Castlemaine

WHERE ARE YOU & WHAT’S NEARBY

The Northern Arts Hotel is located within easy strolling distance of the beautiful Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, The Mill Castlemaine artisan precinct and the Bridge Hotel. The deliciously renowned Johnny Baker is also on your doorstep (seriously!). The Northern Arts Hotel is an excellent base to explore the many riches of the central Victoria region, whether it be Maldon, Harcourt, Newstead or even, Bendigo, Kyneton and Ballarat.

A tiny bit further afield in town, you can walk, ride or drive to Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine Art Museum, the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, and many walks exploring the ancient and more recent landscape and its beautiful flora and fauna.

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

The Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre is located in the historic Market Building in central Mostyn Street. The Centre hosts a changing art exhibition and has the latest news and details of what’s on in Castlemaine, nearby towns and further afield. It has many detailed walks and tours that can be taken using Castlemaine as your base.

During these changeable and challenging times, a stop here is highly recommended to check your plans or investigate current options.
Hours: 9-5pm every day [Closed Christmas Day]. Contact: 180 171 888 or 03 5471 1795

CASTLEMAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS

A short walk from the Northern Arts Hotel, the Botanical Garden is great for a walk, jog, picnic, play or just a stroll to look at the beautiful flora and fauna, a mixture of historic European and indigenous trees and plants, some listed on Victoria’s Significant Tree Register. The Garden is also directly opposite The Mill Castlemaine.

THE MILL CASTLEMAINE

Across from the Botanical Gardens is The Mill. Starting as the Castlemaine Woollen Mill in 1875 and finishing as Victoria Carpets in 2013, The Mill has transformed into a place for food and artisan manufacturing, a part of Castlemaine’s vibrancy.

The complex includes a food precinct including Das Kaffeehaus and The Taproom, Sprout Bakery, chocolatier, and cheese maker; an artisan precinct with all sorts of arts and hidden spaces, a vintage clothing and goods precinct home of Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar and Platform No. 5, a wellness precinct, and offices and small businesses. For more information, see millcastlemaine.com.au.

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Downstairs in our Hotel you will find two booklets of the latest brochures and information. Please talk to us about anything that interests you. The following information is merely to whet your appetite for your stay in Castlemaine. The historic Castlemaine Market Building in central Mostyn Street is our Visitor Information Centre and contains a changing art exhibition plus is information-packed with the latest news and details of what’s on in Castlemaine, nearby towns and further afield. It has many detailed walks and tours that can be taken using Castlemaine as your base.

CREATIVE ARTS IN THE REGION

The region has forged a strong reputation in the arts. The wealth of the gold rush days set the pace and inspired a wave of refined artistic pursuits … instrument makers, musicians, craftspeople and artists have shaped the area’s creative identity and continue to this day.

This abundance of art is a boon for visitors; there’s not only one of Victoria’s most prestigious regional galleries, Castlemaine Art Museum, but also many artists’ studios in Castlemaine, Maldon and Newstead that are often open to the public. Cascade and Edge Galleries in Maldon and Falkner Gallery in Castlemaine are highlights!

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Enjoy recent experiences against a rich historical backdrop of grand gold rush architecture, heritage buildings, wide streets, and verdant European gardens. The days of the gold rush have indelibly shaped the region and provided a background of authenticity and character waiting to be discovered.

Wander the busy streets of Maldon – Australia’s first National Trust listed ‘Notable Town’. The well preserved main street oozes charm with stories of the golden era alive and well in restored historic buildings that now house accommodation and produce arts and crafts. For a fascinating history lesson, take a stroll through the Mount Alexander Diggings National Heritage Park to view the relics and remains of our gold mining past. In these gullies, thousands of miners yielded their fortunes and misfortunes.

Be sure to explore the nearby towns of Guildford, Chewton and Newstead, each with its rich history and hidden gems that the locals will be all too proud to share with you.

OUTDOORS AND NATURE

Spectacular regional and national parks attract walking, cycling, fishing and outdoor enthusiasts across the seasons. Immerse yourself in stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, dazzling wildflowers, momentous relics of the past and the numinous sense of the outdoors in all its wonder.

Don’t miss regional Victoria’s world-class mountain bike park at La Larr Ba Gauwa Park in Harcourt, while The Goldfields Track is a highlight not to be missed. Fern gullies, rolling pastoral country, thick woodlands, dramatic granite boulders, open forests, and flora reserves, the track takes in an ever-changing natural landscape.

EXPLORE THE REGION

The Northern Arts Hotel is an excellent base to explore the many riches of the central Victoria region, whether it be Maldon, Harcourt, Newstead or even. Bendigo, Kyneton and Ballarat.

RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS NEARBY

Find here an extensive Gastromony guide to the region. Below is a list of current nearby places to the Hotel. Please contact or check Facebook pages or websites for venue opening hours and what’s on offer.

Immediately south of the Northern Arts Hotel, Parker Street becomes Walker Street at the train line. A mere 5-minute stroll, The Bridge, Das Kaffeehaus and the Taproom are located opposite Castlemaine’s historic Botanical Gardens.

DAS KAFFEEHAUS & COFFEE BASICS

THE MILL 9 WALKER ST CASTLEMAINE | 5470 6270

Transplanted from central Europe to central Victoria, Das Kaffeehaus is a Viennese-style coffee house serving small-batch roasted coffee, schnitzels, sausages, strudels, and delicious cake and more at highly affordable prices! It’s Vienna in Castlemaine Open 7 days 8am-4pm.

THE TAPROOM/ SHEDSHAKER BREWING

THE MILL 9 WALKER ST CASTLEMAINE | 0487 860 060

The Shedshaker Brewing Company creates a range of handcrafted beers that are distinctive, traditional, and brewed with passion and dedication to craftsmanship. Food (excellent pizzas) and entertainment are other features of this venue. Open Tues -Sunday.

THE BRIDGE HOTEL

21 WALKER ST CASTLEMAINE | 5470 6426

A short walk from The Northern Arts Hotel is Castlemaine’s “rock pub”, the Bridge Hotel. This funky venue features a great menu and a family friendly beer garden—Open Wed to Sunday from 3pm.