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
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.
Known as “Spa Country”, the rolling hills and 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. The Dja Dja Wurrung people were part of established trade networks which allowed goods such as food and medicines and information to carry over substantial distances. 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 breathtaking scenery, with a strong regional food and wine culture, a myriad of historical wonders and beautiful 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 town 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.
Walking tracks through the forest alongside rivers, lakes and waterfalls yield frequent encounters with an abundance of Australian wildlife including kookaburras, wallabies and koalas.
This fertile agricultural region is home to many acclaimed artisan food and wine producers. The village of Daylesford itself is an eclectic mix of cafes, quaint stores and galleries.
The village is surrounded almost on all sides by the flora and fauna-rich Wombat State Forest. Only a few minutes away from the hub of cafes and good bookstores of the main street, wallabies and wombats populate the pristine bush environment and kookaburras and cockatoos fly overhead.
Country roads are peppered with farm gates, roadside stalls featuring seasonal windfalls, cellar doors and much more.
There are also weekly farmers markets in Daylesford and an annual Harvest Festival which celebrates the region’s bounty as well as its food and wine experts. Classes in permaculture, beekeeping, fermentation, foraging, baking and butchery sell out months in advance and are a testament to the quality of education and experiences available here.
Regionality is important here. In Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges guests may dine simply or lavishly, cheaply or expensively, but they will dine on food straight from the farms and on wine from the vineyards they can see.
Lake House 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.