5 star Daylesford hotels

Daylesford is a village in the heart of Victoria's spa country. A stone's throw from Melbourne, it has long been a premier spa and rejuvenation centre.

With a population of just 3000, Daylesford's numbers swell as visitors flock to discover its gourmet local produce, Victorian-era heritage, mineral springs and spas.

Early Swiss-Italian and other immigrants who settled in Daylesford during and after the region's gold rush greatly influenced the gardens and architecture, giving the town a European feel. Today, visitors come to sample the rejuvenating mineral waters, stay in luxury accommodation, explore craft and antique shops, go boating on the lake, or just relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the fine dining.

Daylesford supports a busy community of respected health and wellbeing practitioners who offer an array of natural therapy, holistic health and beauty treatments. Choose your therapy and indulge for an hour, a day or perhaps an entire weekend. Have the treatment come to you or relax in your chosen retreat.

Visit the award-winning Convent Gallery and pick up high quality local art and craft, take the Tipperary Walking Track and explore Hepburn Regional Park. Enjoy fine dining at the famous Lake House Restaurant or one of the other quality restaurants and cafés. Take the whole family and travel through the Wombat State Forest on the vintage railway that operates from Daylesford Station on Sundays.

Time your visit for the Regional Producers' Day in Daylesford each February, which showcases delicious local produce, or lose yourself in the larger-than-life pageant that is Chillout, the largest gay and lesbian event in regional Australia.

Daylesford is 108 kilometres north-west of Melbourne or about 90 minutes' drive on the Western Freeway or the Calder Freeway. V/Line operates regular, scheduled coach services to Daylesford.