A day trip to Greendale and Blackwood
A popular destination for hikers and campers accessing both Lerderderg State Park and Wombat State Forest, the area around Greendale and Blackwood townships is strikingly gorgeous!
Surrounded by bushland and home to the historic Greendale Hotel and General Store, Greendale might also be familiar to movie buffs: it was the location for the much of the filming of Charlotte’s Web in 2006
Blackwood’s mountaintop setting offers stunning views of the Wombat State Forest, historic buildings, native flora and fauna and seasonal wildflowers, along with great dining opportunities courtesy of the Blackwood Hotel and the Garden of St Erth nursery’s on-site cafe.
And keep an eye out each year for the lively and popular Blackwood Wood Chop and Easter Carnival, held every Easter Saturday for over a century.
Coffee, gourmet toasties and burgers, pizza
• Vegetarian options
• Licensed, no BYO
• Lunch daily, dinner Wed and Fri
Coffee, gourmet toasties, pies and pastries
• Vegan / Vegetarian options
• Not licensed
• Mains $10 - $14
• Open seven days
Morning and afternoon tea
• Serving seasonal preserves, cakes, soups
• Fully licensed (no BYO)
• Cafe open Thurs - Mon, 10am - 4pm
Upmarket bistro classics
• Vegetarian options
• Fully licensed (no BYO)
• Starters from $7, Mains from $26
• Lunch and Dinner: Mon-Sun
Pub classics, pizza
• Vegetarian options
• Fully licensed (no BYO)
• Starters from $8, Mains from $23
• Lunch and Dinner: Tues-Sun
Eat & Drink
Sleeps 8, 4 bedrooms, 1 .5 bathroom
• From $455 per night (approx)
• Mud brick chalet
• Sauna and spa
• Leadlight widows, exposed beams
Sleeps 6, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• From $225 per night (approx)
• Original log miners cabin
• Wood fire
• 10 min walk to St Erth
Sleeps 3, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• From $300 per night (approx)
• Backs onto forest
• Rambling rustic garden
• Wood fire
Sleeps 13, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• From $670 per night (approx)
• On 2.5 acres
• Breathtaking views
• Wood fire, cathedral ceilings
Sleeps 9, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
• From $665 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• Short drive to Greendale township
• Privacy, comfort and space
Sleeps 2, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
• From $214 per night (approx)
• Open-plan tiny house with kitchenette
• 15 min drive from Daylesford
• Off-grid unit on solar energy
Sleeps 3, 2 beds, 1 bathroom
• From $178 per night (approx)
• Open-plan tiny house with kitchenette
• 15 min drive to Daylesford
• Veggie garden, fruit orchard and farm animals
Sleeps 2, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
• From $217 per night (approx)
• Entire studio with kitchenette
• 15 min drive to Daylesford
• Converted former photography studio
Sleeps 4, 2 beds, 1 bathroom
• From $225 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• 10 min drive to Daylesford
• Two-storey, open plan, off grid
Sleeps 5, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• From $295 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• 10 min drive to Daylesford
• In the heart of Wombat State Forest
Sleeps 6, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom
• From $381.25 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• 5 min drive to Blackwood
• Fully renovated modern home on one acre
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• Central Blackwood Accommodation
• Sites from $30 per night (approx)
• On-site vans from $115 per night
• Bathrooms and camp kitchen
Sleeps 2, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
• From $172 per night (approx)
• Private bathroom, no kitchen
• Central Blackwood Accommodation
• Victorian tradition with modern amenities
Sleeps 2, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
• From $148 per night (approx)
• Tiny house with kitchen
• Short walk to central Blackwood
• Adjacent to Wombat State Forest
Sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• From $484 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• Neighbouring the Garden of St Erth
• Stunning landscaped garden
Sleeps 4, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom
• From $137 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• Central Blackwood Accommodation
• Centre of Wombat State Forest
Sleeps 9, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• From $345 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• 10 min stroll into central Blackwood
• Nestled above Lerderderg Forest
Sleeps 6, 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom
• From $190 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• Located in the heart of Blackwood
• Views over Wombat State Forest
Sleeps 4, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• From $195 per night (approx)
• Entire house with kitchen
• 7 mins walk to central Blackwood
• Dual shipping container home
Stay
Nestled among the picturesque rolling hills of Greendale, Greendale Sunflowers offers a beautiful country experience just 65 km north-west of Melbourne and about 30 km east of Ballarat.
Open Fri-Sun and public holidays during blooming season
Wombat State Forest has become a beloved destination for off-road driving, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, bird-watching, fishing, and earns its reputation as one of the best areas for mountain biking in Victoria.
Open 24 hours
Park, picnic and play area on the Lerderderg River, with several mineral spring taps where you can sample of the area’s delicious spring water.
Open 24 hours
Quality Harris Tweed and fur felt hats along with fashion hats of all kinds presented in an historic building.
