Change more than the season! Learn a traditional skill then adapt it to meet 2025 opportunities. From oil painting to rival Rembrandt, through art media, to interior decorating, making food, orchardist and animal husbandry, it’s time to throw off glum and get to it! All these opportunities within a coo-ee of Maldon’s (nearly) World Heritage Hub.
Meantime there’s Campdraft (story), Applefest, the town garage sale. fun generating AI pictures, and music, music, music,
It’s all for your entertainment
Michele Waddington for the Fairbank team |
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Intelligence from the Goldfields |
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Canvassing caravaners' dwindling locatons
The future of the publicly owned Maldon CaravalPark is under threat, in common with many such parks close to small town centres. However, not only caravanners and campers need attractive accommodation - we need them to be able to stroll to twilight dinners, antique fairs, pub even,ts, Easter fairs, Maldon in Winter, restaurants and galleries.
Until 10 March, Mount Alexander Council is canvassing responses to four options for the future of Maldon Caravan Park site, only one of which is its continuity.
We need a well-run, welcoming space for you. Please complete the survey, opting for retention and improvements |
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Victorian Goldfields Railways are back to steam in March. Apart from Saturday specialty trains, there’s scheduled blue services on Fridays starting 7 March and red services on Sundays until the end of July. .
Monthly Ales on Rails starts Saturday 8 March, and the Good Friday Wine and Cheese Soiree is filling fast. Murder on the Orient Express night frills off from Saturday 24 May. There’s the annual outing of the ancient Colonial Express in April, and he 20th anniversary of the line reopening to Castlemaine on 22 March. All booking at VGR.com |
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What’s more, Maldon Bakery, Australia’s oldest, (and best) is now open every day. |
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Cascade Art 1A Fountain St, Maldon
Thursdays – Sundays 10am - 5pm An exhibition by Julie Abdrews of her atmospheric landscapes, Following the Half-Light is available until 2 March. Contact Kareen Anchen, Gallery Director: 0408 844 152 cascadeart.com.au |
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The Good Food Providers, 12 Main St , Maldon'
Gracing Main St. Adrian Upward and his team have settled into last year’s Le Sel with a similar French-inspired style cafe, 9am – 4pm Wednesdays to Sundays. Degustation style Long Table Dinners (from $80pp) offered every second Friday which arguable means 21 February and 7 March. Book orders@thegoodfoodproviders.com.au. It’s also a deli specialising in French style cheeses with charcuterie and crusty sourdough,, plus catering. And cooking classes starting in April. |
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Wombat Forest Wines, 189 Springhill Rd Denver |
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Maldon Hotel’s rejig of its wares/services/time for a change. .It’s at 58 Main St. and open 12 noon Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, Monday and Tuesday from 4pm, dinner only Inwuiries and bookings at 3) 5475 2231 |
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Tuesday 18 February
RedShed Arts Workshop, Church St Newstead
For locals this is a six-weeks course, one day per week. Perhaps they may later offer a weekend course for those further afield. There are three lengthy RedShed courses starting in February on matters art. However, one on interior design may serves o pull the rest together. Start with art and build your style from a selected piece
Deep Al, first try. It obviously thinks the design trend is wood with industrial lighting. You learned it first from the Diary,
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Maldon Bowls Club, 82 High St Maldon
Friday 5pm – 8pm Come along to the next Community BBQ.
