Lake House & Dairy Flat Lodge

Experiences

Along with beautiful natural surrounds, plentiful mineral springs, and signature spa rituals; food and wine are consuming passions in Daylesford. There’s a plethora of experiences to ‘meet the makers’ be they be brewers, winemakers, smallgoods producers or even beekeepers. See what to do when at Lake House

The owner and culinary director of Lake House, Alla Wolf-Tasker AM is credited with the establishment and growth of Daylesford and surrounds as a premier food and wine destination.

The region was awarded Best Food Region in the Delicious Magazine Australian Produce Awards and hosts culinary travellers from all over the world.

There is a burgeoning local food culture here with regular farmer’s markets throughout the region and signs down every country lane, offering farm gate sales of organic or biodynamically grown berries, fruit and vegetables, chestnuts, honey and free-range eggs.

In fact, much of this award-winning produce and wines will be found on top tables around Australia and the world, but it is only here that guests are likely to rub shoulders with some of these producers. Sitting in the café or wine bar at that next table could be one of Australia’s foremost wagyu producers, one of the top food writers in Australia, the originator of the permaculture concept or the maker of one of Australia’s most lauded pinot noirs. Meeting the locals is all part of the rich experience of the Daylesford region.

Dive into a tour of the regenerative farm gardens, suit up for a bee keeping class or learn first principals of slow fermentation and sourdough baking at Dairy Flat Farm. In season, guests can join classes in preserves and pickles, foraging, truffle hunting and more.

The local region, justifiably referred to as Australia’s ‘Spa Country’ boasts the largest concentration of natural mineral springs in Australia as well as the largest number of holistic therapists.

Wellness is a way of life here, with an incredible variety of therapeutic and holistic therapies on offer.

Start with fresh, clean air in abundance and the beautiful natural surrounds of the Wombat State Forest. Forest bathing or deep forest meditation and in fact actual bathing in the region’s waterholes is a popular pastime in the warmer months. A walk along the creek beds and the lake’s edge will allow easy access to several springs which all hold varied mineral contents and benefits for the body.

Of course, bathing in 100% pure mineral water is one of the best ways to absorb the rich mineral content, an activity popular in The Spa at Lake House, especially prior to a therapeutic massage or signature treatment.

Farm to Spa has taken on new meaning since Dairy Flat Farm started to focus on specific herbs and flowers for advanced botanic treatments. Wild bush rose, bush iris, chamomile, lemon verbena, peppermint, lavender, rose geranium, echinacea, comfrey and more are all grown to compliment signature rituals for guests onsite under the Daylesford Pure label. No added chemicals or fillers, this is natural botanical skincare only found in Daylesford.

Other modalities and opportunities to explore the more spiritual path in and around the village include tai chi, martial arts, equine therapy, tarot and reiki healing, spinal energetics, mindful meditation and more.