Daylesford & Surrounds Picnic Spots
The following locations are the best picnic spots in Daylesford and the surrounds.
Best Picnic Spots in Daylesford
Lake Daylesford
The iconic Lake Daylesford offers a range of activities, from walking and cycling to a kids' play space and BBQ facilities to enjoy a picnic by the lake. Circuit walk (2.5km) with great views.
Location: 2 Leggatt St, Daylesford (Foreshore / Boathouse carpark)
Facilities: Picnic tables, electric BBQs, playground, covered areas, toilets, mineral springs
Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens
Heritage-listed botanical garden with National Trust recognised conifers and exotic trees. Climb to the top of the Pioneer Lookout Tower for views across the whole region.
Location: Central Springs Rd, Daylesford
Facilities: Picnic tables, toilets, cafe, covered areas
Central Springs Reserve
The reserve is a grassy area alongside a bubbling creek, with three mineral water pumps. The cascades of the Lake Daylesford spillway create a perfect waterfall in Spring or after rain.
Location: Fulcher St, Daylesford or access via short walk from Leggatt St
Facilities: Picnic tables, BBQs, covered areas, toilets (nearby), mineral springs
Jubilee Lake
On the banks of picturesque Jubilee Lake, with kiosk and paddle boat hire. Take a stroll around the lake and cross the historic railway bridge. Has a covered BBQ area.
Location: 151 Lake Rd, Daylesford
Facilities: Picnic tables, electric BBQs, playground, covered area, toilets, mineral spring
Victoria Park
Picnic under The Big Rainbow! Victoria Park is a shady reserve and sports-ground - its is also the home of the Daylesford Football Netball Club and the Hepburn Soccer Club.
Location: 3021 Daylesford-Ballan Rd, Daylesford
Facilities: Toilets
Daylesford Community Park
With a playground and a skatepark perfect for BMX bikes, scooters, and skateboards. The reserve also has a small community garden which can be enjoyed while having a picnic or BBQ.
Location: 33 Duke St, Daylesford
Facilities: Picnic tables, electric BBQs, playground, covered area, toilets, skate park
Best Picnic Spots in Hepburn Regional Park
Tipperary Springs Reserve
With Sailors Creek running alongside it, Tipperary Springs is lovely shady reserve. Part of the Goldfields Track, keen eyes can still see the remnants of the gold mining era in the area.
Location: Hepburn Regional Park access from Tipperary Springs Rd
Facilities: Picnic tables, wood BBQs, toilets, mineral springs
Twin Bridges
Set next to the convergence of Sailors and Stony Creeks. Walk the popular section of the Goldfields Track that loops between Twin Bridges & Tipperary Springs (4.6km circuit)
Location: Hepburn Regional Park access from Midland Hwy, Daylesford
Facilities: Picnic tables, wood BBQs
Blowhole Scenic Reserve
This diversion tunnel on Sailors Creek was built by gold miners around the early 1870s. An impressive sight when the creek is in full flow. Some great loop walks in the area.
Location: Access from Blowhole Rd, Hepburn Hepburn Regional Park
Facilities: Picnic tables
Deep Creek Streamside Reserve
A quiet, tranquil picnic area with tables and natural lawn - a perfect place to relax amongst the towering Eucalypts. Views of the old pump house give a snapshot of the site's European history.
Location: Deep Spring Rd, Eganstown Hepburn Regional Park
Facilities: Picnic tables, mineral spring
Lalgambuk
A unique experience, Lalgambuk is a volcanic crater that offers an ideal place for a picnic set amongst plantings of huge conifers and deciduous trees ablaze with colour in Autumn.
Location: 4 Powells Ln, Mt Franklin Hepburn Regional Park
Facilities: Picnic tables, wood BBQs, covered area, toilets
Best Picnic Spots in Daylesford Surrounds
Glenlyon Recreation Reserve
A beautiful river side setting on the Loddon River. Home to the annual 'Glenlyon Mixed Sports Day' held on New Year's Day. Walk the nearby Biolink Trail.
Location: Sutton Lane, Glenlyon
Facilities: Picnic tables, electric BBQs, playground, covered area, toilets, mineral spring
Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve
Home to Australia's first mineral reserve, created in 1865. A great place to explore and get active. Plenty of opportunities to fill up your bottle with mineral water from the many pumps.
Location: Mineral Springs Cr, Hepburn Springs
Facilities: Picnic tables, electric BBQs, playground, covered area, toilets, mineral springs
Free Camping
Mount Franklin (Lalgambuk)
12 minutes north of Daylesford on the Midland Highway towards Castlemaine.
Known as Lalgambook by the Dja Dja Wurrung people, Mount Franklin is a small volcanic crater that offers an ideal place for a picnic or basic camping set amongst huge conifers and deciduous trees. Mount Franklin is a fine example of a breached scoria cone. The breach, through which the road now enters the crater, is thought to have been caused by a flow of lava breaking through the crater rim. Lava from Mount Franklin and other volcanoes in the area filled valleys and buried the goldbearing streams that became the renowned 'deep leads' of the gold mining era.
You can camp for short stays at Mount Franklin which is also suitable for caravans and motor homes on a first-come first-served basis. No fees apply. Toilets, fireplaces and washing water are provided - water is not suitable for drinking. The site is managed by Parks Victoria.
Observe fire restrictions and DO NOT light barbecues on days of Total Fire Ban.
Please note Mount Franklin is the ONLY site within the immediate area of Daylesford/Hepburn where camping is permitted outside of caravan parks and retreats. Fines apply to those illegally camping in Wombat State Forest.
Holiday Parks
Daylesford Holiday Park
Victoria Park 3021 Ballan-Daylesford Rd, Daylesford
Phone: (03) 5348 3821
A spacious, tranquil holiday park surrounded by trees. Short walk to Lake Daylesford and the centre of town. Vans and cabins available as well as powered and unpowered sites. Daylesford Holiday Park also offers glamping. where you can relax bohemian-style in one of three luxuriously appointed belle style tents.
Jubilee Lake Holiday Park
Jubilee Lake 151 Lake Rd, Daylesford
Phone: (03) 5348 2186
Overlooking beautiful Lake Jubilee, 2.5km from Daylesford centre. Vans and cabins available as well as powered and unpowered sites.
