- Pricing From $6,995
- Single Supplement FREE*
- From Melbourne
- Duration 5 Days
- Max Group Size 15
- Activity Level Easy Going
- Departs 21 July 2025
- Returns 25 July 2025
Bill Peach Journeys invites you to join us in spectacular Daylesford and beyond for our 2025 Yuletide celebrations. Spend 4 nights at the tranquil award-winning Lake House overlooking Lake Daylesford enjoying the lush landscapes and natural springs which exude the welcoming ambiance for which this unique property is renowned. A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, the elegant Lake House is Australia’s most awarded culinary retreat. The Lake House’s Two Chefs Hat Restaurant is recognised worldwide as one of Australia’s best restaurants, a fitting location for our Yuletide feast!
Visit the picturesque towns of Hepburn Springs and Daylesford, havens for artists and acclaimed for their restorative healing waters. Discover the history of the region while exploring the fascinating Gold Rush towns of Bendigo and Castlemaine. Immerse yourself in yesteryear as we marvel at the heritage of these two historical towns reminiscent of their grand and gracious past. This five day Sojourn is a truly unique insight into the landscapes and picturesque countryside of this enchanting corner of Victoria as we discover the charm of these breathtaking regions while celebrating Christmas in July with new friends. How can you resist?
Highlights
- Spend 4 nights at the multi-award-winning Lake House in Daylesford, a Luxury Lodge of Australia
- Visit picturesque Hepburn Springs, Australia’s largest mineral springs, and tour breathtaking Daylesford
- Unearth the treasures of the Buda House & Gardens in Castlemaine, an authentic goldfields villa house
- Discover the charm and history of the Gold Rush era town of Bendigo, including the Central Deborah Gold Mine and riding on the famous talking tram
- Uncover the riches of the award-winning Convent acclaimed as the ‘most beautiful gallery in Australia’ delightfully nestled Nestled on the crest of Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens
- Enjoy exceptional regional cuisine at the two-hatted Lake House Restaurant and famed Sault
- All meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner including a festive Christmas in July feast
- Spend Yuletide with new friends enjoying your own room with a reduced single supplement charge*
- Escorted throughout by a dedicated Journey Director
Tour Departures
Hotels
Bill Peach Journeys understands the importance of selecting the right accommodation to complement each journey. In this case, an exceptional property has been chosen to showcase the incredible destinations visited throughout this journey.
Lake House is a member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia; nestled on six acres of country gardens that extend to the lake’s edge. The property is most famous for its acclaimed restaurant, consistently rated as one of Australia’s best, holding 2 Chefs Hats from the Good Food Guide and listed amongst Gourmet Traveller’s top destination restaurants.
Choose to experience an elegant hotel-style stay at Lake House with day spa and world class restaurant on your doorstep. Just a few minutes’ walk to the village of Daylesford and immediate access to the lake shore.
At Lake House, the accommodation cascades amongst 6 acres of country gardens to the lake shore. Spaces are individually furnished, full of art & soul, with original canvases by the late and highly regarded artist Allan Wolf-Tasker, as well as those of other artists from this culturally rich region.
Lake House is indeed a destination for travellers wanting to rest, indulge, rejuvenate, revitalise, reconnect and indeed be pampered.
Lake House Daylesford
There is no equal to the elegance and sophistication of Lake House Daylesford, ideally located in the charming town of Daylesford in Spa Country.
This morning you will meet at a designated departure point at Melbourne Airport. After morning tea the group will depart for Daylesford in Victoria’s Spa Country. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Daylesford boasts the highest concentration of mineral springs in the country. The natural beauty of the area and its period character have drawn a widening artistic community and many visitors to the area. Following a delightful regional lunch, tour the award-winning Convent at Daylesford where contemporary and traditional art is housed in a Victorian-style, 19th-century former convent. Nestled on the crest of Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, The Convent boasts expansive views of the countryside and township below. A feast for the senses, the gallery has been described as ‘the most beautiful gallery in Australia’.
Arrive this afternoon at the Lake House, your boutique luxury accommodation for the next four nights. The property is set on six acres of abundant and fruitful gardens that extend down to the waters of Lake Daylesford and provide guests with immediate access to the lake shore and the Wombat State Forest beyond. Tonight’s Welcome Dinner, which is hosted by your Journey Director, is at the Lake House’s famed two-hatted restaurant, an icon in regional dining.
