Kyneton

Kyneton is a historic town in the Macedon Ranges Shire of Victoria, Australia, located on the Campaspe River about 85 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. Established in the 1850s during the gold rush era, it is notable for its well-preserved bluestone and heritage buildings along Piper Street, its botanical gardens, mineral springs heritage, and thriving food, wine and arts scene within the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region.

Visitors can expect a compact historic country town centred on Piper Street with well-preserved 19th-century bluestone buildings housing cafes, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and antique shops. The town is set along the Campaspe River with the Kyneton Botanical Gardens, river walks, parks and heritage streetscapes to explore on foot. Expect a relaxed food and wine focus, weekly farmers markets, art and craft venues, and easy access to surrounding mineral springs, gardens and bushland reserves.

Kyneton was surveyed and established in 1850 on the Campaspe River as a pastoral and service centre, growing rapidly during the Victorian gold rush as a key stop between Melbourne and Bendigo. It retains extensive 1850s-1870s bluestone architecture, including churches, hotels, the courthouse and railway station, reflecting colonial settlement and goldfields prosperity. The area is on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people.

Kyneton is recognised as a cultural and culinary hub of the Macedon Ranges and Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region, known for its heritage streetscape, arts community, galleries, and food and wine culture centred on Piper Street. The Kyneton Botanical Gardens and Campaspe River parklands are valued community and visitor landscapes, and the town hosts regular farmers markets and festivals celebrating local produce.