Situated just 120 kilometres from Melbourne, Castlemaine was the first place, apart from Melbourne, to be settled in Victoria…new settlers flocked here to try their luck on the goldfields…and it still remains the richest alluvial gold field in history.

In recent years this area has become a drawcard for tourists because of the abundance of gourmet produce, locally made wines and a huge array of activities and attractions.

Frank and Michelle start their journey being personally chaperoned by the mayor, before travelling to the Organic Bress Winery for lunch, and a lesson in how to make a perfect drop.

The gourmet extravaganza continues later in the day as award winning chef Marty Chichester visits them at the Gold Nugget Tourist Park to prove that you can have a fine dining experience all in the comfort of a park cabin.

And there’s a lot to see and do at this park…there’s a bouncing pillow, life size chess games, a pool, games room and even an indoor bowling alley for seniors.

The next morning, its time to push the pedal to the metal…Rod Hadfield is a world expert on hot rod cars, and his museum houses Australia’s largest collection of piston power… Michelle manages to test drive a hot road, and says its an experience she’ll never forget.

Onto Maldon, just a few minutes drive away and if you’ve got a sweet tooth, this is the place to me…Chocolade stocks exquisite home made delicacies, whilst just up the road frank snaps up an all day sucker that should keep him quiet for weeks!!!!

It’s in this town that you can also have a totally unique experience…yes folks, here you can actually drive the historic steam train, but be warned, shovelling coal is harder than it looks!!!!

From there our travellers ventured to Campbell’s Creek… a blink and you’ll miss it place, but home of the one of the largest second hand bookshops in the Southern Hemisphere… owner Anne Smith has over ninety thousand titles for sale, along with records and other curios… it’s easy to while away and afternoon browsing all the weird an wonderful books on the shelves.

The central Victorian goldfields are fantastic to visit, and there are many camping and caravan destinations to base yourself whilst exploring the surrounds… Rich in early Australian history and culture, you’ll never get bored here!!!!

RV Showcase
 
Nova
109 Freight Drive
Somerton VIC
Phone:  (03) 8339 0700
Fax:  (03) 8339 0733
Web:  www.novacaravans.com.au

Accommodation Contact

Gold Nugget Tourist Park

293-295 Midland Highway, Epsom
Bendigo      
VIC
Phone:   (03) 5448 4747   
Free Call: 1800 637 176
Fax:  (03) 5448 4030
Web: goldnugget.com.au
toptouristparks.com.au
Email: info@goldnugget.com.au

Contacts

1. Robert’s RV World
   1602 Hume Hwy
   Campbellfield VIC
   Phone:  (03) 9357 4555
   Free Call: 1800 253 136
   Fax:  (03) 9359 4966
   Web:  www.rvworld.com.au
   Email:  sales@rvworld.com.au
   
   
2. Hadfield’s Hot Rod’s
   Pyrenees Highway
   Chewton, VIC
   Phone:  (03) 5472 3868
   Email:  carol@castlemaine.net
   
   
3. Bress Wine, Cider & Produce
   3894 Calder Highway
   Harcourt VIC
   Phone:  (03) 5474 2262
   Fax:  (03) 5474 2553
   Website: www.bress.com.au
   Email:  bress@bress.com.au
   
   
4. The Maldon Lolly Shop
   20 High Street
   Maldon VIC
   Phone:  (03) 5475 1136
   Fax:  (03) 5475 1136
   Website: www.maldonlollyshop.com.au
   Email:  enquiries@maldonlollyshop.com.au
   
   
5. Chaperon Wines & Chocolade
   39 Main Street
   Maldon VIC
   Phone:  (03) 5475 1150
   
   
6. Victorian Goldfields Railway
   Maldon Railway Station
   Maldon VIC
   Phone:  (03) 5470 6658
   Fax:  (03) 5470 6272
   Website: www.vgr.com.au
   Email:  marketing@vgr.com.au
   
   
7. Book Heaven
   47 Main Rd
   Campbells Creek VIC
   Phone:  (03) 5472 4555