Join in the Club's bowling, BBQ and live music. Did I mention Barefoot Bowls? Adults $5 entry, children free. Come on, you can bowl a ball! Contact by Facebook |
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Saturday 22 February
Kyneton Racecourse 44 Campaspe Place Kyneton
8am - 7pm Grow Festival of regenerative food and farming. GROW is a one-day conference and field day bringing farmers and consumers together to drive positive change in agriculture, food production and land stewardship. Together, we can achieve a brighter, healthier, climate-adaptive and more profitable future. Tickets covering all events $100 pp, children under 16 years free with adult ticket. Learn how to grow your own food is best left to farmers.Stick to herbs and salad plants for a cost benefit return. |
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Saturday still
MANeT 27 Main St Maldon
3pm to 6pm Maldon Artist Network Gallery invites you to celebrate and view the artwork of Liadaan and Karen Holland (artwork by the latter). the gallery's two new exhibiting artists.Rhis exhibition continues until 30 March 2025. Also exhibiting are Carol De Graauw, Irena Kaczmarek, Cheryl Kennedy, Carolyn Vickers, Eva Miller and Catherine Tait |
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Sunday 23 February
10am – 3pm. Introduction to linocut portraiture with Clayton Tremlett. Learn how to make a linocut portrait in one day! Linocut portraiture explores the essential elements of linocut printmaking and portraiture. Participants learn the basics of developing an image, transferring the image to a prepared lino block, then carving, proofing and printing a linocut portrait on archival printmaking paper. Modern use? Try stencilling walls, or making bathroom tiles. Cost $160 includes all materials Book at info@redshed.art Picz. Deep AI, second try, and the real Clayton Tremlett |
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Or
Campo Verde Alpacas 191 Eagle Rd, Harcourt
Sunday as well - 10am – 2 pm Take a road less travelled for your escape to the (usually) verdant hills of Harcourt. Learn the ins and outs of alpaca farming, including setting up your farm and handling facilities, choosing the right alpacas for your goals, keeping them healthy and happy, and avoiding costly beginner mistakes. Who cares what they are good for? They’r e adorable and a farmer will probably take their coats off for you anyway. Cost $150pp, book and inquiries on the Campo Verde website |
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Tuesday 25 February
Maldon Croquet Club, Francis St Maldon.
Another birthday - thus one topping the tonne!
At 8pm on this day, 12th February 1925, a meeting of local women resolved to form the 'Maldon Croquet Club'. Miss Effie Hutton was elected President. Other office bearers: Vice Presidents (2) - Mrs Adams and Miss Gertrude Brooks; Hon. Secretary & Treasurer: Miss Effie Laidler; Committee: Mesdames Mead, Butler & Prime. After the inaugural meeting plans were put in motion to secure and prepare the lawn site on the Fountain Street side of the Shire Hal l Gardens near the Shire Hall (now Maldon Museum).
6.30pm Have a Go Croquet Croquet’s a fun, family sport. Try it out on Tuesday evenings on 25 February or 25 March before they get into competition mode Contact the Secretary, Ann, for further details (mob) 0403 669249 or email maldoncroquet3@gmail.com Pics. AI, 4th try, for the Edwardian ladies, Croquet Clud pic/ |
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Thursday 27 February
Maldon Golf Club, Golf Links Road Maldon.
9am – 5pm Certificated First-aid Course Brought to Maldon annually by the Bendigo (and Adelaide) Bank and Rhythm First Aid. This is an opportunity to really help yourself and your community. Cost $170pp or less if you qualify for one of the bank’s discounts.. |
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Saturday 1 March
Maldon Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Church St.
8am Maldon’s massive grage sale. This is a recycling process where Maldonian’ treasures move up the road a few doors, thereby to repeat the process in 2026. Take some goodies out of the supply chain. Maps at the Neighbourhood Centre, Newsagency and stores around town. |
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Saturday at Newstead
RedShed Arts Workshop, Church St Newstead 10am – 40m Abstract landscapes in watercolour with Eleni Rivers Building on a foundation of classic watercolour technique such as transparent washes and wet in wet, the emphasis in this class will be on freeing up your creative expression through a range of simple yet effective exercises. The day will include presentations, discussions and projects as you embark on an adventurous study intended to explore that balance of observation and free expression. Forget the canvases and think big. Go paint the garage as a backdrop to the barbeque. Cost $140, book at info@reshed.art DeepAi second try |
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Sunday 2 March\
Metcalfe Rcreation Reserve, just off Metcalfe-Kyneton Rd, 10.30am Metcalfe Music Bash and Woodchop.
