It was a family decision and I agreed to go with the flow. We’d chosen the most affordable country house, which could inhabit nine of us for two nights. Daylesford, a popular spa town and getaway in Victoria, Australia was our destination. I really did not know what was coming my way.

Our journey from Clayton South was to be around two hours. The freeways were boring and the landscape monotonous. Large warehouses on either side, the feel of the city and its suburbs was not leaving us. And then it changed. We had another half hour drive left for Daylesford, arrived, the countryside. The sheep grazing in the meadows, far flung forest patches, creeks and streams.

Nature was in bloom, with green, dash of rust calming my soul. It was not wilderness, but the signs of it, and the drive did not seem to be a drag anymore.

Picturesque
We arrived late afternoon at Country View, what was to be our getaway for the next two nights. Being four kilometres way from the town centre, we had the advantage of long walks in the woods to our left picturesque, a grazing patch right in front.

And then, like usually urbaners would do, one of us took out the local cell phones to realise there was no connectivity. Brilliant, I thought! There are places like that in Australia, as well? I was ecstatic. Switched off my phone and blended in with the much desired peace and quiet.

Once we settled in, the bar-be-cue was set up, and the fire place lit. The setting was perfect, and it was time was some family bonding.

Day two was when we were to explore the town. Much of the “happenings” were on one central town road. Cross that quickly and then there are walks to the lakes. We did a nice brisk one to Lake Daylesford and enjoyed the serenity.

Death by chocolate
Back to the town centre, and it was time to refuel our stomachs. With nine of us and varied tastes, different prospects were sought. One of the finest was a place called Chocolate Decadence, where chocoholics can enjoy home made and fresh chocolates.

Gosh, do they taste different from the packaged stuff sold in the markets. It was interesting to note several options for organic food. Seemed like the people of the town and the visitors to the place liked the idea! There was organic tea and coffee, biscuits, desserts and even wine. Wasn’t the cheapest, but worth the indulgence.
The town had a quaint and peculiar feel to it. I would say it had a character. I did not see the big multi-national brands splashed, but local stuff for the tourists to enjoy. That’s what enamoured me the most. And no internet cafes. Not really a priority, thankfully.

Unfortunately we could not enjoy the adjoining Hepburn Springs as it was under renovation. We did drive their of course, to come back a little disappointed.

The night brought some chaos for us, with the water pump collapsing. It was like we had to get the feel of the Australian drought. Unfortunately it was not the natural resource that had collapsed but the technology to pump into the taps.

So, it was not that everything went to perfection! But I can say it without thinking twice that the two nights in Daylesford has left glimpses unforgettable and memories to be treasured. There are few getaways that can enrich one’s being, and this one sure was one of them.