Located an hour’s drive from Melbourne Airport or 90 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, Lake House lies on the shores of Lake Daylesford, in the heart of Victoria’s spa country.
Lake House & Dairy Flat Lodge
Destination
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Dja Dja Wurrung people, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which Lake House stands. In sharing elements of their history, heritage and culture we acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation and their connections to Country.
A mecca for generations of artists drawn by the region’s luscious light, locations and seasonal ambience, Daylesford continues to attract many well known contemporary artists and craftspeople.
In a region known as “Spa Country”, the rolling volcanic plains and fertile farmland of Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges are home to the greatest concentration of naturally occurring mineral springs in Australia.
For thousands of years, First Nations Australians have known the healing powers of this natural landscape. In the 1950s it was a popular destination to “take the waters”. Today the region boasts the largest concentration of holistic therapists in the southern hemisphere. Whatever the latest in natural therapies, it is already here and probably being practiced by the very best.
Surrounded by the Wombat State Forest, it is a place of beautiful scenery, a myriad of historical wonders and charming country villages to explore. Lake Daylesford was created in 1929 and covers land upon which gold was first discovered.
A short walk east of the village centre leads to the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, established in 1863. Situated on an extinct volcano, the gardens offer tranquil views over the town and surrounding countryside from sunrise to sunset.
Hikers navigate trails through the forest along creek beds, siting old gold rush camps, waterfalls and extinct volcanos such as Mount Franklin.
Daylesford itself is a charming village full of beautiful boutiques, shops, cafes and wine bars.
There are bookshops, open studios as well as larger galleries. Here guests will find works by world class painters, ceramicists, sculptors, and photographers.
The surrounding agricultural region is home to many acclaimed artisan food and wine producers, many of them following organic and biodynamic principles including Lake House’s own Dairy Flat Farm & Bake House. Pesticide-free vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit, open range farms, rare breed pigs, cattle (including one of the best Wagyu farms in Australia) and lamb. In season there are truffles, morels and wild mushrooms.
Country roads are peppered with farm gates, roadside stalls featuring seasonal windfalls, cellar doors and much more. Every weekend there is a market at the old Railway Station where you can meet many of the makers, farmers, and producers.
Classes in permaculture, beekeeping, fermentation, foraging, baking and butchery sell out months in advance and are a testament to the quality of education and distinctive experiences available here.
Lake House & Dairy Flat Lodge THROUGH THE SEASONS
DECEMBER – FEBRUARY
Summer
Summers are mild and sunny and Daylesford’s daily temperatures usually hover a couple of degrees below Melbourne’s daily temperature. The picturesque village of Daylesford, an easy walk or cycle from Lake House, offers the opportunity to explore interesting local shops, galleries and markets.
MARCH – MAY
Autumn
The Daylesford region experiences brilliant seasonal changes. A glorious time to witness the autumnal colours reflecting on Lake Daylesford as daytime temperatures drop and nights are brisk. In autumn, peak harvest season sees an abundance of food and wine activity on the doorstep of Lake House. You’ll find vintage celebrations at neighbouring wineries, in-house cooking classes and local farmers markets.
JUNE – AUGUST
Winter
The winter temperatures in Daylesford dip with a daytime average of 13°C and overnight minimum of 4°C. It is not uncommon for light snow to blanket parts of the region. Explore the region and its eclectic mix of artists’ studios, cafes, galleries and interesting shops or retreat to the warmth of Lake House with its highly acclaimed restaurant, wine cellar tastings, cooking classes and award-winning spa, all available onsite.
SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
Spring
A beautiful time of year in Daylesford as the colours change and temperatures warm up. The season of abundance for local produce at Lake House. With the kitchen philosophy of working from the ground up and with the freshest seasonal produce means that travellers get a real sense of the best Australian produce on the plate. Late in the spring, the region’s acclaimed and award-winning gardens are in full bloom.
Getting there
OUR LITTLE WHITE BOOK
The Luxury Lodges of Australia brochure has become a treasured and widely recognisable ‘go to’ for Australian experiential luxury, enjoyed both online and in printed form at our lodges. The brochure is available to view or download in eight languages below.