Your quintessential bush fair. Metcalfe is a hamlet somewhere between Kyneton and Harcourt. Like Maldon, it doesn’t lead anywhere else but unlike Maldon, it’s pastoral, not gold.-based Take a family picnic and marvel at the woodchop blokes and the traditions of the Great Australian Fair. Adults #10pp, children free. |
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Thursday 6 March
Cascade Gallery 1A Fountain St Maldon 10am Exhibition by John Wolseley The Magnificent Return of Bilbies, Bettongs and Hare Wallabies to Newhaven. Until 6 April.
Gallery Director Kareen Anchen warmly invites you to celebrate the official opening at 2pm Saturday 8 March by celebrated author, Robyn Davidson OAM. Exhibition catalogue available on request prior to opening. No DeepAI here! |
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Saturday 8 March
Harcourt Leisure Centre 63 Binghams Rd Harcourt
10am – 3pm Harcourt Applefest—a celebration of everything apple! From delicious apple treats, live music, and local artisans to fun-filled family activities, there's something for everyone. Featuring: Kashmir Bellydancers / Duck Cameron / Thompson Foundry Band / Vintage Vixens Kids activities - Baking / Lego / Apple Pie Eating / Laser Tag / Rockwall Market Stalls DeepAI doesn’t do posters very well. This is Harcourt’s recycled version. |
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Saturday 8th, earlier, plus following Saturdays
The Cheese School at the Mill, 9 Walker St Castlemaine.
9am – 6pm. One day Home Cheesemaking Course Led by Michael Paradise, it’s perfect for those who want to learn cultured cheesemaking as both a science and an art. Learn about raw and pasteurised milk, the basics of cheese microbiology, starters and coagulants, moulding techniques and food safety. You’ll make 2 different cheeses and take them home, with the equipment to age them. Three breaks included.
This is good – you can learn the basics and start setting up a spare bedroom industry, selling online. Be careful of health regs though, Big Government is watching for any profit .And get public liability insurance. ., Deep AI says you'll end up with this product. It probably doesn't recognise brie yet. Wait till AI tastes it. |
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Weekend Saturday and Sunday 8-9 March |
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Weekend as well
Bendigo Showgrounds Holmes Road, Gate one.
The few times the City of Bendigo gets a peek in the Diary usually concern a Maldonian. Like Mark Blythe. |
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Sunday 9 March
Mind our manners, Taradale shoulr go first todayt.
Annual Taradale Mineral Springs Festival.at the Springs Reserve off the old Calder road.
10am – 4pm Following on from Harcourt’s Big Applefest, Taradale’s annual get-together is just that – low key, harmonious, delightful. Tiny towns do it best, and it’s well worth a leisurely visit, For a $5 entrance fee (over 15’s), visitors can enjoy fine wine, diverse cuisine, arts, crafts, a classic car show, spinning wheel, a huge raffle and entertainment for the whole family. All with the backdrop of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s magnificent arches, built in just over a year.(1861) |
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Sunday 2 – 4pm Whilst you’re in Harcourt, hop on over to Goodness Flour’s Flour Club, new for 2025. There’ll be cake and a cuppa in the millroom, where the goodness is value-added/. If you’ve ordered online, the you can pick up your purchases, and discover how the system works.
