For a quick, beautiful escape, Macedon Ranges offers leisurely walks that Cameron and I favour – easy and rewarding. Only an hour away from Melbourne, it’s a win-win.
Camel’s Hump
A twenty-minute drive from our train carriage accommodation, Camel’s Hump is the highest point in the Macedon Ranges. Best part? The viewing platform is only a 500-metre meander. It is a steep climb but very manageable, especially if you use the excuse of taking photos for frequent stops.
On clear days, a magnificent view is promised but it was overcast on our visit so instead it was a bit of a heavenly scene (gum tree heaven). We were literally in the clouds.
Sanatorium Lake
An even easier walk is to Sanatorium Lake. It’s a quick drive from Camel’s Hump and Macedon Ranges seem to cater to our fitness levels as the lake was a mere 232 metres from the carpark.
Like truly beautiful people who grow on you, Sanatorium Lake requires you to go deeper than the surface to appreciate its unassuming beauty. Look closely and let the reflections mesmerize.
Woodend
After all that walking (1,464 metres), we headed onto Woodend for lunch at Holgate Brewhouse. The meatballs and garlic bread combination was superb, making me re-evaluate if it should be my new favourite.
Bookshops and florists always draw us. Nothing beats the feel of real books (as opposed to digital ones) and who can resist beautiful arrangements? New Leaves Bookshop and Flowers in a Vase are both worth a visit. The florist, Arnie Way, was super friendly and the shop was beautifully set-up!
It doesn’t take long for us get hungry so we soon found ourselves sipping a hot chocolate in Il Caffe, a cute little corner coffee shop. They had old, black and white photos on the wall and with music from the 50s playing in the background, it was a fitting end to our weekend getaway.
Story and Photography by Rachel & Cameron Herweynen, camh.co