Diary 

Sunday 25 February

Metcalfe Recreational Reserve (just off Kyneton-Metcalfe Road)

11am – 5.30pm Metcalfe Music Bash  Metcalfe is in an idyllic corner of the Shire a half-hour south-east of Maldon. It has less than 200 residents, all intent on having a good time, so go join them. The lBash has eight bands, tractor pull, wood chopping, all kids’ fun stuff,  food, wine and sheaf seating, so bring a rug. There’s classic cars and motorbike displays, dancing and crafts. Entry $10 adults - and wear your new hat if it’s hot.

Long weekend 

Saturday 9 March 

Racecourse Reserve cnr Lewis and Bendigo Rds.  Saturday and Sunday
6.30 am start both days for the Maldon Campdraft. Tricia James says everyone is welcome to come and watch the action and a $2 donation would be appreciated to assist with building up first aid supplies. Tin on the right hand side on the gate as you drive in.

Going to Queensland to see a rodeo? Well, you can get the thrill of the chase right here with Maldon’s Campdraft - just a little more competent than those cowboys. Campdrafting is a unique Australian sport where a horse person enters a camp (corral or yard) with herded cattle. The rider cuts out an animal, and then blocks and turns it to demonstrate control. The animal is next drafted (worked) around a figure eight course to show the rider’s skill. The heats for the various competition and the finals take two days even with restricted competitor numbers, and the riders have less than a minute to complete each task – it’s fast. There’s no harm to the cattle of course – your vocal cords, maybe.

Thursday 14 March 

Baringhup Hall, 39 Alfred St Baringhup.
7pm. Festival of Small Halls: Svavar Knútur (from Iceland) and The Maes performing 
Good things come in small parcels, and you can’t get much smaller than Baringhup. The night’s entertainment is enhanced with a bar personned by the equally mighty Shedshaker Brewery, so you can sing along unafraid for your whistle not being whet. Tickets $35, $25 or $5. Follow the links at the address is too long long https://festivalofsmallhalls.com/current-tours/ Or pay at the door.

Story - An hour in Maldon

Maldon’s attractions, like the town, are small, subtle, sweet and sometimes steep. Standing in the centre at View Point, you have the choice of circumnavigating  Main, Francis and High Streets. That can be extended to the Beehive Chimney along the Maldon Trail, or dropping into the Maldon and District Museum on High St. After browsing the shops and partaking of a Bakery pie, here’s three walks around the mine sites. You can read up on the buildings with a map from the Visitor Centre in Francis St or by downloading the Museum app at tours.maldonmuseum.com.au

The Visitors Centre (Maldon Gardens, Franci St.) has printed maps of three walks at an hour each. One is from View Point south down High St and  up Gray St to Anzac Hill. Skidding down the Maldon Track into Spring St is not for the fainthearted, but the view’s great if you prefer to drive up.  

The other walks start from the Beehive chimney.

The first, north, takes you through the Diggings and the railway station and yards along the Alliance mine workings to the Maldon Battery, where diggers would pay to get their quartz crushed. From there, you continue north the Eagle Hawk, and the ultra-rich Nuggetty range, climbing up to see the Union Jill Mine lookout - it's still in operation, you can't visit. You also pass by Fairbank House on the way, see arrow  on map. Pic of Union Hill mine and buildings. The southern adit is hidden, that opening is the Nuggetty's end. .

The scenic route to the south is best entered and exited from Phoenix St, the Tobin Street entrance is too eroded.  Pick up the Parks trail alongside the Maldon Machinery Museum at the Vincents Rd corner, or the car park a few metres along Phoenix St. Follow the trail through the Camp’s carpark to return to your car.
The view from the top of Derby Hill is more than 180 deg but looks like a straight line in a photo - like the sea. This is South German Dam - where the mine's water was kept - ruins alongside.

If you want to go further afield, take a half-day tour from the list at https://fairbankhouse.com.au/index.php/half-days-wanders. They're either goldfields related or there's an uptodate Arts Silo version as well. They are being added to all the time. 

Due diligence
Free wifi connection within 25m of Maldon post office’s (95 High St) phone booth Anyone can then download the Telstra app and connect to the internet.

