, would definitely come back and purchase the wine we sampled! Overall a great experience and service was exceptional.

Have had their meals here quite a few times now. Always have to book. But it's worth it! It's a 3 course set menu. You can choose for them to match the wines or you can order your own. Either way it's a truly delicious meal. Never walked away unhappy. It's a We stopped on the way home from Hepburn Springs. A lovely little winery, you can book in for a three course meal ahead of time but we just stopped for some tastings. Tastings cost or you can buy a bottle of their lovely wines instead. I've been a couple of times and always walked away with a couple bottles of wine. The outdoor area is beautifully designed and is a great spot in lovely weather to look out over while sipping wine. Stopped here again! Bought more delicious wine. Never fails to impress and not far from Melbourne. More wine in the car.

A delightful boutique winery that exceeded all expectations! Our group of six visited on a Monday and had a fantastic experience. The wine tastings were excellent, offering a good selection, and the restaurant delivered outstanding service and dishes that truly impressed our food-loving group. This winery is charming and authentic - it avoids the overly commercial feel of some larger venues. Enjoying a meal while gazing out over the picturesque vineyards was a highlight, making the visit even more special. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a relaxed yet high-quality winery experience!

Absolutely loved this winery! Haven’t found one this good in the region, highly recommend!!!

Passing Clouds Winery Lunch Experience Exceptional Winery Setting Undermined by Logistical Failures and some modest food portions. We booked a 1:15 PM lunch reservation for a pax of seven, understanding the conditions of the pre-booked, three-course set menu and the strict 15-minute window for table retention. While the tasting room staff were courteous and offered a sparkling beverage upon our arrival understandably we couldn’t sit in the restaurant, , the restaurant service that followed was an unacceptable disappointment, ultimately letting the beautiful Passing Clouds winery down. Significant Timing Discrepancy Despite the stringent 15-minute late policy imposed on guests, we were not seated until well over an hour past our reserved 1:15 PM booking time. This delay set a poor precedent for the meal and wasted precious time from our planned milestone birthday celebration. Failure to Deliver Set Menu Components The meal delivery and portioning were the primary source of frustration, starters at 2:25 PM. • Starters (Sardines, Hummus, Cold Meats): We requested more bread to accompany the dip none was left. Receiving just one slice of bread, cut in half, for seven people? • Mains (Chicken/Steak): When selecting our mains of 5 selections, we were assured by the waiter that the advertised sides (salad and fries) would come with the dishes, we requested the salad. However, upon being served our mains later on, we asked about the missing salad and were informed, without prior communication, that the kitchen had run out of salad and we were instead given carrots. It is baffling that a pre-booked set menu can run out of a core component, and that the decision to substitute it with carrots was made without consulting the paying patrons. • Dessert: The portion control continued with the dessert. For seven guests, we received only three slices of polenta cake. The 2 cheeses was similarly too modest, amounting to little more than a matchstick-sized piece per person. The ambiance and the quality of the wines at Passing Clouds are indeed beautiful and hold great potential. However, the restaurant food was delicious although the operations lack the organisation and professionalism expected of a private winery dining experience. The combination of the excessive delay was not acknowledged by the restaurant, the chronic lack of essential components (bread, salad), and the clear cost-cutting measures applied to the set menu portions severely diminished the value for money and ruined the celebratory mood. We drove a considerable distance and adhered strictly to the booking terms; in return, the restaurant failed to honor its commitment to the advertised experience. I would avoid the dining experience here until management can ensure consistent service, appropriate portion sizing, and reliable execution of their pre booked set menu.

Such a gorgeous little cafe! Went with my girlfriends for a day trip from Melbourne and this did not disappoint. Music and vibe was so wholesome and relaxing and staff were so lovely. The food came so quickly too and was delicious! Would highly recommend.

Wombat Hill House in Daylesford is a charming cafe nestled in the beautiful Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Enjoy seasonal local produce, vegan options, and friendly service in a serene atmosphere. Pet-friendly outdoor seating and scenic views make it a must-visit destination.

