Things to do in Creswick
There is always something to do in Creswick
Natural beauty, delicious local produce, boutique wineries: Creswick has it all!
Explore activities to complete your CresFest weekend. Better yet, come visit our town beyond the festival weekend – we’d love to welcome you.
Read on to learn what’s on in and around the town.
Drinking and Dining
From melt-in-the-mouth pastries at Le Peche Gourmand to pub-style options at The American and Farmers Arms Hotels –there’s something for everyone in Creswick. Head over to our drinking and dining page to find out more.
Kids and Families
We here at CresFest love sharing the joy of music with kids and adults alike and ensure we program something to suit everyone. From workshops to performances; from markets to magical story readings at the library; from face painting to roaming interactive percussionists. The best news is these events are all free for kids 12 and under.
Check out our kids and families page for more details.
Nature, walks and
outdoor activities
Explore the great outdoors in the Goldfields region of Victoria.
There is so much to see and do.
Beneath the rolling hills of this district are long buried underground streams full of gold! The Creswick Visitor Information Centre has a self-guided driving tour available for $2 that guides you passed historic mining operations that once produced wealth for some beyond their wildest dreams.
Click HERE for more details
Creswick Regional Park
Centrally located between Ballarat and Daylesford, the Creswick Regional Park is home to a variety of native wildlife and colourful spring wildflowers.
Explore the ancient hills and discover the relics of the gold mining era on a bushwalk or mountain bike ride - or simply relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings with a picnic by tranquil St Georges Lake.
Golf at
Designed by renowned Australian golf course architect Tony Cashmore, the 18-hole, par-72 course promises a fun round for avid and occasional golfers alike. Following the natural peaks and slopes of the land, this challenging course boasts well-placed bunkers, lagoons and sloping fairways set amongst native vegetation and tall eucalypts.
Walking trails
There are many enjoyable walks in and around Creswick for all abilities. Please call into the Visitor Information Centre at 43 Albert Street (Midland Highway), to pick up walking trail brochures.
Creswick Heritage Walk
As part of the CresFest the Great Dividing Trail Association will be leading a ‘Creswick Heritage Walk’ on Saturday and Sunday mornings of the Festival. Prior booking will be required for these walks, along with $5 cash to cover insurance. Click HERE for more information.
Victoria's spectacular Goldfields region is cross-crossed with cycling paths, from cruisy rail trails to adrenalin-charged mountain bike tracks. And every trail leads to a quaint historic town, rich in gold rush history and studded with cafes, galleries, spas and shops to explore.
Wineries
From the lush pinot noirs to bright chardonnays to thirst-quenching ciders, you will find the best selection of handcrafted organic
wines. These include sparkling white and red, unoaked and oaked chardonnay, rose, pinot noir, lagrein and verjuice - a method champenoise sparkling apple cider and two farmhouse style apple ciders.
Captain Creek's inviting cellar door offers delicious lunches served on Saturday and Sunday. The seasonal menu showcases Captains Creek's farm fresh produce direct from the paddock to your plate. In these red volcanic soils, a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, free range chickens, dorpa sheep and black angus cattle grow.
970 Coghills Creek Road, Coghills Creek VIC,
Mt Coghill is a small vineyard in the Ballarat Region of Victoria, Australia specialising in chardonnay and pinot noir.
The Vineyard was established by Ian and Marg Pym who planted cold climate vines including chardonnay and pinot noir. 1500 Pinot Noir rootlings were planted in 1995 and then 450 Chardonnay vines were planted in 1996.
The vineyard is planted on red volcanic soil which produces a fruit driven wine. The vines are tended to by hand, the grapes are hand picked in late April and the small batch wines including Rose, Pinot Noir, Blancde Blanc, Blancde Noir and Sparkling Rose are being produced.
(03) 5343 4207
The vineyard was established in 1984/85 and is planted with premium grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of which a range of these wines are made under their label.
Their wines have won over 73 Awards in way of Gold, Silver or Bronze medals at various Wine Shows, and also the first Ballarat Winery to be awarded a Trophy at the Ballarat Wine Show for best White Table Wine for the region.