Maldon Visitors Information Centre, 93 High St (next to Maldon Gardens)
Open 9am to 5 pm every day. Tel 03 5474 2569
Maldon Market, cnr Church and Franklin Sts. 9.30am – 1.30pm 2^nd Sunday of month 10 March)
Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum in Vincent's Road, open Wednesdays, 11am to 3pm, all Saturdays and 2^nd Sunday of month, 10am to 4pm. 
Maldon and District Museum, Maldon gardens, 93 High St.
Open every Wednesday and Sunday from 11am to 2.30pm. Self-informed walking tours at https://tours.maldonmuseum.com.au/ Contact on (03) 5475 1633
Maldon Bicycles 8 High St. For bike hire inquiries contact Glen on 0499 876 594 or email ballingerglen@y7mail.com  Bikes are $30 per day or less, and kids’ bikes come free with an adult hirs. Open Fridays and Saturdays for popping in.
Athenaeum Library, 97 High St Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 2pm to 4pm, Saturdays 9.30am to noon. Contact maldonathenaeumlibrary@gmail.com
MANet Arts Focus Gallery, 27 Main St. Open Wednesday 11am to 4pm; Friday to Sunday 10am to 4pm (11am Friday). Maldon Art Network offers annual portrait and landscape exhibitions. Details on https://www.maldonartistnetwork.org.au/
Cascade Art 1A Fountain St, Open Thursday – Sunday 10am - 5pm (closed: July, August) Kareen Anchen - Gallery Director: 0408 844 152 | cascadeart.com.au . Sign up for the newsletter
Much Ado General Store, 22 Main St.
Lauren and Frank are open Sunday – Thursday 10am – 3pm, Friday - Saturday 10am to 5pm. Contact 5475 1005, muchado.com.au
Sandy Creek Clydesdales, 504 Sandy Creek Rd, Gower. 
Matthew & Jaimie Thompson. Contact them on https://sandycreekclydesdales.weebly.com/#/ 
Newstead Arts Hub 8A Tivey St. Newstead
Gallery open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Check Diary here for what’s on, or at newsteadartshub.org. Email info@newsteadartshub.org 
RedShed Arts workshop space, Church St Newstead. Serious art classes, sign up for their newsletter at info@redshed.art
Oxart Pottery and Learning Centre, 128 High St Taradale
Oxart Pottery produces a range of beautiful, functional pottery while also running a vibrant pottery school at 'Oxart HQ' Taradale. Open 9am to 5 pm every day. Ring Ian McColl on 0431 611 194 or email - ox.art.pots@gmail.com. Website https://oxartpottery.com.au
Scorched Earth Ceramics Walmer
Angie Robinson runs popular ceramics classes from her workshop between Maldon and Harcourt. Check out her website, Facebook or contact her on ceramics@scorchedearth.com.au, or phone 0427558879
Koolclay Art is Tracey Koolen’s Maldon studio for group or individual clay-based classes. Contact her on www.koolclay.art or on Facebook or X(Twitter) for her latest dates.
Buda Historic Home and Gardens, 42 Hunter St. Castlemaine
Premier attraction in Castlemaine (given Market Place and Art Gallery). Open daily, 9.30am to 3.30pm. Guided tours Sunday afternoons, free, plus kids’ treasure hunts. Details at https://budacastlemaine.org/
Possum Gully Galleryursery, 428 Possum Gully Rd, Adelaide Lead. 11am - pm Saturdays and Sundays, and public holidays or by appointmentI. It’s 40 minutes’ drive from Maldon.  http://www.possumgullyfinearts.com.au/n, via Maryborough. The fun is finding it, although it’s all sealed road. Landline 5461 1775,
 