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Maldon Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Church St. Maldon Hamdmade Market,
Sunday still 9am – 1.20pm Browse stalls for ice cream, crafts, wines and produce picked fresh for the market Waltz through the cuisines to choose your morsels Then there’s plenty of shady space to relax and listen to the troubadours |
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Story
And they're racing! |
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Maldon’s Moolort Plains west of Tarrengower have long been associated with horse breeding. Arguably, we’re the northernmost of the horse breeders/trainers’ Macedon-Ballarat bailiwick. Australian horse racing has long been part of the Saturday afternoon sports tradition which lingers even now, despite or maybe fuelled by the voracious appetite of media. Racing is not about to fade when there’s so much variety to horse-focussed sports. Horse racing was one of the most popular sports on the early Victorian goldfields. |
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Maldon’s Moolort Plains west of Tarrengower have long been associated with horse breeding. Arguably, we’re the northernmost of the horse breeders/trainers’ Macedon-Ballarat bailiwick. Australian horse racing has long been part of the Saturday afternoon sports tradition which lingers even now, despite or maybe fuelled by the voracious appetite of media. Racing is not about to fade when there’s so much variety to horse-focussed sports. Horse racing was one of the most popular sports on the early Victorian goldfields. Arguably, as with everything Sydney-centric, Hyde Park doing hosted the first horse race meet in 1810. What was Hobart? |
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Nearer Maldon, Flemington Racecourse has operated continuously since 1840, when the first race meeting was held here on the Maribyrnong River flats north of the city. In 1848, 142 hectares of Crown Land was reserved as a public racecourse and the wealth produced during the gold rushes made Melbourne the centre of Australian horseracing. By the 1850s the financial underpinnings of horseracing were sufficiently strong to support national competition and large purses were offered to attract good fields. In 1857 a challenge race between Melbourne's Alice Hawthorn and Sydney's Veno for the sum of 1000 sovereigns caused great excitement. Veno was shipped to Melbourne and won and, later the same day, raced against the Geelong horse Van Tromp, to win again. The Australian Champion Sweepstake was introduced In 1859 with prize money of £500 to the owner. Similarly, the introduction of the Melbourne Cup in 1861 invited inter-colonial interest with the Sydney horse Archer winning the first two Cups. |
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Whilst the 1858 Bendigo Jockey Club is one of the oldest in the state, the Bendigo Cup only appeared in 1868. It was then the Sandhurst Cup and won by a horse named Old England. The city of Sandhurst was officially changed to Bendigo in 1891 but the Sandhurst Cup and Bendigo Handicap remained two separate racing events. In late 1893 references to the 'Bendigo Cup' appeared, seemingly interchanged with the Sandhurst Cup, mainly by bookmakers and dressmakers |
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This section is courtesy of the Maldon Museum and Archives (pictures added). The first race meeting on the Tarrangower diggings took place on Boxing Day 1854 on an improvised racecourse at Sandy Creek which is crossed by the Castlemaine-Maldom Road. A racing fee of £3 per horse allowed for total prize money of over £100 . The event was advertised as ‘Hack Races’, and most races were only open to untrained horses. Several race meetings were held at Sandy Creek over the next few years. The main organisers of these events were local publicans who profited by selling alcohol on course and holding balls and dinners associated with the races. Professional men, particularly doctors, also played prominent roles. Dr Charles Hardy usually officiated as the Chief Judge and Dr Robert Lisle entered his horses and acted as a starter or steward.(DeepAi, aout five tries, but that looks like Tarrengwer at the vback, Sorry about the hats, DeepAI wouldn't give them up) |