Coghills Creek Road, Walsh Block
1037 Coghills Creek Road, Coghills Creek.
0490 831 938
Over 20 years ago, Kerry and Frank Walsh planted their vineyard on Coghills Creek Road. It is single vineyard, small batch and family owned.
To celebrate this milestone, in 2018 they produced their first Sparkling Blanc de Noir using traditional methods.
On CresFest Weekend, they will be open by appointment for tastings and sales of their 2018 Vintage Sparkling Blanc de Noir. You will be able to speak to Kerry and Frank about their wine, twenty years in the making!
Call on 0490 831 938 to make a booking - savour every drop and enjoy in good company.
History, arts
and culture
The Museum is housed in the old Creswick Town Hall. A National Trust building built in 1876. Of particular interest are the architectural features of the building - the basalt staircase and the wrought iron of the cantilever balcony.
The Creswick of the Lindsays Arts Trail comprises 24 sites weaving through 7.6 kms of the town, and includes the Creswick cemetery where seven members of the family lie. The content focuses on the relationship of the Lindsay children to Creswick and highlights the sites and buildings that have significance to the Lindsay family. Each sign is built of material chosen for its durability and aesthetics and with three amazing glass panels which feature paintings by Norman Lindsay.
Each site provides a description explaining why the site is important to the family. Many include QR codes allowing you to access further information on your mobile device.
RACV ArtHouse: Located at RACV Goldfields Resort (CresFest’s accommodation partner), ArtHouse is a new building housing exhibitions, workshops, and artist residencies. Open to RACV Members, the public and guests of RACV Goldfields Resort, ArtHouse creates memorable experiences by producing unique exhibitions and workshops for all to participate in.
Maze House is great outdoor fun for kids, families, garden lovers, couples on a romantic weekend, the young at heart and anyone who loves playing games and a bit of competition! Little kids love finding all the clues in the maze hunt to win a prize and competing with their parents at games hidden around every corner. Everyone loves getting lost in the beautifully manicured hedge maze. When that is done, there’s fun to be had mastering the original old time carnival games dotted throughout the garden.
Playgrounds, picnics
and BBQs
Magic Pudding Playground
Location: Raglan Street, Creswick.
This playground celebrates Norman Lindsay's famous children's book The Magic Pudding, and includes a cubby house, swings, stepping stones, the Salt Junk Sarah boat and a sandpit.
The enclosed and secure playground, situated between the two Raglan Streets running east and west, (just up from the centre of Creswick) will bring the story of the Magic Pudding to life. There’s a wooden boat and a cubby house where, in the kid-friendly park parents and children can roam freely, enjoying a picnic, relaxing or making up their own adventures to add to their memories.
Creswick Splash Park
Location: Albert Street (Midland Highway), Creswick, opposite the Visitor Information Centre.
The Splash Park is operated by Hepburn Shire Council and the water equipment is open during the summer months. Other features include skate ramps, a climbing wall, a basketball/netball hoop, and outdoor gym equipment for adults. There are shade sails for shelter from the sun on hot days.
Bridge Street Playground
Location: Corner Bridge Street & Castlemaine Road (Midland Highway), Creswick.
This is a fully equipped playground with newly installed equipment, and is located close to Park Lake. There are toilets nearby. The playground is not fenced.
Calembeen Park
Situated alongside the Caravan Park in Cushing Avenue, only about 1 km from the Post Office, this venue offers excellent family friendly facilities, especially in summer with the popular water features including the diving tower, boating platform and toddlers pool. There are three picturesque lakes that are home to birdlife and displays of waterlilies. There is even a paddling pool for young children. The electric BBQ is free to use.
Park Lake
Park Lake is a stunning space easily accessible from Creswick town centre, with a gentle walking trail around the perimeter, and a beautiful fountain at its centre.
Visit the upper section of the Park Lake Reserve to see the plantings and indigenous gardens that have been created by the local Landcare Group. Here you will find public tennis courts (your can borrow rackets and balls for free from the Creswick Visitors Centre), public toilets, a playground, undercover picnic area and a lovely place to explore.
St Georges Lake
Popular St Georges Lake was once a mining dam, today it is a great summer base for water activities.