Food? 
Maldon Lolly Shop. 20 High St. 10am to 4.30pm (or 5pm) seven days. Retailers and wholesalers of good old fashioned confectionery; gourmet cordials and delicious chocolates – or order on https://themaldonlollyshop.square.site/ Tel 5475 1136.
Kangaroo Hotel, 89 High St.. New  publicans awaited
Maldon Rose Official Café 6 Main St, open Thursdays – Sundays 10am to 4pm. Specialising in morning and afternoon cream teas. Phone Kimberlei McClure et al. 0492 183 081 for bookings over 6 people for high tea (or coffee)w.facebook.com/maldonrose
 Maldon Takeaway and the Blue Cockatoo Bar 10 Main St, Melitta and Adam’s takeaway and eat in 11am - 7pm every day except Mondays. Blue Cockatoo Cock-tail Bar at back weekends with birds, cock-tails and bar snacks open noon to 9pm. Music, music, music Friday nights and Sunday lunch. Phone orders 0476 887 062
Maldon Quality Butchers 19 Main St, Open weekdays 6am to 5.30 pm, Saturdays 6am to 12 noon, closed Sundays. Great food, great preparations tips and an assortment of local eggs, milk, and condiments. Plus Maldon Honey. Brad’s landline 5475 22713.
Maldon Fudge and Icecreamery, 22 Main St, Carman’s open every day during school holidays, otherwise Wednesdays to Sundays, 11am to 4.30pm Tel 5475 2652.
Berrryman's Cafe and Tearooms 30 Main St. B Open 7 days for breakfast, tea and light lunches. I have a soft spot for Berryman’s, Alice owned Fairbank in her day. The popular cafe also offers delicious cakes, Gigante Espresso Coffee and quality teas in a bright, friendly atmosphere. Ph 5475 2904
Gold Exchange Café 46 Main St. Weekdays from 7am, weekends from 7.30am to 3pm for breakfast, lunch and teas, everything homemade. Ring Cathy 0439 368 077.  
48 Main St Guess where? Bar with local beers and wines, live music. Open Thursday to Sunday, 4pm to late. Contact Leah or AJ on lmcmahon849@gmail.com
Café Maldon, 52 Main St. Open Friday - Wednesday 7.15am –3pm, Sat – Sun. 8am - 3pm. tel Karen (03) 5475 202. They offer Maldon Grazing, where you order boxes as required  as takeaway. https://order.platform.hungryhungry.com/cafemaldon/menu
Maldon Bakery, 51 Main St. Open Tuesday – Friday 7.30 am to 4.30pm, weekends from 8am for high quality traditional baked fare from original Scotch oven. https://www.maldonbakery.com.au/. Landline 5475 2713  Meet Tom, an additional baker 
Maldon Hotel, 58 Main St –Open 12 noon Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, Monday & Tuesday from 4pm, dinner only. Closes 11pm. Ring (03) 5475 2231 
This Little Piggy Market. Trades prepared Eurasian meals from the Post Office residence, 95 High St. Maldon. Evolving menu based on seasonal vegetables and meats. Menu on Facebook at This Little Piggy Market at Maldon.  Phone 0474 037 556. Highly rated. 
Golden Nugget, Porcupine Village, 8 Allens Rd, Maldon Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (their fine dining night) from 6pm, Sundays from noon -2pm: 2-course carvery Bookings essential. Sunday session from 2.30pm-6pm light meals and snacks with live music. Phone (03) 4417 5909 or book online at https://www.porcupinevillage.com.au/
Warral Maldon 36 Boundary Rd Visit the one stop shop for everything (awarded) honey, open 10am – 3 pm Monday to Friday, Ring 1800 671 188, also online https://warralmaldon.com.au/wm-shop/australian-honey/ 
 
Newstead 
Dig Cafe cnr Lyons and Panmure Sts. Open Wednesday – Sunday 8.30am – 3.30pm and takeaway pizzas from 5pm to 8pm Fridays. Phone 5476 2744. 
Newstead Country Store, 12 Lyons St Newstead Take away type food. Open 7am -- 4pm Monday to Wednesday,  7am thurs-Fri, 8am Sat, 9am Sunday and closing 7.30pm on those 5 days. Serves fishing chips, pizzas and in-store or take-away dinners (beef or pork meal packs) They do delivery, too, but probably not Maldon! Ring (03) 5476 2252 
Crown Hotel 8 Lyons St Newstead says it has good pub grub at reasonable prices and also appears to be open every day for meals. Patrons seem to be better promoting it than the owners. Curious? Ring 5476 2222 to book/check
 
Harcourt 
Harcourt Produce and General Store (and café) 115 Harmony Way Harcourt
Grazing boards, salmon plates, and all local produce, wines and ciders. Open 9am to 3pm Wednesdays to Sundays. SMS bookings to Annette on 0430 302 763. 
Blackwood Orchards 111 Chellews Road Harcourt North, Strawberries good to go. Phone/text 0428 570 051 or online at https://blackwood-orchard.business.site/
Goodness Flours, 27 Gaaschs Road Harcourt.
Small batch, freshly milled, wholegrain flours and a range of bread, cake and biscuit mixes. Available at the Castlemaine Farmers Markets. and online at https://www.goodnessflour.com.au/ Contact Liesel at hello@goodnessflour.com.au, phone 0427 132 601
 
Elphinstone
Elphinstone Hotel. 14 Wright St. Open Fridays to Sundays for lunch and dinner, noon to 9pm. Ring 5473 3165 or email theelphopub@gmail.com. 
 
