Whilst exploring these smaller towns, visitors are surprised to find charming cottages and converted farming homesteads which offer an alternative to more conventional accommodation, with local restaurants and hotels featuring a variety of fine food and local wines to delight the senses.

Visiting farmers’ markets is a great way to sample some local produce; fresh organic vegetables and fruit, local wines, breads, conserves and honey are just some of the tasty treats in store for you.

Small galleries and treasured museums offer an insight of history and memorabilia from the past and visiting them is a great way to spend an afternoon. A walk through the surrounding box ironbark forests with remnants of the gold rush scattered amongst the trees will give you a sense of the area’s history.

Photographers and visual artists will find there is much to interest them. From the impressive architecture of a bygone era, the soft golden light sweeping across the forest floor, cheeky parrots in the trees, ruins of a once grand farm to the rusting machinery in the paddocks — all are great for that special shot.

Any time is a good time to visit the Central Goldfields but autumn and spring are still favourite seasons with their cooler weather and beautiful, bright sunny days that are perfect for sight seeing, discovering new towns or just relaxing with fine food and a glass of local wine.