For anyone living in a city, Easter usually means one thing - gridlock! Forget bunnies and chocolate, getting out of and back into the city can turn a trip away into a big sigh. So we've come up with a roadie out of Melbourne that can be done in two days so you can avoid all the queues on Good Friday and Easter Monday. For those with a tank of gas and desire to hunt out the best hot cross buns, some gold, art and definitely some chocolate, we’ve planned a road trip north of Melbourne on a loop to Bendigo, Sovereign Hill and back in time to kick back and relax on Easter Monday.
Actually, you don’t have to do this over Easter though, any weekend would do.
Paramoor Winery
You’re only 65 minutes out from Melbourne and you’re on your way to get hot cross buns for brunch so it’s too early for wine (we presume) but if you want to pick up a bottle of something special to have at the end of the drive then stop here for a breather. Paramoor’s cellar door is set inside a charming old heritage barn that’s packed full of relics from Clydesdale farming days so young minds (and hands) can be occupied, while you purchase a bottle of outstanding wine. Or have a small taste if you’re game, and not driving. Their ‘Uncle Fred’ Cab Sauvignon and Joan Picton Pinot Noir’s are a must try. They also sell good coffee to keep you or the driver going or you can pre-order a Vigneron’s platter. Outside, Maggie, the friendly Clydesdale horse remains from the days of old too and is always up for a pat.
1
Taradale Viaduct
When this beauty was built it was the largest rail bridge in Australia. Now the fantastic piece of engineering is a nice backdrop for a selfie, and a leg stretch. The bridge crosses the gully of Back Creek in Taradale, which was once full of life, and gold, but now it’s a small sleepy place famous for it’s wood fire pizza - but you’re on your way to the best bakery for hot cross buns so save your appetite, just get the snap.
2
The Good Loaf
There are so many things to love about this bakery, housed in an old Beaurepairs Tyre shop. First off, the hot cross buns were voted the best at the 2018 Baking Association of Australia’s Awards, so you can trust they’ll be lip smacking and far superior to any packet bought at Coles wrapped in too much cellophane. Aside from their world class baking and loaves of sourdough, The Good Loaf people have really good values. Their produce is local with a no waste policy and all leftovers are donated to Bendigo food share or sent out to chicken and sheep farms. They provide a place for electric vehicles to recharge and you get to sit on recycled furniture in the café while you enjoy some incredibly good hot cross buns. How good is that? They close at 4pm Saturday and make sure you buy some bread for the trip.
3
Golden Dragon Museum
Even if you don’t do a tour of this museum, you must get a photo by the giant lotus flower in the Dai Gum San forecourt. The Golden Dragon, built on the old Chinatown of Bendigo is a feast for the eyes, and houses beautifully carved furniture, costumes embroidered with gold bullion thread and unusual artefacts, some dating back to the Shang Dynasty 1600-1026 BC. There’s also the Yi Yuan Gardens and Guan Yin temple, which are ornate, and make you forget you’re in Victoria for a while.
However, if Shang isn’t your thang, then Bendigo Art Gallery provides a different cultural experience. This art gallery is over a century old but it doesn’t feel old. It’s one of the largest regional galleries in Australia and has a fine reputation for housing national and international exhibitions. Some pieces are 19th Century classic British and European paintings and sculptures, and other works of art are contemporary including pieces by: Patricia Piccinini, Bill Henson, Dale Frank, Jan Nelson, Fiona Hall, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Kit Webster and Benjamin Armstrong.
5
The Restorers Barn
You’re heading to Sovereign Hill, which will take you back in time, but why not warm up in the 19th Century in this crazy old barn that’s now a shop. It’s packed to the gunwales with treasures chosen for their look and feel of early Australian homes and takes ‘retro’ to the next level. If you’re a collector or renovator or builder or designer then you’ll lose more than five minutes in here. If not, find something weird or intriguing to remember your road trip by.
It wouldn’t be Easter without some chocolate. Inside this straw-bale building is a Willy Wonka heaven with a Belgian twist. They make over 12,000 handcrafted chocolates every week using traditional European techniques, which you can get a sneak peak at through a window into the kitchen. They don’t use palm oil, there’s nothing artificial, just the real Belgian Couverture deal. And there’s a Hot Chocolate café too that sells award-winning hot chocolate. We didn’t even know hot chocolate had their own awards but they do, so here’s the place to try some.
7
Overwrought Sculpture Garden and Gallery
If you’re intrigued by artists who work with large hunks of metal then pull over and have a look around the Overwrought Sculpture Garden and Gallery. You’ll see metal statues of robots, ants, spaceships, swing bands, bugs, sax players and flowers - from tiny to huge. You could drop ten dollars or lose a few hundred here. Even if you don’t buy anything you’ll glean some good ideas for your own garden or house, or future garden or house.
8
Ballarat Yacht Club
You’ve been on the road for a while and eating outside overlooking a lake will really make you feel like you’re on holiday. Lake Wendouree was once a swamp (not so appetizing we know) but was transformed into a tranquil lake, even housing the 1956 Melbourne Olympics rowing and kayaking. Enjoy a lunch of delicious local fish or calamari on the deck of the Yacht Club, where you can spot others catching their lunch, and then there’s a 6 km walk around the lake. Or take the kids to the Challenge Playground on the west side to blow off some steam.
The Easter bunny may not visit Sovereign Hill but there’s still treasure to be hunted. This award-winning place slam dunks you back into the 1850s, where you can pan for real gold, explore an underground gold mine, watch a real gold pour where molten liquid gold is magically transformed into a gold bar, plus there’s a confectionary factory which is liquid gold for the kids. And if you really want to get into the theme you can dress up in 1850s outfits and blend in with the locals slash actors being paid to also dress up. It’s worth spending a night here, or nearby, so you can catch the multi-million dollar sound and light show, ‘Blood on the Southern Cross’. This impressive spectacle takes you through the Eureka rebellion, which was a bloody battle between gold miners and the government of Ballarat in 1854 that involved dramatic burnings and dawn attacks. Afterwards, you’ll be glad it’s the 2000s.
10
Sovereign Hill Hotel
The Sovereign Hotel’s booked up for Easter but if you do this trip another time book in here. Even the accommodation is in theme offering governor's rooms, sovereign rooms or colonial rooms.
11
Sovereign Park Motor Inn
It’s not the Ritz but this Motor Inn is clean and tidy and only 800 metres from Sovereign Hill and Ballarat City with an indoor heated pool, kids pool, two spas, gym, and tennis court.
12
Cubby Haus Brewing - Brewery and Bar
If you’re childfree then get yourself to Hop Temple in Ballarat. Housed down a laneway this brewery has excellent brews and food cooked by a local, very talented chef. But if you’ve got small people on this trip, then Cubby Haus Brewing is for you. It’s a family run brewery, run on passion. Everything’s brewed on the premises, the beer is excellent, and while the eclectic bar can entertain the adults there’s a play area for the little tykes.
You could leg it back to Melbourne, but after all the gold panning, chocolates, hot cross buns, brews and excitement, a small dogleg into the wilderness will round off this road trip. Werribee Gorge is rugged and wild and it’s easy to imagine eager gold miners flocking through this area or hiding out. Start at Meikles Point picnic area, where you can bust out some of the sourdough you bought yesterday, and do the Werribee River walk. It takes you to impressive views of the gorge and leads down to swimming holes – although if there’s been recent rain the water may be a little brown and murky looking, not so inviting.
Check park conditions before heading in.
Banner Photo Credit: Visit Victoria
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