For something quite different, go catch your lunch:
 
Smeaton
Tuki Trout Farm, 60 Stoney Rises Road, Smeaton. Open Wednesdays to Sundays, daily during school holidays, for trout fishing ($14) and/or lunch, ($42) 11am to 5pm. There’s a full service restaurant as well.d Book on (03) 5345 6233 or https://tuki.com.au/our-menu-wine-list/. 
 
Markets
Wesley Hill Market on Pyrenees Highway, cnr van Heurck St, every Saturday, 9am-1pm
Castlemaine Weekly Farmers Market, next to Market Building, Frederick St. every Wednesday, 2:30pm-5:30pm
Castlemaine Monthly Farmers Market, Western Reserve, Forest St., first Sunday of the month, 9am-1pm, Check details at https://www.castlemainefarmersmarket.org/ 
Talbot Farmers Market, 40 Scandinavian Crescent. 3^rd Sunday every month 9am to 1pm. Legendary market that started them all (maybe) https://talbotfarmersmarket.org.au/, or email info@talbotfarmersmarket.org.au 
 Dunolly Country Market, Broadway, 4^th Sunday of the month, 8am to 1pm. Contact dynamo lynda.vater@gmail.com or mobile 0418 875 453 for a spot 
 
 
Wineries et al. 
Panacea Estate, 329 Seers Road, Welshman's Reef, 12 noon – 5pm Saturdays. Enjoy your afternoon with a platter, order at https://panaceaestate.com.au/bookings or ring 0434 366 617
St Anne’s Winery, Belvoir Park Rd, Ravenswood
Open every day for wine tastings. It’s popular for Sunday pizzas from non to 4pm with live music during the afternoon. Workshops coming up in 2024 as well. Book at 5435 3601. 
Henry of Harcourt, 219 Reservoir Rd Harcourt, great ciders, cider vinegar and perry. Platters available. Open every day except Christmas Day.10am to 5pm - Call 5474 2177.
Harcourt Valley Apples at Little Red Apple , 8795 Midland Highway, Barkers Creek,  Tel 03 5474 2483 Online at https://harcourtcider.com.au/shop/   
 Simon and Vicki Frost puts their products in Fairbank’s fridge.
Welshman's Reef Vineyard, Maldon Newstead Road, cellar door weekends. 10am to 5pm or appointment (03) 5476 2733. http://welshmansreef.com/ Check first
Sutton Grange Winery, Carnochan’s Road, Sutton Grange, Top syrah wine and sparkling rosé, proudly presented to Fairbank’s guests. 
Sit down wine tastings on weekends for $10 per person. Ring (03) 8672 1478 or book (for 6 or more) at https://www.obee.com.au/suttongrangewinery
Bress Winery at Lome Vineyard, 59 Franklings Rd, North Harcourt. Open weekends 11am to 4pm for wine tastings and sales. For enquiries contact Chris McCormack on: 0437 493 303, https://bress.com.au/, https://lomevineyard.com.au/ 
Grangehill Vineyard, Gallaghers Lane, Eastville (off Maldon-Bridgewater Rd). Open weekends11am – 5pm or by appointment, ring Russell on 0457 353 838
Blackjack Winery, 3379 Harmony Way, Harcourt, cellar door at weekends, 11am to 5pm , contact (03) 5474 2355 https://blackjackwines.com.au/ Open most public holidays!
Harcourt Valley Vineyards, 3339 Harmony Way Harcourt, Closed for the winter, sold out, then open Sundays, noon to 4pm. Enquiries Marie on 0431 996 515 or landline (03) 5474 2223. Weddings central. https://www.harcourtvalley.com.au/.
Heybridge Estate, 170 Boundary Rd, Maldon. Try them in Maldon and order online.hesthttps://www.heybridgeestate.com.au/ate.com.au/
Whitlocks Vineyard, Whitlocks Rd, Tarrangower (on Lake Cairn Curran). Either buy their shiraz online, or pick it up from licensed purveyors in Maldon. Contact: 0439031075 or emily@whitlocksvineyard.com.au.  


Remember the Maldon Landscape Art Prize for 2023? A People’s Prize was lately awarded to Tara Royle for her picture, After the storm.