Grandpa’s Guide to Driving in Castlemaine

Hey kids! Your favorite Granddad again with another adventurous guide. This time, it's Castlemaine! A former gold mining town, Castlemaine is located in the Goldfields region of Victoria. It is about 120 kilometers northwest from Melbourne, about 40 kilometers from the major provincial centre of Bendigo, and situated in a valley at the junction of three creeks.

Castlemaine was named by the chief goldfield commissioner, Captain W. Wright, in honor of his Irish uncle, Viscount Castlemaine.

In 1851, Castlemaine boomed as a gold town. And ever since, it has become a major regional centre known for its industrial and cultural institutions (including the Theatre Royal which is the oldest continuously operating theatre in mainland Australia).

Castlemaine’s historic streetscapes depict its enormously wealthy gold mining days. And here are some of the magnificent places that one should really visit while in Castlemaine:

1. The Buda Historic Home & Garden

The Buda Historic Home & Garden was built in 1861. It was occupied by Ernest Leviny, a silversmith, and his family. And after 118 years, their family has made the house a very significant place in Castlemaine.

Buda is one of the great heritage possessions of the goldfields region. The house, with a large art and crafts collection, furnishings, and domestic effects, is surrounded by an enthralling 2-hectare garden. The garden is one of the largest 19th century suburban gardens which are left in Victoria.

2. Castlemaine Diggings National Park

The Catlemaine Diggings National Park covers an area of about 7,500 hectares! It stretches from the north of Chewton and to the south through Fryerstown and Vaughan Spring areas. And most of its vicinity is covered with Box-Ironbark forests which are harvested to supply timber and fuel for mines and other local industries.

3. Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

During 1860, 25 hectares of gold diggings along the Bankers Creek were set aside for the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens.

The Castlemaine Botanical Gardens feature ancient oak trees, vibrant garden beds, vast open lawns, a rotunda, and Lake Joanna. The Gardens is also known as one of Victoria’s oldest public gardens.

Castlemaine, a place not just rich in gold but also of beautiful places! If you’ll need a car for the trip, just visit Castlemaine Car Rental and be ready to see one of the many wonderful places in Victoria, Australia.

-Granddad Benjamin