Open Sat-Sun
Visit St Anne’s huge bluestone cellar door inn Myrniong, offering free tastings of their wine range, along with from-the-barrel port sampling.
Open daily
See and Do
Visit Country Grocers Ballan, make a $2 or $5 donation at the checkout and add your name or a message of support to a special Pink Up token. The tokens will then be displayed around the store, creating a growing visual show of community support as more people get involved.
Ballan Arts Space is joining Pink Up Ballan 2026 with a special exhibition running from late September through to the end of October.
The Courthouse Hotel is getting into the Halloween spirit throughout October, with a mix of spooky drinks and family-friendly fun running across the month.
Art and community come together at Flack Post & Telegraph Gallery in Ballan this October for the Against Breast Cancer Exhibition, a special showcase exploring the healing power of art while raising awareness and support for breast cancer research.
Join the crew at the Border Inn for free Trivia Wednesday with their resident quiz guy, Master Ferris!
Thursday nights at the wonderful Plough Bistro in Myrniong feature the popular Locals Menu (fortunately for visitors, everyone is local at the Plough).
Get a table together for a big night of trivia, games, raffles, auctions and prizes at Bacchus Marsh Golf Club, all while supporting a local family and a very special cause.
Kick off the weekend with Chelby & Hoges, performing live at the Commercial Hotel in Ballan on Friday night.
Long-running and popular market, offering regional and local produce, home-made and a great selection of vintage and preloved items.
Join Gordon’s at Gordon for a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this October, bringing the community together over breakfast while raising funds to support breast cancer research.
Motoring enthusiasts won't want to miss the 29th Marsh Rodders Show & Shine and Swap Meet, returning to Maddingley Park for another huge day celebrating classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles and everything in between.
The clever crew from the Plough are putting on live music and pizza every month throughout 2026!
Come down and join the Royal crew every Sunday for some cold beers, delicious food and amazing tunes.
Stretch out for a good cause this October, with The Studio Ballan running its regular Sunday evening Studio Stretch classes pink in support of Pink Up Ballan 2026.
Join the crew at Bacchus Marsh’s Royal Hotel every Tuesday for an interactive game show style trivia night like you’ve never seen before.
Join the crew at the Border Inn for free Trivia Wednesday with their resident quiz guy, Master Ferris!
Thursday nights at the wonderful Plough Bistro in Myrniong feature the popular Locals Menu (fortunately for visitors, everyone is local at the Plough).
Enjoy an evening of great food, fascinating insights and spiritual discovery when Alavu Psychic Events comes to The Plough in Myrniong in October.
Give your favourite furry friend a colourful Halloween makeover at this Paint Your Pet Sugarskull workshop from Austin’s Craft & Play.
The doors of the Old Ballan Courthouse are about to be unlocked with a super spooky paranormal exploration…
Bacchus Marsh Scouts are celebrating an incredible 100 years of Scouting in the local community, with a big family day marking the journey from 1926 to 2026.
Enjoy a relaxed spring morning at Catalyst Community Art Garden, with market stalls, creative activities, food, music and family fun.
The Tin Plate Cafe is joining Pink Up Ballan 2026 with a special Pink Morning Tea filled with sweet treats, good company and a little bit of fun for a great cause.
Get ready for a full weekend of Oktoberfest celebrations at The Border Inn, with German food, drink specials and live entertainment taking over the Bacchus Marsh pub across Saturday and Sunday.
The 2026 Bacchus Marsh Flower and Garden Show at Bacchus Marsh Public Hall will include sections for roses, cut flowers, floral art, Australian natives, pot plants, garden produce, and jams and preserves.
Classic cars, winery views and a drive-in movie come together for a twilight Show ’n’ Shine at St Anne’s Winery in Myrniong.
Come down and join the Royal crew every Sunday for some cold beers, delicious food and amazing tunes.
Stretch out for a good cause this October, with The Studio Ballan running its regular Sunday evening Studio Stretch classes pink in support of Pink Up Ballan 2026.
Join the crew at Bacchus Marsh’s Royal Hotel every Tuesday for an interactive game show style trivia night like you’ve never seen before.
Join the crew at the Border Inn for free Trivia Wednesday with their resident quiz guy, Master Ferris!
Thursday nights at the wonderful Plough Bistro in Myrniong feature the popular Locals Menu (fortunately for visitors, everyone is local at the Plough).
Grab a picnic blanket or camping chair and settle in under the stars for a family-friendly Open Air Movie Night at Ballan Primary School, raising funds as part of Pink Up Ballan.
Get the kids into the Halloween spirit with a morning of slime, craft and spooky fun at Ballan Bakehouse & Bar.
Get the costumes ready for an afternoon of family-friendly Halloween fun at Rotary Park, with Moorafun Inc’s Halloween Funfest returning on the last Saturday in October.