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In October 1856 the Mount Alexander Mail claimed it could not say anything in favour of the Sandy Creek course. It was situated on thickly wooded undulating ground with some parts of the course being very much up hill. Some of the cleared areas were extremely narrow and dangerous with jockeys often narrowly escaping injury from overhanging branches (DeepAi, about 5th try. In July 1857, Israel Berry Spencer, the proprietor of the Brighton Hotel at Porcupine Flat, (Maldon-Bendigo road) announced that he was preparing a racecourse on Crown land at the rear of his hotel. Spencer had opened the Brighton Hotel in 1854 after being granted one of the first publican’s licences on the Tarrangower diggings and was one of those who had organised the earliest race meetings. Following his announcement, a gathering of Maldon’s racing fraternity decided to hold future meetings at the ‘Ascot Course’ at the rear of Spencer’s hotel’. The first races were held there in November 1857 followed by another meeting on Boxing Day. Sadly, in August 1859, Spencer was committed to the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum, suffering from ‘monomania’. At this time, his racecourse was described as properly cleared and fenced in. It had a grandstand and a range of roomy stables and carriage sheds. There was also a blacksmith’s shop and it was connected to the Brighton Hotel’s large garden and ‘pleasure grounds’. Following Spencer’s death at Yarra Bend in February 1860 his widow Sarah and later their son James continued to operate the hotel and racecourse.Actually this was the second try at DeepAI, - it reverted to American bleechers with the remaining tries. |
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In September 1891 the racecourse was gazetted as a recreational reserve to be managed by the Shire of Maldon. The reserve was extended in February 1899, Many local organisations used it for sports meetings and picnics. The most significant use was the,St Patrick’s Day race meetings which were held there from 1905 until 1936
More \recently the reserve has been the home of the Maldon and Baringhup Agricultural Show, and the Pony and Campdraft clubs (Thie pic shows the Campdraft infrastructure today used to finish a competitor's run. |
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The sport originated in the skills acquired through mustering on Australia’s vast northern plains in the 19th century. The aim of the competition is to cut an animal from a small mob in the camp by quietly moving the horse among the cattle and then manoeuvrering it to a gate at the other end (front) of the (camp) yard. This is done by using the horse to block the animal’s attempts to return to the herd.
When the competitor has demonstrated animal control to the judge, s/he calls for the gate to be opened. Once on the arena, the competitor is working against the clock (forty seconds) to guide the beast around two pegs in a figure of eight pattern, and then drive itt between a final two pegs which form the gate. The best combination of control of the beast, riding skills, speed and completing the course scores the highest points. It is not unusual to see a beast gated in under twenty five seconds, demonstrating the speed and agility of the specially trained horses. The ability of the horses, combined with breathtaking horsemanship, makes campdrafting a sport for both competitors and spectators.
The pic is the legendary (to Maldon) Mobile Miracle with Barry Murphy along for the ride. How’s that for concentration (Mobile Miracle’s)? |
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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.
Nearest public EV station is the IGA carpark in Forest St Castlemaine at the Victory Park entryway.
Maldon Swimming Pool, Hospital St behind school open to the general public from 10am to 6pm on weekends and from 3pm weekdays during school holidays. Closed during cool or extreme weather
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 2nd Sunday of month 9 Marchy)
Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum in Vincent's Road, open Wednesdays, 11am to 3pm, all Saturdays and 2nd 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 1633Not the main holidays
Athenaeum Library, 97 High St Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 2pm to 4pm, Saturdays 9.30am to noon. Contact maldonathenaeumlibrary@gmail.com.
MaNET Art Gallery, 27 Main St. Open Wednesday 11am to 4pm; Friday to Sunday and public holidaysy). Maldon Art Network offers annual portrait and landscape exhibitions. MaNET Gallery artists include Caroline Vickers, Catherine Tait, Eva Miller, Jennifer Merkus, Malini Lewis, Cheryl Kennedy, Irena Kaczmarek and Carol de Graauw. Website https://www.maldonartistnetwork.org.au/
Cascade Art 1A Fountain St, Open Thursday – Sunday 10am - 5pm Kareen Anchen - Gallery Director: 0408 844 152 | cascadeart.com.au . Check Diary for events or eign up for their newsletter
Much Ado General Store, 22 Main St.
Lauren and Frank are open Sunday – Thursday 10am – 4pm, Friday - Saturday 10am to 5pm. Contact 5475 1005, muchado.com.au
Maldon Rose Gift Shop and the Dessert Society. 26-28 Main St, Both party venue and retail shop for Maldon Rose cafe. Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm . Ring 0492 183 081, social media or https://maldonroseofficial.square.site/? Koolclay Art 7 Parker St Maldon Tracey Koolen has all-age art classes in clay. See her workshops at https://www.koolclay.art/class-calendar
Sandy Creek Clydesdales, 504 Sandy Creek Rd, Gower.
