HOSTED ACCOMMODATION HESKET

Located only 45 minutes from Melbourne, Braeside Mt Macedon Country Retreat is located in the foothills of Mt Macedon on 27 acres of hillside bushland with a large and picturesque English-style garden. An escape from the city heat in the summer months, wood fires and bracing walks in winter, and the glory of autumn and spring - Braeside Mt Macedon Country Retreat is an all-season delight. Ideal for a romantic getaway or exploring the beautiful Macedon Ranges, do as little or as much as you like. Lie in, read a book by the fire, catch up on a DVD or venture out to explore the local villages, gardens and nurseries, have a picnic at Hanging Rock or visit one of the wineries in the region. Braeside Mt Macedon is home to abundant wildlife with kangaroos, parrots, ducks, rabbits and many native birds amongst the daily visitors. Three comfortable self-contained cottages are dotted throughout the gardens. Complimentary breakfast hampers include free range eggs, locally cured bacon, freshly baked bread, homemade granola, yoghurt, homemade jam, fresh juice, tea and coffee....

Why not get out of the house and celebrate over 125 years of Racing at the Rock by spending Australia Day at one of the most iconic venues in Australia - Hanging Rock. Come and enjoy the best Country Racing has to offer with a great day at the Rock which is located within the beautiful Macedon Ranges. You would struggle to find a more unique environment to enjoy a day at the races with family, friends or work colleagues. There is a range of activities available with kids activities, live music, food stalls, big screen on site to view all the local and metro racing and much more. The Rock is only an hour's drive from Melbourne's CBD, Bendigo, Seymour and Ballarat or you can catch VLine to Woodend Station to be met by shuttle buses to the race course and then back again to the station. Please note that the Liquor Licence does not permit alcohol to be brought on to the racecourse. Beach umbrellas and shade structures not permitted within the racecourse for safety reasons....

Located in the Macedon Ranges region, Sunnyside Cottage provides a haven of serenity and peace for those that wish to experience the beautiful countryside. Sunnyside Cottage is a fully restored Settler's Cottage situated on the working farm of Lemah Park, a beef cattle farm of some 600 acres. The spacious one bedroom cottage is offered for accommodation, bed and breakfast (provisions provided), or self-catered longer stays. The cottage is available for couples that want to enjoy the views and tranquillity of the countryside or explore the numerous local wineries, eateries, climb the mystical Hanging Rock. Popular with cyclists and walkers or those that just want to sit back with a wine and at those cooler times enjoy the fire and the magnificent views down over the valley. The spacious cottage is suited to couples, being only one bedroom, but can accommodate two couples with a large comfortable sofa bed in the lounge. Sunnyside Cottage offers everything needed for that special stay, with quality linen, luxurious bath robes, fluffy bath sheets and toiletries. You will find a fully equipped kitchen, collections of books and DVDs and games are provided for those that would prefer to chill out...

The Ard Choille Heritage Garden is both botanically and historically one of the best of the renowned Mt Macedon gardens, which as a group represent one of the most important and significant collections of Nineteenth Century gardens in Australia. Ard Choille is unusual in the context of Mount Macedon gardens for its siting on the Northern, rather than the Southern slopes of Mt Macedon. Ard Choille, was described by the National Trust of Victoria as one of the 12 outstanding gardens of Mt Macedon, and amongst these select gardens Ard Choille is especially noted as being of exceptional interest. Ard Choille captures the feel of a gracious and inspirational 19th century garden and has taken full advantage of the unique cool climate with a huge array of exotic trees and shrubs. What you can expect to see in a stroll through its majesty are Birches, Beeches, Elms, Oaks, Firs, Lindens, Rowans, Dogwoods, Conifers and numerous tree ferns. There are also masses of rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas and thousands of daffodil bulbs . The garden includes a rare 19th Century metal shade house, which is individually classified by the National Trust and is still used today. Please note, bookings are essential....

For over 100 years Melburnians have been escaping the summer heat amid the glorious gardens and old-world mansions of Mount Macedon, originally known as Geburrh in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. Mount Macedon is best known for its lookout adorned with a memorial cross to commemorate those who served in the world wars. The spectacular vistas of Melbourne and beyond are just reward for a strenuous hike to the summit. Visit the cross on ANZAC Day to take part in one of the country's most moving dawn services. Take the long walk up to Camels Hump, a rocky outcrop formed by a small steep-sided volcano, which is the highest point in the Macedon Ranges. Look out across to Hanging Rock and the northern rural landscape from the top. However, public parks and reserves won't disappoint, with manicured gardens accompanying the town's more rugged environs. Smell the roses at the historic State Nursery at Macedon and take the Forest Eco-Tourism Walking Trail at Sanatorium Lake. Macedon Regional Park offers up panoramic views, scenic drives, picnic facilities, walking trails, cultural and historic sites of interest and a diversity of flora and fauna. Some of the area's most immaculately preserved gardens are private, so time your visit for regular Open Gardens Scheme open days for the chance to peek behind fences. Discover why Mount Macedon has long been considered a foodie destination. Pick up fresh produce from farm gates and local providores, and meet winemakers and taste wines at cellar doors, including Hanging Rock (be sure to sample the iconic Macedon Cuvee), Curly Flat, Cobaw Ridge, Bindi and Granite Hills. Bring your bike and ride through Macedon Regional Park or time your trip to coincide with November's Mt Macedon Challenge, an annual highlight. Mount Macedon is 65 kilometres from Melbourne and less than an hour's drive on the Calder Freeway....

The Gallery Mt Macedon is an arts collective of local artists showing paintings, ceramics, textiles, wood, photography, glass, origami and jewellery. In addition to original art works and focus exhibitions bimonthly, the gallery offers special events, artists at work at Woodend Winter Arts Festival and unique Wearables parade in Spring. The gallery represents a creative gem in the hub of Mt Macedon Village. Members encourage visitors and bus groups....

The Macedon Ranges form the southern end of Victoria's Great Dividing Range and feature a diverse range of natural and cultural features. The 2,379 hectare park protects forested land along the ridge of the range and offers great opportunities for bushwalking, scenic drives and picnics. Mount Macedon is one of the highest peaks in the range and you can enjoy magnificent views from the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross and the Camels Hump viewing platforms. Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe....

Located in the Macedon Ranges region, Sunnyside Cottage provides a haven of serenity and peace for those that wish to experience the beautiful countryside. Sunnyside Cottage is a fully restored Settler's Cottage situated on the working farm of Lemah Park, a beef cattle farm of some 600 acres. The spacious one bedroom cottage is offered for accommodation, bed and breakfast (provisions provided), or self-catered longer stays. The cottage is available for couples that want to enjoy the views and tranquillity of the countryside or explore the numerous local wineries, eateries, climb the mystical Hanging Rock. Popular with cyclists and walkers or those that just want to sit back with a wine and at those cooler times enjoy the fire and the magnificent views down over the valley. The spacious cottage is suited to couples, being only one bedroom, but can accommodate two couples with a large comfortable sofa bed in the lounge. Sunnyside Cottage offers everything needed for that special stay, with quality linen, luxurious bath robes, fluffy bath sheets and toiletries. You will find a fully equipped kitchen, collections of books and DVDs and games are provided for those that would prefer to chill out....