Hepburn Springs
Hepburn Springs is an historic village located in the middle of the largest concentration of mineral springs in Australia. The springs are full of health-giving minerals that occur naturally in different formulations, giving every spring a distinctive taste. Established during the gold rush of the 1850s when Swiss Italian migrants moved to the area, it is now a popular holiday resort noted for its days spas and wellness centres.
Quick facts
- Population approximately 750
- 111 kilometres north-west of Melbourne
- Mineral Springs
- Home of the Hepburn Springs Bathhouse.
Activities and attractions
- Explore the Hepburn Springs Mineral Springs Reserve. Sample the mineral waters from the hand pumps and continuous-flow pipes or enjoy a picnic under the trees. You can bottle and drink the water free of charge
- Walk through Hepburn Regional Park in spring and see colourful wildflowers and a wide range of animals and birds that inhabit the area. Take a longer walk, along the 16km Tipperary Track and explore the scenic attractions like Sailors Falls, Mount Franklin, the Blowhole and the Hepburn Pool
- Indulge in hydrotherapy, massage and beauty therapy at one of many day spas and wellness centres or book an in-house massage (The famous Hepburn Bathhouse will be closed for refurbishment from October 2006 – the refurbishment will include a multi million dollar upgrade and the building of a new mineral pool and spa)
- Enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes and restaurants along Main Road or a beer and bar snack at a historic country pub
- Catch some great music acts at the Palais
- Look for gifts, beauty products and local produce in galleries and quirky shops
- Pick up a map from the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre and take the Historic Village Walk. Visit the Old Macaroni Factory (1859), Villa Parma (1864) and restored Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco guest houses, shops, hotels, and miners’ cottages
- Play a round of golf on Hepburn Springs’ 18-hole golf course (watch for the resident wild kangaroos)
- Drive 5kms to visit the historic Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, with lavender fields in bloom November-February, and Cricket Willow, home of the cricket bat and cricket and sporting memorabilia.
Major events
- Lavender Harvest Festival – January
- Chill Out – March
- Swiss-Italian Festa – Late April
- Fabulous Flower Festa – November.
How to get there
Hepburn Springs is just over one hour from Melbourne on the Western Freeway and Midland Highway and three kilometres from Daylesford. V/Line has services from Melbourne via Woodend and Ballan.