Matthew & Jaimie Thompson are available for horse-related workshops and events such as weddings and anniversaries. Clydesdales for hire!. Contact them on https://www.sandycreekclydesdales.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 where all their courses aere now online.
Scorched Earth Ceramics 128 Chaplins Rd 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
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 Gallery, 428 Possum Gully Rd, Adelaide Lead. 11am - pm Saturdays and Sundays, and public holidays or by appointment. 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. Wendy dispenses good old fashioned confectionery; gourmet cordials and delicious chocolates – or order on https://themaldonlollyshop.square.site/ Tel 5475 1136.
Boone Espresso 67 High St. Watch the goings-on in Main St whilst imbibing a ham sandwich and an espresso. It’s a pop-up that has been around for a while Kangaroo Hotel, 89 High St. Now open for drinks, Wednesdays to Fridays from 4pm to late; Satudays noon until late, Sundays noon to 7pm. Food van on site for snacks.
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 at https://tinyurl.com/Highteaatmaldonrose(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 - 7.30pm every day.. 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 arvo.. Phone orders 0476 887 062 The Good Food Providers 12 Main St Maldon Replacing the much-lauded Le Sel.. Adrian Upward has a similar French-inspired style, open from 9am – 4pm Wednesdays to Sundays. Degustation style Long Table Dinners (from $80pp) offered every second Friday. Book at orders@thegoodfoodproviders.com.au Maldon IGA 11-17 Main St. Phone (03) 5475 2458 Open 7.30am to 7pm 9.30am to 5.30pm Sundays. ublic .
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 open every day during summer holidays 11am to 4 pm Tel 5475 2652.. She specialises in varied confections, sorbets, gelatis and ice cream, plus seasonal fudge and nougat tastes. Hop on to Facebook for the latest.
Berrryman's Cafe and Tearooms 30 Main St. Waiting, waiting
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 11pm. Contact Leah or AJ on lmcmahon849@gmail.com
Café Maldon, 52 Main St. Open weekdays 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..Happy hour Friday night 7 - 9pm Closes 11pm. Ring (03) 5475 2231
This Little Piggy Market. Trades prepared Eurasian meals from the Post Office residence, 95 High St. Maldon or delivered apparently. Evolving menu based on seasonal vegetables and meats. Gravitated into Castlemaine Friday and Saturday nights to PJ Tyres cnr Campbell St and Midland Highway. Menu https://this-little-piggy.square.site/. Phone 0474 037 556.
Golden Nugget, Porcupine Village, 8 Allens Rd, Maldon Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (their fine dining night) from 6pm, Sundays from noon -2pm:Fri2-course carvery Bookings essential. Sunday session from 2.30pm-6pm light meals and snacks with live music. Happy hour from 2.30pm 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/ Closing Christmas Eve, reopening 6 January
Campbells Creek
Five Flags Hotel. 151 Main Rd Campbells Creek
Open 11 am to 11pm every day. Lunch and dinner weekdays, meals all day at the weekend. and culinary adventure. Website https://fiveflagshotel.com/ for menu. Book at (03) 5472 1010
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 6.30am Tues-Fri and later Sat- Mon. Closing 4pm Mon – Wed, 7pm Thur- Sun Serves fishing chips, pizzas and in-store or take-away dinners (beef or pork meal packs) They do delivery, too, but probab.ly not Maldon! Ring (03) 5476 2252
Crown Hotel 8 Lyons St Newstead Opening hours 3.30pm – 8pm Mondays to– Wednesdays, 2pm – late (dinner) Thursdays and Fridays, 11.30 (lunch) to late (dinner) weekends. Ring 5476 2222 to book/check
Taradale
Taradale Wine and Produce Store 120 High St. Pizzas cooking Friday - Sunday nights. Bookings 5423 2828.
