We came up on a Friday and wasn't sure whether the cellar door was open or not. The brewery is in…read morean industrial type estate just out of ballarat. Once we got in there you can buy a whole range of red duck's beers and can even do some beer sampling. We opted to buy a bottle of beer each and drink it there. The lady that was working on the day was really friendly and we sat down out the back with our beers at a little table and watched her pack up ready for ballarat beer festival. We ended up leaving with quite a few beers. On weekends i believe they open up the brewery and have BBQ for lunch. If you like beer and are in ballarat, can't miss red duck. They do some amazingly creative beers which are worth are try!

What else would you do in the country but drink wine? I…read moredon't know the answer to that but I do know this modern wine bar is the place you will spend most of your early afternoons in Daylesford if you have any leaning towards grapes. Ridiculously cheap produce platters full of cheese, paté and local oil and a glass of wine from their huge selection of sparkling, white, red, rose and more is a great way to start an evening. If you visit over the weekend then get there early as the spots available to sit are fairly limited. The young ex-Melbourne couple that run the place are totally cool and make me want to leave "city life" and resign in the hills to do the same. Their knowledge of every product (from food to wine and gifts) they have in store is spectacular, and you won't be able to walk out without buying something - they have a knack of conveying the passion of the producer to the consumer. I'm in the country and in love.

I love the name of Wine and the Country because it so accurately sums up what lays inside - wine,…read moreand bits of the country. When I say wine, I mean A LOT OF WINE. There must be well over 100 wines to choose, from all over Victoria, Australia and the world. On my most recent visit I indulged in (one too many) natural wines, which were absolutely outstanding. If you have no clue about wine (like me) the ridiculously helpful staff will help. Seriously, just tell them your favourites colours/flavours/price range and they'll pick something out for you to take home or drink in store - YES, it's a bar too! When I say country, I mean delicious, locally sourced produce from the nearby country-land - Daylesford and beyond. Cured meats, small goods and freshly baked breads - they'll make you a platter to accompany your wine likes nobodies business. If you went to Daylesford, you would honestly be a complete fool to not go to Wine and the Country.

GLENLYON ESTATE (previously Ellender Estate)…read more Situated in the beautiful Australian countryside this winery had long been our favorite place to spend an afternoon while savoring their delicious thin crust pizzas and sipping on quality local wines... but now it's even better! The new owners Simon & Lee have managed to keep everything that was great (local produce, beautiful setting) and make it better than ever. With a wonderful energy and zeal for outstanding customer service they make you feel like a close friend who's been invited to their estate to share good times and great food (did I mention the pizza is our all time favorite). Bookings aren't essential but highly recommended to ensure you don't miss out and I would be sure to allow a few hours to really relax and let the beauty of the place sink in... can't recommend this place highly enough. Visited February 2017

The Ballan IGA was my friend in need. I popped in on the way to visit an elderly friend in the…read morenursing home, and was able to get a potted tulip in flower, some ginger kisses, orange juice and green grapes to take as gifts and snacks - all were top quality. The aisles were uncluttered, the signage clear and the checkout service fast and friendly. Can't ask for more than that!

Some days you just have to follow the sunshine, get off the beaten track and see where you land…read more Hopefully you find yourself here at The Daylesford Cidery's The Tavern. What started off as "we'll stop for 1 drink and then go climb a mountain' turned into a lazy 3hr Sunday session. Which only ended because we really had to get home. The staff here are amazingly friendly and helpful. They really know their cider and have a delicious range of locally sourced produce available. Start off with a tasting before you buy a bottle or two. With four distinct varieties it's best to try before you buy. The Tavern area itself is a quaint barn/church hall style building. Big comfy couches, warming rugs and a lot of blue stone. The outdoor area has half a dozen tables and a pizza oven. As well as two very friendly dogs. We'll be back again in winter to sit by the wood fire and drink our cares away.

Perfect spot for a chilled out cider by the fire. Met the new owners, British Claire and her Aussie…read moreboyfriend Macky who makes the cider. The surrounds remind me of many English pubs I've visited in the Cotswolds. Claire served us simple but fresh, tasty and local soups she made (spiced pumpkin and chicken&leek), coupled with handmade soughdough bread. Macky built us a fire and chatted about the 18 different varieties of apples used in the 4 different ciders they produce on site. Just brilliant - go!!!

My wife found Passing Clouds online when looking for a place for lunch for our anniversary weekend…read more Arrived a little early planning on doing some wine tasting and were not disappointed, especially after finding that the tastings were (in my experience, unusually) free. It looks like the menu changes from time to time and the blackboard showed a selection of dishes and starters. There were two meat options for main, those being chicken or pork, with another two vegetarian options. I chose the pork to go along with my Pinot noir and my wife had the grilled asparagus. The pork was roasted and very nice. Peas and broad beans accompanied along with a minty salsa verde. The winner of lunch however was the goats curd on my wife's plate. It was amazing! I would recommend this place and definitely come back. That said, there are many many options in the area. Booking ahead is a must. There are several 2/4 person tables and a couple of long tables. Walk-ins seem to get seated at the long tables. Groups are catered for and on the day we were there, there was a party group downstairs among the oak barrels.

I went to Passing Clouds on the weekend with a large crowd of friends and family. It's a lovely…read moreplace, great grounds and facilities. The staff are wonderful and knowledgeable, creating a fun atmosphere and making you feel welcome. The food is fantastic, following the current trend of simplicity done well... everything is cooked on wood charcoal. They have a great deal where they feed you and they are very generous, the menu changes based on availability so it's likely to be completely different every time you visit. Word of warning, the Google Maps GPS directions will take you astray if not careful.

This place was pretty crowded when we stopped by, but maybe that has something to do with it pretty…read moremuch being the only decent cafe in Bacchus Marsh, or it could also be that everybody wanted to get out of Melbourne for a time. Still, despite the crowds, it was actually a pretty cool cafe, which is probably why everybody was trying to cram in here. The tea was pretty good, and the staff quite helpful. Oh, and the food was great as well.

There are rumours abound that Bacchus Marsh has a dearth of decent coffee shops and modern menus…read more I'm here to tell you it's not true. Back Black Espresso Bar was once a house that has been turned into a cafe. You can be seated one of three rooms, or outside. Sitting in one of the front two rooms gives a feeling of visiting a friend's home, a posh friend who has a cook and staff, that is. I've been here a few times for breakfast and have a favourite in 'Getting Figgy with it': sourdough toast topped with fig chutney, Meredith Farm Goats feta and a generous serving of bacon. A great mix of sweet, salty and the unmistakable tang of goats cheese for a well balanced and very filling meal. A close 2nd favourite is the french toast which can come plain, with maple and bacon or a sweet offering of lemon curd, edible flowers and icecream. The latter I am yet to try but my dining companion assured me it was pretty amazing. The coffee is excellent - I'm now a straight-up espresso drinker, no milk or sugar to spoil the purity of the pour - and I can say this is some of the best coffee I've had. Sorry that it's not on commute route otherwise I'd be a daily visitor.

The golden city hotel as wonderful as full food I got the chicken Parmey with crisp and the salad…read moreand my friends for the flake and crips. The staff what very friendly and helpful with such a big group.

I found this pub to be a little too fancy for my tastes, particularly since the beer options really…read moreweren't all that extensive as well. In fact, the lack of beer options made this place rather disappointing to be honest, and in a way I felt that with it being so fancy and all that, they could have actually had some craft beers available, particularly on tap. Sure, the service was okay, but honestly, that was about it.