Day-tripping: Melbourne to Hepburn Springs

Day-tripping
Melbourne to Hepburn Springs

If you live the inner-city life, particularly with kids, there’s nothing better than heading to the country. And a day trip makes it easy – minimal packing.

It’s time to unplug and unwind.

Today, we’re heading to Shepherds Flat, around 135kms west of Melbourne.

We’re taking our Ford Kuga on the scenic route via Trentham, so our round trip is about 260km all up. But it’s easy driving and doable in one day.

Head west on the M8, taking the C318 towards Greendale, Blackwood. This route offers you some excellent roads and beautiful scenery as you head through the Wombat State Forest – its complex network of tracks makes it a popular spot for dirt bikes, four-wheel-drive enthusiasts and bush-walkers.

We’re sticking to sealed roads, but the sure-footed AWD Kuga is more than capable of handling some of the dirt roads in this region.

Smart modern all-wheel drive systems deliver benefits in roadholding on and off sealed surfaces. Unlike old 4x4s there’s little if any penalty to pay in terms of real world fuel economy. And if you’re a regular beach or snow goer you’ll enjoy the extra amenity ‘all-paw’ wagons like the Kuga deliver.

We’re stopping for morning tea in Trentham, just over 100km out of Melbourne.

Originally a thriving gold town, Trentham has blossomed as a chic country town offering excellent food (The Cosmopolitan Hotel, The Plough), an abundance of chic country accommodation and a long list of things to do and see.

Down an unassuming laneway, you’ll find the RedBeard Bakery, its origins dating back to 1891. It’s still a bakery and now thriving café, still using the original Scotch oven. If you fancy yourself a bit of a baker, most Sundays you can take part in a bread-making workshop, but be sure to book.

As you exit Trentham bound for Shepherds Flat, you’ll see the signs to Trentham Falls – go there. Take five or 50 minutes to enjoy the view. You can’t get to the bottom of the falls, but it’s worth taking the short and very easy walk to the viewing platform (good surface and safe for kids) – the view is incredible.

From here, it’s a leisurely 32km to Shepherds Flat and our lunch destination, Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm. A lavender farm, restaurant, gift shop and more awaits.

Set within Lavandula’s European-style gardens is the original 1850s stone farmhouse. The seasonal menu at La Trattoria within the farmhouse uses fresh produce grown on site. Pull up a bench seat beneath the ash trees and enjoy the sprawling gardens, or cosy up inside the café itself.

The farm’s lavender is used in home and body products as well as fresh produce – all sold in the on-site gift shop.

Whether you’re planning a romantic lunch or a more raucous family affair, as was our case, Lavandula’s welcoming staff will make you feel right at home. It’s perfect.

From here, you can take the more direct route back to Melbourne via the C141, passing through Daylesford on your way.

Resisting the town of Daylesford however – the food, the lake, the laid-back life - is a problem in itself... Fortunately, it’s the kind of problem an overnight bag would easily fix.

Fast facts
The trip – Melbourne to Shepherds Flat
Distance – 260km round trip
Top 3 – RedBeard Bakery, Trentham Falls, Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm
Top Eat – La Trattoria at Lavandula, Larder Daylesford
Top Tip – skip breakfast and graze, all day long!

Quick links:
RedBeard Bakery
Cosmopolitan Hotel
La Trattoria at Lavandula
Larder Daylesford
Handy car tech for your next road trip

Check out more in our series of one-day escapes
Hobart: surprises south from the Apple Isle's capital
Perth: beer, bread and a hint of the good life
Sydney: head to Avalon. Now!
Adelaide: grapes and more in McLaren Vale
Brisbane: dream of a different world and head for the hills