From cosy wine bars and fine dining restaurants, to secluded stays and sweet treats, here is a hit list of where to go when you want to spoil that special someone.

Dinner for two

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to dine in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges. Our region is home to an impressive number of chef hatted and award winning restaurants, all serving incredible cuisine, matched with exceptional service – the perfect date night combination. Hot tip: make sure you book ahead, these venues often book out well in advance.

• Lake House, Daylesford
• Kadota, Daylesford
• Sault Restaurant, Daylesford
• Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford
• Bistro Terroir, Daylesford
• The Boathouse Restaurant, Daylesford
• The Argus Dining Room, Hepburn Springs
• The Surly Goat, Hepburn Springs
• Le Bouchon at Attwoods, Glenlyon
• Passing Clouds Winery, Musk
• Marchesa, Kyneton
• Kuzu Izakaya, Woodend
• Mount Monument, Romsey
• Mount Macedon Winery, Woodend
• Mount Towrong Vineyard, Mount Macedon

Cosy wine bars and cool cocktails

Get cosy with your special someone at one of the regions many wine bars and cocktail lounges. Sip on some local sparkling wine paired with a grazing platter, or go for an expertly crafted cocktail featuring locally distilled gin.

• • Woodend Cellar & Bar, Woodend
  • Gindu Distillery Door, Woodend
  • 600 Above, Woodend
  • Botanik, Kyneton
  • Still Moon House, Trentham
  • Bar Merenda, Daylesford
  • Betel Boy, Daylesford
  • Hepburn Distillery, Daylesford
  • Winespeake Cellar + Deli, Daylesford

Outdoor Adventure

If your main squeeze happens to be adventurous, we’ve got some cool outdoor activities in the fresh, open air too:

• Hike to the summit of Hanging Rock, you’ll feel on top of the world standing atop of the rock with your love by your side.
• Go for a splash at one of the regions many waterholes, top picks include Vaughan Springs and Jubilee Lake – the latter of which you can hire out canoes and paddle boats for a romantic paddle across the water.
• Get cosy as you watch the sun sink over the surrounding hills. Check out our guide for the best spots to watch the sunset.
• Pack a picnic and take a wander through one of our historic botanic gardens. Take your pick from Kyneton Botanic Gardens, Malmsbury Botanic Gardens, Castlemaine Botanic Gardens or Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Grab a ready to go picnic from Daylesford Gourmet, which is full of local goodies.

Secluded Stays

The rolling hills, lush forests and verdant countryside lends itself to plenty of locations for a secluded and romantic stay. Pack your bags and leave the hustle and bustle of your busy life behind as you and your loved one settle in at one of these romantic abodes:

• Fellcroft Farmstay, Cobaw
• Acre of Roses, Trentham
• Little Wren Cottage, Romsey
• Viola, Hepburn Springs (managed by Daylesford Country Retreats)
• Braeside Mt Macedon
• Hanging Rock Views, Woodend
• Lumella, Bullarto (managed by Dayget)
• Little Hampton Farm, Little Hampton
• Norsu Cabin, Macedon (managed by Discover Daylesford)
• Malmsbury Barn House, Malmsbury

Why camp when you can glamp

Whether you want romantic sunsets, remote natural beauty or somewhere to gaze at the starlit sky with your lover by your side, you’ll find plenty of luxury romantic glamping locations around here:

• Cosy Tents, Yandoit
• Daylesford Glamping
• Garden of St Erth, Blackwood
• Lawson Lodge, Macedon 
• Big 4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park, Castlemaine 
• Skyview Bubbletent, Eganstown

Something sweet

Now we couldn’t have a Valentine’s Day list without including some sweet treats. And luckily, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to locally made chocolate and decadent treats in our region. Top picks include:

• The Chocolate Mill, Mt Franklin
• Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company
• Le Peche Gourmand, Creswick
• Cabosse & Feve, Castlemaine
• Sisko Chocolate, Kyneton
• Twankey’s Café, Clunes
• Sweet Decadence at Locantro, Daylesford

Flowers

Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a beautiful floral creation. In Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, we are home to some of the best slow flower growers in the country. Some of our favourites include:

• Fleurs de Lyonville, Lyonville
• Spring Hill Peony Farm, Spring Hill
• Loganberry Farm, Korweinguboora
• Little Flower Stall, Woodend
• Woodend Flower Farm

Check out a full list of flower growers, stockists and florists here.

Come for the weekend…or longer

Make the most of our summer specials and snag yourself a Valentine’s Day deal and truly treat your loved one. Choose from bonus night stays, dining discounts, massage and bathing specials, plus lots more! Check out our Summer Deals here.

Featured image: Acre of Roses