Local Knowledge

Taxis

The Daylesford Taxi Service (+61 (0)3 5348 1111) drops visitors and locals off at restaurants and pubs and ferries them back again. There are only a few cars so book if you need to be somewhere at a specific time, particularly on the weekend.

Tipping culture

As in all parts of Australia, tips aren’t expected, although if you’re particularly impressed by a meal and service a 10 per cent gratuity is appreciated. Round up taxi fares to the nearest dollar.

Siesta and fiesta

This is a town that revolves around visitors, so shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants are open on the weekend but may close Monday and Tuesday, so it’s best to check beforehand. People tend to eat quite early here, and most kitchens will take last orders no later than 10pm.

Packing tips

A wicker basket for all that fresh food; bathers and kaftan – there’s no beach but plenty of communal bathing at the spas.

Recommended reads

Sure, Lake House is a cookbook, but it’s more than that. If you’re interested in how chef Alla Wolf-Tasker transformed a patch of dirt into one of the country’s most inspiring restaurants and hotels, and in the process gave the Daylesford area a new locavore fervour, you’ll love this lavishly illustrated tome.

Cuisine

Daylesford is one of Victoria’s premier wining and dining destinations. Over the past 30 years, lead by chef Alla-Wolf Tasker – who dreamed of using local produce at her restaurant – a slew of mainly city folk have begun farming small plots here with specialist crops. You’ll find organic and heirloom fruit and vegetables, free-range pork, cheeses, honey, olives, wagyu beef and venison, among other gourmet goodness. The region also has a growing cool-climate winemaking industry. For information visit the Daylesford Macedon Produce website (www.dmproduce.com.au).

Currency

Australian dollar (AU$).

Time zone

GMT +10.

Dialling codes

Country code: +61; Victoria: (0)3 (drop the zero if dialling from outside Australia).

Do go/don't go

In summer January and February can be very hot in this region, and winter months June and July can be extremely cold (a boon for those who like cuddling in front of open fires). The population of the town explodes on the weekend, particularly on sublimely sunny days, when Melburnians escape the ratrace to attend the massive Daylesford Sunday Market and enjoy the country air. If you like things quieter, visit during the week (but be aware that some businesses close on Monday and Tuesday).