Daylesford: Emerging Queer-Friendly Destination in Australia

December 28, 2023 Kwin Mosby

It’s no surprise that Sydney gets a lot of attention as a popular destination because of large LGBTQ+ events such as the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, but Daylesford, Victoria, is becoming a new star destination for queer travelers.

Located a one-and-a-half-hour drive southwest of Melbourne, Daylesford continues to attract LGBTQ+ travelers due in part to its combination of nature, food, wine, growing queer community, and its own local events, including Daylesford Beartopia and the Chillout Festival, conveniently scheduled next year a couple of days after the Sydney World Pride ends.

Several same-sex couples call Daylesford home, according to a 2016 Census report that lists the town as a top 10 destination in Australia for same-sex female couples, according to RealEstate.com.au. Drag queen and real estate pro, Polly Filla, describes the attraction to the town. “It’s country living and a more relaxed pace, but still close to the city, plus it has quite a large LGBTIQ population so there isn’t that sense of isolation,” said Filla. “Lots of people I know run their own spa retreats or B&Bs up there.”

The town has its share of queer-owned businesses, too! Vacationers visit Daylesford because of its mineral springs, where they can bathe in the mineral water in some beautiful bathhouses and spas like the gay co-owner Benny Pettersson’s award-winning Daylesford Day Spa which offers patrons a range of massages, body treatments, facials, and spa packages using organic Australian products.

If you’re lucky enough to make it to Australia, you might want to consider a visit to Daylesford. With that in mind, we connected with Daylesford Macedon Tourism to pull together this quick list of queer-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and attractions that LGBTQ+ vacationers should experience in addition to the town’s annual hosted LGBTQ+ events.

Where to Stay

One of the town’s most famous LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations, Hotel Frangos offers charm and luxury. What more could a queen or king want, right? It has an onsite café and bar that serves everything from full breakfast buffets and fine dining to regional wines and handcrafted cocktails. Modern rooms, the Endota spa, and the vine-covered Agora Courtyard are a few highlights of the property.

Highly recommended Lake House Daylesford features a variety of accommodations including lodge studios, waterfront pool studios, lodge suites, waterfront suites, The Sutton Suite as well as separate accommodations. The luxe hotel is located on the shores of Lake Daylesford and also features the award-winning Lake House Restaurant, a five-star dining experience created to “support local growers and suppliers to create the best in locally sourced food.” Reservations are required and hotel packages are available.

(Photo Credit: Lake House Daylesford) — (Photo Credit: Hotel Frangos)

Check into the historic Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel in nearby Hepburn Springs for its Stuart Rattle-designed interiors, tranquil gardens, and spacious accommodations including self-contained villas. Another option for out-of-towners is The Dudley Boutique Hotel, which has received numerous awards from Booking.com, Trivago, and TripAdvisor. Built in the 1930s, the recently remodeled boutique hotel is only a three-minute drive from Daylesford, and it is also perfect for a romantic getaway or a relaxing retreat.

For other accommodation rentals, you may want to also consider finding a place to stay via recommended sites, Daylesford Country Retreats or Daylesford Getaways.

(Photo Credit: Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel)

Where to Eat

As mentioned previously, Lake House Restaurant is a recommended must-try place to eat when visiting the Daylesford area as well as the Daylesford Hotel, a low-key popular spot for Australian country pub staples such as chicken parma, crispy skin barramundi, and duck pappardelle with a range of imported beers and an exceptional wine list.

If you’re looking for a great brunch place with character, you should consider Cliffy’s Emporium, named after Cliffy Hauser’s general store, which opened in the 1950s. Enjoy brunch favorites like Cliffy’s Benedict, Country Breakfast, or the egg & bacon roll on a Turkish roll smothered in cheese.

(Photo Credit: Derek Salwell / Cliffy's Emporium ) — (Photo Credit: The Daylesford Hotel)

There’s no shortage of sustainable restaurants in the Daylesford-Macedon area. Named for the French village of Sault near Avignon, Sault Restaurant is located on a 125-acre estate outside of town that offers patrons seasonal contemporary Australian cuisine. Its seasonal menu is designed to incorporate the freshest ingredients and produce thanks to its onsite kitchen gardens and relationships with regional organic farms and producers. Guests can sample the restaurant’s exquisite tastes via a seasonal three- or four-course menu as well as a seven-course tasting menu.

Italian restaurant Beppe, French-inspired Bistro Terrior, and Kadota Restaurant, which serves Japanese flavors with locally sourced menu items such as Mud Crab, Sashimi, and Full Blood Sher Wagyu Sirloin.

(Photo Credit: Beppe Kitchen + Bar) — (Photo Credit: Sault Restaurant)

Things to Do

Relax and unwind in several wellness properties that draw locals and tourists to their mineral spring features like the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa and The Mineral Spa. After Beartopia or Chillout Festival, you deserve a little pampering at the LGBTQ+-owned Daylesford Day Spa!

Check out the town’s local and nearby markets for a little shopping. Visit the Amazing Mills Markets for vintage clothing, furniture, art, jewelry, and more. On Sunday, vacationers can visit the Sunday Markets held on the Daylesford Railway Station between Cliffy’s Emporium and The Farmers Arms Hotel. Open from 8 am to 1 pm, this farmers market has more than 100 vendors selling everything from dog treats to produce to spirits. Food trucks selling bratwurst will help quell your hunger, and for queer families with children, a petting zoo and bouncy castle will keep kids engaged while you shop.

(Photo Credit: Amazing Mills Market) — (Photo Credit: Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa)

For wine connoisseurs interested in checking out local wines, Passing Clouds Winery, located in Musk (a 10-minute drive from town), is known for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noirs, and some additional Shiraz and Cabernets. Enjoy a wine tasting at its Cellar Door while taking in the beautiful landscape and views of the vineyard.

Queer travelers can visit the award-winning Daylesford Cider Company which touts using 100% fresh apple juice from their orchards without adding any additional sugar. Earlier this year (2022), it received the “Best Traditional Cider” award at the National Australia Cider Awards. Two reasons to visit this local cider company.

(Photo Credit: Daylesford Cider Company) — (Photo Credit: Passing Clouds Winery)

For entertainment, The Palais Hepburn is an intimate live music venue that has a wine and cocktail bar. And if you want a relaxing getaway, you can spend a day on the Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, a lavender farm with 100 acres of gardens, La Trattoria Eatery and Bar, and farm animals, including bantams, sheep, alpacas, two emus, geese, and Mirella, a highland cow. Just don’t forget to stock up on some of the handcrafted aromatherapy products created on the farm.