Overnight: Lake House Daylesford
This morning we tour the delightful town of Daylesford, which boasts the highest concentration of mineral springs in the country. Sitting at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, nearby Hepburn Springs boasts Australia’s first mineral reserve – The Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve, established in 1865. The mineral waters here are known for their therapeutic benefits, rich in minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sulphur and we will sample the different flavours of the water from the mineral springs.
Given that this is the region that takes indulgence to another level, it is only right that we enjoy local produce at the acclaimed Daylesford Cider for lunch and the Chocolate Mill, which produces divine European style chocolates.
Overnight: Lake House Daylesford
This morning, transfer to Castlemaine where we visit the charming Buda House & Gardens, an authentic goldfields villa house. Walking through the historic house and heritage garden, you will be transported to another era. Continue on to the impressive small city of Bendigo, which has one of the finest collections of Victorian buildings of any inland city in Australia. The streets are literally awash with huge granite edifices and, in the centre of the city. Tour the Central Deborah Gold Mine for a historical look at Victoria’s gold rush years before riding on the talking tram, which runs through the heart of the city. Tonight, your Journey Director invites you to a festive Yuletide dinner at the Two Chef Hat Lake House.
Overnight: Lake House Daylesford
Today we visit Dairy Flat Farm, which is set on 40 picturesque acres surrounded by rolling hills, the Wombat Forest and productive farmlands. Dairy Flat is a regenerative farm following organic practices, including a productive herb & vegetable garden that supplies the multi award-winning Lake House kitchens. Enjoy a Sourdough Baking Class then tour the farm while your creations bake. The afternoon is at leisure before our exceptional Farewell Dinner at the beautiful and acclaimed Sault property where we will enjoy a meal of fabulous fresh and regional produce.
Overnight: Lake House Daylesford
Transfer to Melbourne Airport or city. Saying a fond farewell to new friends, we take away memories of a delightful Victorian Sojourn.
About Sojourns
Our Sojourn programmes are short break journeys put together in conjunction with themes, events or experiences. These programmes range from cruising New Zealand’s North Islands to world-class sporting events and unique experiences throughout Australia and New Zealand.
About Single Traveller Journeys
We recognise the specific requirements of single travellers and that’s why a number of our journeys are single supplement free, affording you the benefit of your own single room, without any, or with significantly reduced extra cost. In fact, over 40% of our guests travel alone and return to Bill Peach Journeys again and again. In this way, you can enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow travellers during the day, along with the safety and security of travelling with an escorted group, but still retire to your own personal room in the evening. Note: The single supplement free offer cannot be taken in conjunction with any other offer.
Fully inclusive
This journey includes accommodation, all meals as specified, touring throughout, transfers, services of a dedicated Journey Director.
Coaches
The coaches that we use for the ground component of this journey are fully air-conditioned.
Pre Tour
Flights from your home port to Melbourne are not included in the journey price. Should you require flights to and from Melbourne, we can provide a competitive quote on airfares and pre and post tour accommodation in Melbourne, at the commencement and conclusion of your journey.
Level of Fitness Required – Easy Going
These journeys are not physically demanding unless you want them to be. They include easy guided walks, which are mainly on flat ground. There will be times when you are required to board a launch for shore excursions. You must be able to walk up to 500 metres unaided and will not need any foreseen assistance throughout the journey. For all clients to fully enjoy this travel experience, excellent health and mobility is required by all.
We strongly urge you to consider the fitness rating before selecting your preferred journey, in respect for your fellow travellers. Bill Peach Journeys reserves the right to refuse travel to any client whose fitness level is below the recommended rating.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to cover you against such things as personal illness or accident, cancellation, loss of baggage etc. Please make sure you carry a copy of your Travel Insurance policy with you at all times.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to the T&C’s for more information. Terms & Conditions (PDF
*Conditions Apply: The Early Bird & Single Supplement Free offers are limited, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and are valid if booked & paid by 30th April, 2025. Please contact Bill Peach Journeys or your local travel agent for assistance with airfares.