Get the gang together and take this self-driving route through the historic villages and rolling hillsides of country Victoria.

Indulge in the freshest regional produce and meet the makers producing wine and beer that’s distinctly Ballarat. Set against the scenic backdrop of historic streetscapes and picturesque volcanic lands, this is a foodie’s road trip you’ll only find in the Victorian goldfields.

Fuel up with a morning coffee

Fuelling yourself up for the drive is just as important as fuelling up your car for the day, so before you hit the road stop at Fika Coffee Brewers or Webster’s Market and Café for your morning brew.

Start the day off with a refreshing stroll along the La Gerche Forest Walk

This one-hour loop is the quickest way to explore the Creswick Regional Park, and its ease means you’ll leave feeling fresher than you arrived. Wander 100-year-old trees and follow the signs along the way to reveal the story of Creswick’s first forest bailiff – John La Gerche.

Grab a pastry to-go from Le Peche Gourmand

You’ve no doubt worked up a hunger, and we’ve got the perfect place to send you to quash those cravings. A couple of minutes’ drive into the main street of Creswick and you’ll discover Le Peche Gourmand, a French bakery-pastry shop with macarons, nougat and a classic Mille-Feulle on the menu. Yes, they serve coffee too if you’re ready for another.

Fish for lunch at Tuki Trout Farm

From Creswick, Tuki Trout Farm is a short 20-minute drive north. So, don’t fill up on too many sweets because it’s here we highly recommend you stopping for lunch.
Have a laugh while you attempt to catch a rainbow trout (we promise you’ll catch one) and then let the chefs freshly bake your trout which will be served bone-free with crushed green peppercorn dressing, roast potatoes and locally baked bread.

Sip on organic wine at Captains Creek cellar door

Warm up by the fire in the winery’s 100-year-old workers’ hut which has been lovingly transformed over time into a cellar door for travelling wine lovers.
Four generations of the May family have been working this farm for more than a century, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself talking with Doug or Carolyn about their journey of transition into an organic farm and winery.

HOT TIP: You can stay the night at the Bundaleer Farmhouse, just a short 100m stroll from the Captains Creek Winery or at the nearby very cosy Anarres village of tiny eco cabins.

Check out one of Australia’s smallest brewhouses

Blink and you’ll miss it, so keep an eye peeled for Bank House Brewery, a roadside microbrewery in the small country town of Dean.
Local beer hobbyist-turned-brewer Damien Normal is new to the commercial brewing scene and currently produces two beers – a session ale and ginger beer – from an old bank building on his property.
With malt sourced from Ballarat’s House of Malt, and hop from neighbouring AC Hops, this is as local as it gets.

There’s less than two hours of driving time required for this route, so take your time and make the most of your day out in regional Victoria.