What a fantastic café! We went for breakfast, had a a lovely experience and ate fabulous food. Coffee was good too. The lunch menu looked delicious so we’ll have to go back. It was great to have a wonder through the park afterwards.

We visited Wombat Hill House cafe for brunch and it was such an enjoyable dining experience. The conservatory is a beautiful light-filled space, the service was warm and friendly, and the food was absolutely delicious. We ordered via the QR code on the table and our food and drinks came out quickly. The big breakfast was hearty and flavourful, and the French toast was fluffy on the inside and deliciously crisp on the outside, served with a sweet vanilla mascarpone and poached pear - yum!

Staff are lovely and relaxed. I got a cosy table by the fire and loved the atmosphere. Thank you for your great service during peak hour on a saturday morning! Everything looks so yum and it's a very cosy winter escape!

The staff are friendly and attentive, making sure your experience is nothing short of wonderful. Even during busy hours, they maintain a welcoming vibe, ensuring that guests feel valued and comfortable. Even gave us a complimentary brownie for our Babymoon 🥰

Located in Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. A rainy day can't dampen our spirits when there's dessert and coffee to be had after a stroll in Botanic Gardens. 🍰 Carrot cake 🍰 Basque cheesecake

What an absolutely amazing experience! From start to finish, our 1-hour horse riding session with Brandon was nothing short of perfect. Brandon was with us the entire time — guiding, encouraging, and making sure everyone felt safe, comfortable, and confident. His calm energy and deep knowledge of the horses made a huge difference, especially for those of us who were new to riding. The horses were well-trained and clearly cared for with love, and the scenery was stunning. Brandon took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all our questions, and added fun little insights along the way that made the ride even more special. If you're thinking about booking a session, do it — and ask for Brandon! His presence truly made the experience unforgettable. We’re already planning our next ride!

I took three kids , 13, 14 and 8 for a fantastic trail ride. The people guiding us were genuinely awesome and my kids came away saying it was an amazing experience and asking when they could go again.

A fantastic trail ride with lovely scenery and beautiful horses. Teresa was so accomodating, going above and beyond when we tried to book in. Originally there were no rides left for the 3 coming days we were in town, however she took down down our number, keeping in contact and managed to squeeze us in on our last day. Our guides Tanya and Lavinia were also totally awesome! Very friendly and personable. Highly recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

All the horses are well trained. We enjoyed the riding even we have never ridden the horses before. The coaches are nice. She took so many nice pictures and clips for us. Definitely recommend people to try this!

Absolutely amazing horse riding experience. Suitable for ALL levels of riding ability. I am a seasoned rider whereas my friend was a novice. They split us into ability groups mid way through so everyone could enjoy their trail riding at a pace suitable. Shoutout to Hammer, he was a true gentleman to ride!

Took my partner riding for his first time. Very accommodating place. They explained everything well to him. Both of us were put on suitable horses for our riding level/ability. Great ride!

Fantastic, authentic experience. Our kids loved it! Beautiful bush surrounds and friendly, experienced staff.

My partner and I had such an enjoyable experience on our horse ride. Both of us are rookies but the staff and horses were absolute legends. Very knowledgeable and kind staff, including Bluey. The horses are gentle, chill, and so well looked after. Would definitely come back for another trot!

Absolutely fantastic experience! Couldn't reccomend highly enough!! Booking in was so easy via email with great communication and understanding of changing dates, to the lovely staff on the grounds, beautiful & well cared for horses and picturesque views in the gorgeous forest. Already eager to go back for another ride.

Best ride in Victoria thus far. Stunning scenery, relaxed riding energy and fully caters to skill level of riders. Instructors were kind and open and generous with rider requests! Horses were beautiful, grounded and very well looked after. Wonderful value for money too.

Took our 2 young grand daughters (5 & 7) for their first riding experience today. What more can I say but great staff and the most enjoyable time for everyone. We will be back. Thank you.

