Alice's Journeys goes to Wombat Park Estate

For the first time, we will extend our Walking Tours of Daylesford, from the Daylesford town centre to Wombat Park Estate.

As part of the Wombat Park Estate Open Garden Weekend on 2 and 3 November 2024, we are delighted to bring you this exclusive, small group, walking tour experience!

With the Daylesford town history and cultural walk as our backdrop, we’ll start at the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre and take in the key town sites. This will set the scene for the unique walking tour of the Wombat Park Estate, followed by access to lunch and refreshments sourced from local makers and artisans, and served in the garden as you rest and take in the stunning late Spring, early Summer atmosphere. 

Please note lunch & refreshments are not included in this ticket price.

Key information:-

1. The Walk is in two parts. 

Part 1 of the Walk begins at the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre, 98 Vincent St. Daylesford. 

After a short drive in your own vehicle, Part 2 of the Walk begins at Wombat Park Estate, 4719 Midland Highway Daylesford. 

Therefore you will need your own vehicle to drive from the town to the Estate, approximately 1.5 kms. This takes about 5 mins. 

Your ticket will give you access to the Estate gardens and vehicle parking. We will give you a map so you can find your way to the starting area within the Estate.

2. Before meeting at the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre, we suggest you park near the corner of Central Springs Road and Camp St. Daylesford to allow you to easily join the vehicle convoy and drive to Wombat Park Estate following the Daylesford town walk. In your own car, we will drive to Wombat Park Estate, where your entry and parking is included in this ticket price. Then you will join a guided tour of the historic Wombat Park Estate gardens. 

3. Ticketing: 

Full package is required by those who have not previously purchased ticket/s to Wombat Park Estate Open Garden: Adult ticket price is $85, Child up to 17 years is $55: includes parking and entry to the Wombat Park Estate and key sites in the Daylesford township.

If you have already purchased your ticket/s to Wombat Park Estate Open Garden, then you need to purchase tickets for Tours Part 1 & 2 - Adult ticket price is $55, Child up to 17 years is $25

4. Wear comfortable clothes, good walking shoes, sunscreen on hot days, umbrellas if raining, bring your water bottle.

5. Saturday 2 November Walk starts at 9.30 am to 12 noon; and Sunday 3 November Walk starts at 11am to 1.30pm. 

6. Part 1 of the Walk goes for approx. 1 hour and Part 2 of the Walk goes for approx. 1 hour.

Detailed information:-

Daylesford is a landscape and environment with magic and culture in every step and view. Let us take you on a memorable and exclusive walking tour journey that will take you deeper into understanding who we are and where we came from. A cherished adventure awaits!

Come on an enchanting experience as we soak up the stories, ambience and history of Daylesford township and the iconic Wombat Park Estate.

Part 1 Daylesford Township Walking Tour : Approx. 1 hour

What you will see and hear featured on Alice’s Journey’s Walking Tours of Daylesford

Early Italianate and Grand Victorian architecture and gardens including:

o 1863 Daylesford Post Office, stunning Italianate style, designed by Architect Peter Kerr who also designed numerous Melbourne landmarks

o 1880s Daylesford Town Hall, in the mid-Victorian era style, designed by George Johnson who also designed a number of inner suburban Melbourne Town Halls  

o 1875 Daylesford Primary School

o  Some of the 45 hotels and breweries (1850s to 1920s circa)

o The Christian Churches (1860s circa)

o 1860s Daylesford Court House

We will enter some of these buildings when available and safe to do so.

Key themes for the walk will cover:

•  Why multicultural and diverse communities have called Daylesford and Hepburn Springs home since the mid-1800s
• The region’s social, economic and political history
• Little-known women’s stories and legends
• Natural resources and agricultural booms - gold, water, wool, textiles and spuds

Part 2 : Wombat Park Estate Walking Tour - Approx. 1 hour

We’ll then take the short 1.5km drive from Daylesford (5 mins approx.), in your own car, to Wombat Park Estate. Parking and entry fees are provided as part of this walking tour package. 

We’ll explore the garden and surrounds as we encounter the stunning residence built in 1910 by William Stanbridge’s daughter Florence Colles Cox. William was one of the founding fathers of Daylesford, as we know it today, and we will have been introduced to his influence and story on the Daylesford Town Walk.

What you will see and hear featured on Alice’s Journey’s Wombat Park Estate exclusive walk:

• Includes access to Wombat Park Estate as part of the open garden day and onsite parking at the estate 
  
• The enchanting gardens, including secret outdoor rooms circa 1860s to current
• The 'new' garden designed by Taylor and Sangster of Melbourne - early 20th Century
• Significant and rare trees including hazelnut and mulberries, variegated chestnuts, Eagles Claw Maple, Douglas Fir etc
• Significant other flora including rhododendron, tapestry hedge, English box hedges being the largest known in Australia
• Teardrop lawn, horseshoe lawn, croquet lawn, parterre (old tennis court site), 
• The iconic Arts and Crafts style residence circa 1910 (please note, no access available inside the now private residence)
• William Stanbridge’s original cottage site (1854) where he lived, governed and presided over Daylesford and the State of Victoria. 
• The Stables circa 1860s 

Key themes for the walk will cover:

• The Stanbridge family life and legacy
  
• The iconic heritage gardens