A great picnic spot. Serene and peaceful. Two BBQ facilities and picnic benches. Great for swimming and fishing as well! Free gas barbecues and toilets are provided in the main picnic area.
There is a walking track around the lake, offering generally good accessibility. A reasonable level of fitness is required for the whole walk. However, there are wheelchair accessible ramps to both the picnic area and a viewing platform further around the Lake.
Shopping in Creswick
A proud CresFest partner
A proud Australian business for over 70 years, Creswick Woollen Mills is the place for luxurious, natural fibre Homewares and Womens or Mens Clothing and Accessories.
Made from an array of high-quality natural fibres such as Alpaca, Merino Wool, New Zealand Possum and Cashmere just to name a few, look no further than Creswick Woollen Mills for your clothing, homewares, accessories and gifts.
Kate, Cassandra and Catherine
Tin Can Collective
Mid Century Modern furniture and other treasures
Hours: Wednesday to Friday: 11.00am-4.00pm
Saturday: 10.00am-4.00pm
Sunday: 11.30am-3.00pm
Phone: 0425 716 544Mobile: 0425 716 544
Contact Name: Tim Drylie
Address: 55 Albert St, Creswick VIC 3363, Australia
Email: info@tincancollective.com.au
Website: www.tincancollective.com.au/
Creswick Pharmacy
Phone: 03 5345 1237
Mobile: 03 5345 1347
Address: 58 Albert St, Creswick VIC 3363, Australia
Email: info@creswickpharmacy.com.au
Website: www.creswickpharmacy.com.au
Davies & Rose Rural Hardware
Davies & Rose Rural & Hardware is a local rural supplier and hardware store based in Creswick that services Creswick and the surrounding towns
Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday 9:00am - 1:00pm
The Farmers Wife
0428 565 445
49 Albert St
Creswick, Vic
The Farmer's Wife first opened her doors in November 2015 after discovering the beautiful old 1880's building earlier that year. Triple fronted bay windows either side of the big old front door proudly standing on the original bluestone porch was all it took for Bec Mason to fall in love. Instantly she knew this Farmer's Wife had a destiny within the walls of this grand old girl.
Creswick Flowers at Olicartia
81A Albert St, Creswick VIC 3363
Hours: Tues to Friday 9am to 4pm
Saturday 9.00am to 2pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
Phone: 0468 613 650
Email: simonebroad@bigpond.com
Website: www.creswickflowers.com.au
Lucky Monkey Blacksmith
Ernie Terry is an artist Blacksmith, with a Forge / gallery at 5/38 Albert Street Creswick.
Terry creates a variety of metal works using predominantly blacksmithing techniques, with a forge, hammers and anvil.
His work consists of mostly nature based themes, leaves and branches, tree shapes, that come from spending some years in forests as a fire-fighter, as well as exploring them.
HOURS:
Mon - Tues :Closed
Wed - Fri :8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat:8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Sun:8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: 0407 610 310
Website: https://luckymonkeyblacksmith.com.au/
Salvation Army Thrift Shop
97 Albert Street, Creswick
Open Friday and Saturday 10 – 3
The thrift shop is staffed by some amazing volunteers who have made a commitment to donate their time as all money raised goes back into the community to support people in need.
There is a range of men’s, women’s, children’s and vintage pre-loved clothing as well as books, dvds, Manchester, bric a brac and items you never knew you wanted until you saw them on the shelves.
Recycle Central
Pop up shop at Creswick Cube
Raglan Street, Creswick
Saturday 9 – 2
Recycle Central raises money for the Creswick Railway Workshop to ensure the historic buildings are maintained.
A great range of books, clothing and bric a brac, staffed by a wonderful team of volunteers.
Creswick Post Office
Hours: Monday 9am–5pm
Tuesday 9am–5pm
Wednesday 9am–5pm
Thursday 9am–5pm
Friday 9am–5pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Phone: 5345 2504
Address: 81 Albert St, Creswick VIC 3363, Australia
Email: creswicklpo@gmail.com
Photos by Adam Purcell - Melbourne Ceili Camera, Bruce Rigby, Terry Hope, Fiona Watson and Rachel TurnerFor more information about Creswick Creswick Business and Tourism
You might also like to check out our kids and families page