We visited Boomerang Ranch for pony rides yesterday, and it was amazing. The big smiles on the kids while they sat on their ponies (and horses for the bigger ones) was easily worth the fee, but they also had a beautiful walk through bushland. We were all so thrilled with this activity and plan to come again next holidays. Cannot speak highly enough.

Fantastic place to give kids the opportunity to experience a trail ride with some lovely ponies and horses. Kids are matched to a pony/horse based on their experience and go on an hour trail ride. The ranch has been around for 40 years and I went as a child and got to take my children. Highly recommend!

Enjoyed two days weekend course in this place. Absolutely love this place and the friendly horses, will be back for the horse riding.

I worked with Brendan to propose to my partner during the GPS treasure hunt. Brendan was an absolute pleasure to deal with; and was super accommodating in making sure all my wishes were met and that the day went as smooth as possible. From setting up the picnic to coordinating with multiple vendors; I couldn't recommend him enough if you are considering the proposal edition of the GPS treasure hunt.

The GPS treasure hut exceeded all expectations, even the 13 year old told me that it was better than he thought it was going to be! (although not quite in those words...) It also went down very well with the adults too. Spectacular scenery and a fun way to get in some exercise and a few laughs. We had friendly rivalry between 4 groups of 4 which was a perfect combo so that all were able to participate. Brendan was a pleasure to deal with and explained things clearly at the commencement. He had collected a prepared picnic from a local supplier and set it up for us to conclude the opening to our celebrations in Daylesford. Thanks again Brendan for what you do and how well you do it. Debbie and family.

My partner and I had a great and unique experience with Secret Forest Walks. Brendan is very knowledgeable and passionate about the beautiful forests in this area and set us off on our walk with all the info and maps we needed to feel confident going off trail. The gps meant we could explore where we wouldn’t normally feel confident going. Lovely nature and sunshine filled afternoon. Highly recommend.

The GPS Treasure Hunt around Lake Daylesford was the perfect way to go for a long family walk, whilst keeping the kids happy and entertained. Brendan was a wonderful, enthusiastic and informative host, and is clearly passionate about what he does. It was also great to learn some interesting facts along the way, whilst soaking in the beautiful surrounds. Highly recommend!

Took my partner for a Secret Forest Walk and it was the most amazing way to enjoy the Australian Bush. Brendan met with us in the morning for a quick briefing and to show us how to use the GPS. We really appreciated his passion and thoughtfulness for this experience. The walk itself was so peaceful and secluded, only ever passing a handful of people when our journey briefly intertwined with another walking trail. As it was just the two of us, we could take it at our own pace and really enjoy the space we were in. Highly recommend and cannot thank Brendan enough for everything!

The proposal edition of the treasure hunt is a great idea for anyone looking to surprise their partner. It includes the treasure hunt around lake Daylesford - which is great fun and has some beautiful views - plus Brendan assisted in organising a fantastic picnic and set up a spot with views to the lake. He works closely with Spade to Blade for the food which was absolutely amazing. Overall a fantastic experience and for me personally, a special moment in time. Brendan still maintains his 100% success rate for engagements!

We had a great time ! Experience is fun for all ages , get to see great views of the lake and the host Brendan was incredibly friendly. Definetly reccomend to people who are new to Dayelsford as it's a good intro to the town.

Really enjoyed the trip $18/adult or $15/student. It’s time to escape the reality.

Cosy looking railway station. Only operates cargo trains and a Sunday excursion trip.

Volunteer run, this is such a great little adventure for everyone, particularly Autistic me! Great little station, great Diesel train ride, and most of all everyone was very friendly. PS… there’s also a cool little gift shop!

Would love to see the train being used & have MKT areas at Musk & Bullarto ... Maybe even have a theme at each station ... Like one focusing natural produce & another on hand made or old wares ... Not a strict thing but would give a somewhat practical reason to use train service

Great place for families. The market is a great atmosphere with heaps of local produce!

The railway was beautiful and the staff was amazing at answering questions. However the market was junk items

On Sundays you can actually book a ride on a vintage train.