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Thanks to those who contributed to the Maldon awareness survey over the holidays. The response was great, and the winner is Gail Veal of Yarraville. Gail’s not wasting any time claiming her prize and has booked in for next month. Congratulations Gail!
For this special issue, we’ll welcome Gail to Maldon We’ve ‘adopted’ folk who submitted their emails, so an explanation is in order. Maldon Diary is a monthly synopsis of events planned in town and the district, and we generally have a yarn after that. The next Diary will be out later in February, so please accept these Diaries for a while – you may be surprised at what we can do.
It’s all for your entertainment
Michele Waddington
For the Fairbank Team.
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Welcome to Gail and all who (may) visit
You are among some 70.000 visitor colleagues who hit our hamlet each year, adding temporarily to our population of 1700. There’s usually an event drawing a crowd every month – last month was the Twilight Dinner where 820 guests dined in Main Street under the stars.This is a text block, edit the text here.
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Our monthly market’s on Sunday morning 11 February (and 10 March) at the Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Church St close to the Bendigo road, There’s the weekend of 17 February, which brings the Maldon Antique Fair – it’s held on the town oval, and it's EPIC!
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Then the Maldon Campdraft’s the weekend of 11 March at the Maldon Racecourse at the corner of Lewis and Bendigo roads
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That happens for the Easter Fair as well, we have the oldest continuous and largest Easter Fair (Bendigo was first, but its festival s been shrinking down to Sun Loong’s considerable presence)
Easter’s early this year, and here’s the start of it
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Exhausted already?
Many people enjoy the quiet, although you have the dawn chorus and curious kangaroos that sometimes come right into town. There’s plenty of trails around the diggings that bisect the town, and the houses and gardens are a delight to walk the dog. Many people adopt a house or apartment and return often, preferring the value they receive rather than owning their own property, although Maldon’s grown a lot since the pandemic.
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Interested in the outcome of the survey?
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Followed by a one-day Swap Meet down at the Racecourse on the Bendigo road on 17 March, when you get to drink green Guinness back in town presumably
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Thursday 26 March, Lights on the Mount Tarrengower Tower, Scone Bake in Main St. (Maldon Rose usually wins, but there’s Maldon Hotel and Maldon Bakery dusting the flour off their hands) – Friday’s respectful, then the weekend’s full of traditional games and events, and the Grand Parade finishes off the 147th Fair on Monday morning. Pic shows Dancing in the Street. his is a text block, edit the text here.
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Then there’s the cafes, bars and hotel (the Kangaroo’s having a rest) the art galleries, the shops for browsing (see Due diligence. And the train. Our steam locomotive is having heart surgery, but oi expected to be back on her wheels by Easter. There’s a return train from Castlemaine on Wednesdays and Sundays, and special visits in between. Check Victorian Goldfields Railway at vgr.com.auhis is a text block,.
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Again thanks for your vote -
Please visit (again) and have a wonderful time.
Due diligence
We are in the fire danger period. There’s restrictions on solid fuel for barbecues or camp fires, so use gas or electricity facilities instead, please..
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 Swimming Pool in Hospital St. behind school. Open (except on days less than 23C)
weekends, school holidays, public holidays: 1pm – 6pm
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 (11 February)
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 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, Opening 29 February/
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.
Guided stud tour and cart ride with 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 Gallery and Nursery, 428 Possum Gully Rd, Adelaide Lead. 11am - 5pm 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. 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.. Waiting on new publicans, Bookings tel (03) 5475 2214
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) www.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
Le Sel Maldon's petite French deli at 12 Main St.. Wednesdays to Sundays. 9am to 3pm or 4pm weekends. tel 0411 721 928. Menus at https://www.lesel.com.au/menu-3/
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. This is Hugo’s honeycomb fudge.
\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, land famous for its troubadours. 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 (beside ours)
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 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/
Whilst we admire Michael Henry, the extraordinary range of locally sourced apple products, juice to liqueurs produced by Simon and Vicki Frost puts its products in Fairbank’s fridge for guests. Available at the Little Red Apple along with much of Fairbank’s guest provisions.
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/.
Killiecrankie Wines, 103 Soldier Rd Ravenswood (other side of the highway to North Harcourt). Open 11am to 5pm weekends and most public holidays, phone 0447 733 599, https://killiecrankiewines.com/
Newbridge Wines. 3421 Maldon-Newbridge Road, Newbridge. Frequent markets and Melbourne shows, not open for cellar door, just online https://www.newbridgewines.com.au/
Heybridge Estate, 170 Boundary Rd, Maldon. Shop at https://www.heybridgeestate.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.
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