If relaxation is a priority, then head for Daylesford. Located 90 minutes northwest of Melbourne<\/a>, it\u2019s home to Australia\u2019s biggest concentration of mineral springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To drink them, stroll around Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve, where the waters have been channelled into various pipes, fountains and taps, letting you sip directly from the source. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To swim in them, visit a local bathhouse. The classic is Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, which has been welcoming visitors since 1895. Others include The Mineral Spa, Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa and The Spa at Lakehouse. For extra indulgence, pair your dip with a massage or spa treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For decades, Castlemaine has been attracting artists from Melbourne keen to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It\u2019s 90 minutes\u2019 drive northwest of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best place to start exploring is The Mill, a hub for all things locally-made \u2013 from artwork, furniture and clothing to wine, beer and cheese. There are plenty of private studios around town, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for exhibitions by big name Australian and international artists, make tracks to Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Come evening, catch a live music session at the Bridge Hotel, the Taproom or Theatre Royal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With its charming 19th century buildings, Maldon transports you back 150 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start your time travel on the Victorian Goldfields Railway, a steam train that travels between Maldon and Castlemaine. Make your ride even more special by riding in the engine cab with the driver, trying \u201cAles on Rails\u201d (which adds craft beer and bites) or travelling at night while Murder on the Orient Express<\/em> screens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more historical experiences, visit the Union Hill Gold Mine, Maldon Vintage Machinery and Museum, and ANZAC Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a weekender that involves feasting on local produce and sampling local wines, make tracks to Healsville, 70 minutes\u2019 drive northeast of Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Victoria\u2019s first wine-making region, established in 1838. It\u2019s best known for cool climate varietals, especially Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and there are more than 70 wineries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Classics include De Bortoli, Chandon and Yering Station. But loads of newer names are around, too, such as Giant Steps, Punt Road and Hubert Estate. The best eats in town are at the Healesville Hotel Dining Room, which does excellent versions of staples, like scotch fillet and steaks, as well as Middle Eastern-influenced creations, like harissa-roasted cauliflower and Lebanese eggplant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If fresh air, greenery and beautiful views are on the agenda, then take a spin to Macedon. It\u2019s just 50 minutes\u2019 drive northwest of the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kick off with a good coffee (and maybe brunch) at Mr Macedon, before driving to a nearby reserve for a stroll. Highlights include the trail to the summit of Hanging Rock, Sanatorium Lake Walking Trail and the variety of walks in Macedon Regional Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before heading back to Melbourne, be sure to swing by some of the area\u2019s wineries, including Mount Macedon, Mount Towrong Vineyard and Domaine Epis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To explore Victoria\u2019s lovely country towns thoroughly, you need a car. Don\u2019t have one? You can easily hire one with SIXT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We have a wide variety of vehicles \u2013 from SUVs<\/a> with loads of space, to 4WDs<\/a> that let you go off-road, to electric vehicles<\/a> (EVs) that help keep our environment free of carbon emissions.\u00a0 Is it time to escape the big smoke for a weekend? Luckily, when you\u2019re in Melbourne, there\u2019s a bunch of lovely country towns that are ideal for day trips. Here\u2019s where to go \u2013 from Daylesford, where you can melt your cares away in hot springs, to Healesville, where you can feast on incredible dishes…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[57,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-5224","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-melbourne","8":"tag-victoria","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"Hepburn](\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/Hepburn-Bathhouse-and-Spa-Image-credit-Hepburn-Bathhouse-and-Spa.jpeg\")
FOR ART AND LIVE MUSIC: CASTLEMAINE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FOR GOING BACK IN TIME: MALDON<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Chandon](\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/Chandon-Yarra-Valley-Image-credit-Chandon.png\")
FOR GOOD FOOD AND WINE: HEALESVILLE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nFOR GETTING BACK TO NATURE: MACEDON<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DAY TRIPPING FROM MELBOURNE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Plus, our branches are scattered across Victoria<\/a>, so there\u2019s always one nearby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"