Weekend in Daylesford

As a 'reward' for finishing his study for the year, I took J away last weekend to Daylesford. I think everyone knows Daylesford, but in brief, it is a small town in the spa district of western Victoria. The best thing about Daylesford is the food and wine that is sold there and throughout the surrounding areas. We stayed in a lovely cottage called the 'Acorn' which was particularly romantic due to the enormous spa bath right in the middle of the lounge room! very decadent.
We arrived on Friday afternoon and while I was picking up the keys to the cottage I noticed that my favourite place to eat was closed until the following week! Dissapointment abounded... I had discovered Breakfast and Beer in 2005 when I went away to Daylesford on a girls weekend, and had been building it up ever since. Poor J was rather distraught...

Luckily it didn't take us long to find a suitable place to ponder our predicament. A new establishment presented itself very close to our accommodation - lucky us! The place is a wine bar called 'The Perfect Drop', the proprieters are a young couple (and their two dogs) who specialise in local wine and beer (but also make a mean Coffee Vodka Martini). The feeling is casual, seating in the outdoor front courtyard is at reclaimed timber trestle tables and reclaimed St Kilda Primary School chairs!
That evening, we decided to eat in the cottage. We went to the Gourmet Larder and bought some Almond Stuffed Olives, Blue Brie, Trout Pate, Proscuttio, and a packet of $9 bite-sized pieces of Lavosh... which we took home (after another quick stop at the Perfect Drop...and ate in the spa!










On Saturday we ate a breakfast that had been provided by the cottage - Bacon, Eggs, Toast, Bircher Muesli with Yogurt and fruit, and coffee. Then we set out for a day of local foodie pleasures.









First stop was the Tuki Trout farm where as well as farming trout, they make beautiful take-away items including Whole Smoked Trout, Trout Pate, and various other bits and pieces. Of course you are also able to catch your own trout which they will expertly clean, fillet, and pack for you to take home. They also grow a special breed of sheep called a 'Tukidale' which is mainly used as a carpet wool sheep but which we found also tastes really good in a lamb pie (available at Tuki Trout Farm).







After Tuki we headed on to the old gold town of Clunes. On approaching the town, we at first thought that the entire town had been abducted by aliens or struck down by a 'Day of the Triffids' type incident - then we saw the sign, it was Show Day. Unfortunately the entry fee of $12 per adult did not manage to entice us in - we only had half an hour to spare.

After Clunes we headed back to Daylesford and up to the Convent Gallery. We had received a 2-for-1 entry coupon with our accommodation, so we went and had a look at the art galleries and the museum. My favourite part of the galleries was the old infirmary room right up in the top of the Convent - not sure how they got sick old nuns up there, but I'm pretty sure they never came down under their own steam again. After the tour we sat outside in the lovely bar courtyard and had a nice drink in the sun, and being entertained by the view of a wedding party who were arriving and preening close by.

On Saturday evening we missed out on a table at the highly recommended Farmers Arms restaurant - mainly due to a lengthy stop-off at the Perfect Drop on the way - oh well, next time, and ended up having dinner at the Hotel. Not known for its cuisine, the hotel makes up for this by providing a fantastic balcony where one can dine and drink at leisure while taking in the sunset over the town and surrounding district.

On Sunday morning after packing and returning the key, we headed up to Cliffy's, a cafe/providore a few minutes outside of Daylesford. Cliffy's had been recommended by our new best friends at The Perfect Drop, so we knew we couldn't go far wrong. On our first approach there were no tables available outside, but after a quick turn around the adjacent Daylesford Markets, a table opened up and we grabbed it. There is quite a limited menu, but what is done is done really well. I had the Baked Eggs and Beans (I ate it so fast I forgot to take a picture until after I was finished...), while J had the 'Surprise Me Breakfast' which consisted of most everything you could ask for on a big-breakfast plate.

After breakfast we got on the road and started our slow way back to Melbourne. I had one last place I wanted to take J on the way home - a winery that had made a big impression on me last time I had come through this way. The winery is called 'Big Shed' and last time I was here I had a fantastic time with the owners Ken and Miranda Jones who had with humour and knowledge guided my friends and I through their amazing range of wines. This time, J and I started off under the guidance of Ken (Miranda was away doing a tasting somewhere else) when he was called away and left us in the hands of their son - Felix. I must say that I had been warned about Felix by his parents on my last visit, but he certainly lived up and over my high expectations. What a funny couple of hours J and I had there with Felix last Sunday afternoon. I would certainly recommend to anyone who likes good wine and good company that a visit to the Big Shed be high on your list of priorities, I will definitely be back again at the Big Shed on any flimsy excuse I can conjure up!Home then to Melbourne in time for Sunday dinner and a soak in the bath. An unforgettable weekend.