Castlemaine Travel Guide

  WELCOME TO CASTLEMAINE JAIL
by DennyP
  • WELCOME TO CASTLEMAINE JAIL
      WELCOME TO CASTLEMAINE JAIL
    by DennyP
  • CASTLEMAINE  JAIL GRAVEYARD FOR LIFERS
      CASTLEMAINE JAIL GRAVEYARD FOR LIFERS
    by DennyP
  • ONE OF THE GUARD TOWERS AT THE CASTLEMAINE JAIL
      ONE OF THE GUARD TOWERS AT THE...
    by DennyP
  •   Castlemaine
    by craic
  •   Castlemaine
    by craic

Explore Castlemaine

Things to Do  

VISIT THE CASTLEMAINE JAIL

VISIT THE CASTLEMAINE JAIL, Castlemaine

 DennyP Says:  Writing this it has just come to my attention that I may have put this in the wrong selection...well anyway not only is it about a visit to the jail but also about accommodation... I visited Castlemanine while travelling through Victoria's famous "Gold Trail" this being one... 

The first thing you should do ...

The first thing you should do ..., Castlemaine

 craic Says:  ... is go to the Tourist Information Centre.It is in a most unusual building in the centre of town. Two very agreeable blokes gave me a free map and were busting to give me any more info I might desire.But the thing is about visiting this area, the goldfield towns of... 

Buda Historic home and garden

Buda Historic home and garden, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  Buda was built in 1861 and from the year 1863 was the home of noted silversmith Ernest Leviny and his family. The house is complete with the family’s art and craft collections, furnishings and domestic effects, and set in 1.8 hectares of gardens. This artistic and creative... 

Old Castlemaine Gaol

Old Castlemaine Gaol, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  The former Gaol of Castlemaine is now one of its main tourist attractions. The other week I went there for the first time 'on tour' with a group of us volunteers from Daylesford Visitor Information Centre. You can tour the grounds and explore the rooms (somewhat refurbished)... 

Information Centre III

Information Centre III, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  Inside the former market hall, the style is in the form of a Roman Basilica, with masonry arches to define the stall spaces. The market stalls were located in the side halls. Many local materials were used in construction of the buildings, including local sandstone in the... 

Information Centre II

Information Centre II, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  And here is a better view of the arched entryway, from the inside looking out to another historic building across the street. 

Visitor Information Centre

Visitor Information Centre, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  Castlemaine's Visitor Information centre, besides being the best place to start your visit to this small city, is also a National Trust classified significant historic building and a tourist attraction in its own right. The building was built as an enclosed Market hall, and... 

Hotels  

Flag Inn Castle

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Hotels  

Castlemaine Central Cabin And Van Park: It looked fine

Castlemaine Central Cabin And Van Park: It looked fine, Castlemaine

 craic Says:  I'd planned to stay here in one of their cabins - but then in the end I couldn't spare the time.But as I was trying to hitch across the road from it - before my friend went past in a taxi - I thought I would take a photo of the place and mention it.It is a shortish walk from... 

CAROL HOUSE: Castlemaine House

CAROL HOUSE: Castlemaine House, Castlemaine

 726jenni Says:  This is a fabulous house in the country town of Castlemaine. In a quiet area of town, sitting high on a hill, it is tranquil with great views but only a couple of minutes to town centre. Carol House was warm and inviting on our arrival with lovely decor, luxurious linen on... 

Transportation  

V Line Trains
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

craic 392 reviews
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Trains leave from Southern Cross Station. They go fairly frequently. At some times of the day there is one an hour. They start early, but they don't go very late. Some go on to Bendigo, some to Echuca. I found the train comfortable, the guard was polite and announced all the stops and made sure we got off at the right place. The train was very clean. It had lavatories. But there was no canteen on board, bring your own supplies. Non reserved seats travel in one carriage together. But the guard tells you which is the right carriage.
It took about an hour and a half. The station is a 10 minute walk into town. I saw people ringing up for taxis, there were no taxis waiting.

Written Apr 1, 2010

Website: http://www.vline.com.au/index.aspx?sid=0

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Shopping  

Stonemans Bookroom: Fabulous Bookshop
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

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They are an arty, literate lot in Castlemaine and the surrounding district, and bookshops and cafe/bookshops are not rare. But this is a lovely one I think.
It is right in the centre of town and sells new and used and office supplies.
A wonderful atmosphere, I could have browsed forever.
There is a Booklovers Trail in the district (see link below) for seriously keen bookworms. And Stonemans Books features, of course.

Written Mar 31, 2010

Address: Mostyn Street

Website: http://www.australiantraveller.com/component/content/article/2501

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Local Customs  

State Festival

State Festival, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  Castlemaine is also home to the bi-ennial Castlemaine State Festival, which is next being held on March 30 - April 8, 2007. (The festival was first established in 1976)It is especially strong in visual arts, music, theatre, poetry and includes outdoor events as well. 

Markets

Markets, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  Weekend markets in the region: Harcourt Farmers Market, 1st Sunday of each month (9am-1pm)Address: Corner Blackjack Road & Midland Highway, HarcourtHarcourt is well known for its apple growing. On the 4th Weekend in March, Harcourt also has its annual Apple Festival (this... 

Warnings and Dangers  

castlemaine heritage park

castlemaine heritage park, Castlemaine

 raymondga Says:  warning to visitors;the area has a lot of deep and hidden mine shafts,people with young children should be aware of this danger and make sure when walking off tracks,to keep a watch on their children. 

airless mine shaft

airless mine shaft, Castlemaine

 raymondga Says:  there is an open (safety grill has been cut out )mine shaft at the castlemaine heritage park near the eastern most end of eureka reef it is the horizontal type of mineshaft and has no air inside after about 20 metres. be aware it can be dangerous as well as the fact that... 

Favorites  

Courtyard of the old Castlemaine Gaol

Courtyard of the old Castlemaine Gaol, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  Much more attractive these days as a tourist attraction than it would have been during its hellish years as a Prison. 

Theatre Royale 3

Theatre Royale 3, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  And my favourite part of the Theatre, the mural on the wall outside (just around the corner from the mural on the cafe wall, which probably is also a mural belonging to the Theatre. 

Theatre Royale 1

Theatre Royale 1, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  This photo was taken looking down from the back of the 2nd storey of the Malmaison gift/furnishing shop.Years ago I, and probably a lot of other Australians, would have seen this building as nothing more than a bit tumbledown and rusty, but the way I see it today, it's more... 

Old book shops

Old book shops, Castlemaine

 Kate-Me Says:  Something I always enjoy when exploring 'new' towns, is having a browse through their secondhand bookshops. The bookshop in the main street of Castlemaine looked rather charming with its reproduction cart outside.(Inside it had a good range of both new and old books) 

Comments

Map of Castlemaine