Castlemaine Trip Report 24-28 March, 2025 – Margaret Monk.
35 Probus members arrived at Castlemaine settling in over the afternoon before joining each other for happy hour followed by BBQ tea.
The next morning was fine and sunny as was each day that followed— exactly what we had hoped for.
Tuesday morning we car pooled to Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm — a sprawling 100 acres of historic stone buildings, farm animals including Highland & Swiss brown cows, emus, alpacas, geese and chickens. The lavender was almost finished but we could wander amongst the rows. There were many buildings and extensive gardens where weddings are held and even a large statue of Jesus with outstretched arms on the hill. Our morning tea of lavender scones with tea or coffee was ready and waiting for us in a lovely sunny, semi outdoor building covered in vines. Bess then gathered us together and told us the very interesting history of the farm and the Italian couple who chose to make that area their home for many, many years. A shop was available to purchase anything Lavender. All of the men rushed down there to buy gifts for their wives!!
Lunch was at the Royal Daylesford Hotel and a walk around the lake for those who chose to. Bee Herry walked the 2.9ms right around the lake.
Happy Hour brought us all together and then we adjourned to the Railway Hotel down the road for dinner. It is a lovely little low roofed, wood lined 1800s-era pub with vintage knick-knacks & historic artefacts. Unfortunately for us Tuesday night was not a quiet night meaning that our meals were nice but took quite a long while to come.
Wednesday saw us all descend on the Blackbird Café for morning tea. Lots of noisy chatter and laughter followed. A lovely little café with prompt service. Then we all travelled to Maldon to wander around through the shops and museums. It was expected that we would go on the vintage train trip but a couple of months ago the railway committee decided to change the days the train ran which made it unavailable for us. Everyone found their own lunch.
Later in the afternoon some of the members visited Rod Hadfield’s Hot Rod Museum — a beautiful display of many hot rods with dozens of trophies and framed photos signed by celebrities. We were shown a small metal model car about 8′ long that Rod’s grandfather had made and Rod was not allowed to touch. He vowed he would build one someday. When he did, he actually built a full size roadster car from the bottom up that resembles his grandfather’s model car.
Happy Hour, of course, followed and then fish & chips or pizza at the Bush Hut together in our Holiday Park. Then followed our ‘make your own fun’ evening with recitals from Philip and Brenda, many jokes, a ‘my most embarrassing moments’ story, wonderful tales of younger years and our very own women’s barber shop quartet serenaded us. Dave told us a joke that went wrong but was even funnier that way! Thank you to everyone who contributed. It is amazing what us oldies can come up with!!
Thursday morning we descended on the Das Kaffeehaus café over the road from the Park for morning tea sitting in lovely red leather booths. Our coffee was delivered in mega size cups with large portions of apple strudel, cream and ice cream —a delicious over the top indulgence enjoyed by many. There were lots of smiling faces and happy tummies when we left the café.
Not far away was our next destination — Buda House, an historic property bought in 1863 and occupied for 118 years by 2 generations of the Leviny family — Ernest & Bertha raising 10 children with only one of the 6 daughters marrying. The girls who lived at home were all heavily into arts and crafts many of which were on display. The gardens contained many rare trees.
A light lunch of salad and hot chicken & potato followed by special biscuits, tea and coffee was in a sunny, side room of Buda House. Our afternoon was spent at The Convent in Daylesford, a huge rambling mansion previously housing nuns but now devoted to weddings, history, gifts and a large, eclectic display of art and a café.
Happy Hour again, of course —a busy day deserves a wine (or two). Then we went for tea at a local Hotel. Unfortunately the Hotel was not able to cope with our numbers, rushed the meals and took forever to deliver them. Not the ending to our trip that was expected. I received a beautiful card, hand made by a friend of Marion’s and a voucher for organising the trip from everyone on the trip. A huge thank you to all of you who contributed. It was a pleasure to organise the trip and wonderful to spend time with good friends who showed their support and appreciation in spades. Thank you to every one of you.