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 may start in October, cherries later. 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
Le Coq Door, 23 High St Harcourt Friday, Saturday and Sunday noon 'til late. Charcoal chicken, beer on tap, cellar door Plus soft serve, donuts. Phone 0412 035 545, Facebook and Instagram. It’s in the old motel, Open weekday mornings from 6am to 1pm. Big toasted sandwiches with diverse fillings, and great coffee. Owners used to run Woodend’s popular Fox in the Chamber cafe.
Taradale 120 High St Taradale Wine and Produce Store Expanding hours. Now open for pizzas Thursdays 4p30pm – 6pm, Fridays 3.30pm – 9pm, Saturdays 11am – 6pm and Sundays 11am to 9pm. Bookings, (03) 5423 2828. Elphistone
Elphinstone Hotel. 14 Wright St. Open Thursdays from 4pn and Fridays to Sundays for lunch and dinner, noon to 9pm. Ring 5473 3165 or email theelphopub@gmail.com.
Something different?
Smeaton
Tuki Trout Farm, 60 Stoney Rises Road, Smeaton. There’s a full service restaurant open Wednesdays to Sundays for trout fishing ($14/10) and/or lunch12- 3pm. Dinners Friday – Saturday 6.39 – 8pm. See https://tuki.com.au/stay-play-eat-package/
Creswick Black Cat Truffles with Liam Downes 150 Howards Rd Wattle Flat Black Cat Truffles with Liam Downes Whilst you can't hunt your own truffles you can watch truffle dogs at work and enjoy the produce. The restaurant is open for winter and summer truffle seasons, Friday 12pm-5pm, Saturday/ Sunday 9.30am-5pm. All food and experience opportunities at https://blackcattruffles.au/
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. 3rd 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, 4th 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 weekdays at 9am, 10am weekends, closes at 5pm - Call 5474 2177.- 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 (45 min) on Sundays noon – 5pm for $10 pp or while away a gorgeous Sunday with pizzas and wine. Ring (03) 8672 1478 or for six+ guests book online at suttongrange.com.au
Bress Wines, 59 Franklings Rd, North Harcourt. Open third weekend of the month 11am to 4pm for wine tastings and sales. Events June (dinner) and November (bike day) Inquiries at https://bress.com.au/.
Grangehill Vineyard, Gallaghers Lane, Eastville (off Maldon-Bridgewater Rd). Open weekends11am – 5pm or by appointment, ring Russell on 0457 353 838 Chaperon winea, the Grangehill brand, are available at Golden Nugget restaurant.
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, 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. https://www.heybridgeestate.com.au/ate.com.au/
Wombat Forest Wines, 189 Springhill Rd, Denver,(from Malmesbury on Daylesford Rd,) 45 mins from Maldon. Small vineyard, chardonnay, pinots, cabernet. Guests can indulge in a wine and cheese pairing experience. three boutique wines and three matched cheeses by Goldfields Farmhouse Cheeses of Ballarat served with bread from Malmesbury Bakery. $25 pp Contact mobile 0408 799 187 or info@wombatforestwines.com
Clubs you may want to look up
Maldon Bowls 82 High St. Playing Tuesdays, Fridays and weekends. Secretary can be contacted at (MaldonBowls@outlook.com). There’s also a monthly Community Night, sometimes barefoot (that’s party night). They also provide free training/coaching every Friday from 4.00 pm for all ages. Facebook: Maldon Bowls Club.
Maldon Golf Club. Golf Links Rd. It’s $10 per round for visiting players, and golfers with handicaps are welcome to join in club events. Social golf on Mondays from 8.30am – 9 holes. Facebook: Maldon Golf Club. Enquiries maldongolf4u@gmail.com or Gay Reid 0413 013 766.
Maldon Pétanque Club is fortnightly 1pm Sundays at St. Brigid’s (Chapel St, cnr Adaur St) \. Enq: Sandy Noble 0429 006 130.
Social Pétanque club is 2pm fortnightly, Sundays. at the Penny School pistil 19 Church St. or further information call 0459 093 452. Pic. Comet over Shenbourne, Feb 2025 L. Allen |
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