What you really, really need to know.
Arts hubs around town
Another great little gallery with lots of local artists on show - open weekends - but check their FB page
Newstead Arts Hub
8A Tivey StAnother great little gallery with lots of local artists on show - open weekends - but check their FB page
Castlemaine's own gallery featuring new shows and a fabulous collection. Open Friday and weekends.
29 locals recommend
Castlemaine Art Museum
14 Lyttleton StCastlemaine's own gallery featuring new shows and a fabulous collection. Open Friday and weekends.
Saint Florian
26 Templeton StGreat food, lovely service. Open weekdays 10-4 pm
Artpuff
Lovely little gallery showing mostly local artists.
LOT 19
LOT 19 Langslow StreetGreat artist run space with exhibitions most weekends
Gardens
Our beautiful gardens- always a delight- opposite the Mill Complex where its all happening
41 locals recommend
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens
2 Walker StOur beautiful gardens- always a delight- opposite the Mill Complex where its all happening
Probably the most extraordinary garden you will ever visit - Rodger Mc Kindley is a natural born genius . Go to the end of Punt Rd Newstead. Not always open, but well worth a look even from the road.
Antares Iron Art Gallery
Punt RoadProbably the most extraordinary garden you will ever visit - Rodger Mc Kindley is a natural born genius . Go to the end of Punt Rd Newstead. Not always open, but well worth a look even from the road.
Beautiful old home owned by the Leviny family who were all artists and crafts people. Beautiful garden too. A national treasure.
19 locals recommend
Buda Historic Home and Garden
42 Hunter StBeautiful old home owned by the Leviny family who were all artists and crafts people. Beautiful garden too. A national treasure.
Swimming holes
The place to go swimming- the beautiful Res - swimmers there all seasons - for the brave. Also great place to go walking, canoeing or just to soak up some natural beauty
13 locals recommend
Expedition Pass Reservoir
The place to go swimming- the beautiful Res - swimmers there all seasons - for the brave. Also great place to go walking, canoeing or just to soak up some natural beauty
Chewton Pool
Main RoadThe only indoor pool in town. Small but the water is a great temperature. Also has a gym. Open most days- check the website. Inside the old Drill Hall. Includes fully equipped gym.
Castlemaine Health
142 Cornish StThe only indoor pool in town. Small but the water is a great temperature. Also has a gym. Open most days- check the website. Inside the old Drill Hall. Includes fully equipped gym.
Neighbourhoods
Newstead
Great place for a quick daytrip- cafes, art gallery, great pub, RedShed Arts Workshop
Great old historical town- art galleries, vintage machinery- even a French cafe.
25 locals recommend
Maldon
Great old historical town- art galleries, vintage machinery- even a French cafe.
Food scene
Best Vietnamese outside Vietnam. Ring ahead - very popular
7 locals recommend
Super Hero Banh Mi Vietnamese Restaurant
12 Hargraves StreetBest Vietnamese outside Vietnam. Ring ahead - very popular
A little piece of Italy in the heart of Castlemaine. Luca is a darling. Bello! Lovely outside courtyard. Check opening times
17 locals recommend
Origini Cafe
213 Barker StA little piece of Italy in the heart of Castlemaine. Luca is a darling. Bello! Lovely outside courtyard. Check opening times
Probably the most delicious food in town. Great service - lovely ambience - bookings recommended. Not open weekends or Monday sadly.
10 locals recommend
Fig Cafe
31 Templeton StProbably the most delicious food in town. Great service - lovely ambience - bookings recommended. Not open weekends or Monday sadly.
All sorts here- brilliant local vintage bizarre, Taproom with craft beers and lots of music, chocolate shop, bespoke butchers, bakery and ice creamery - lots to see
41 locals recommend
The Mill Castlemaine (whole site - multiple businesses)
9 Walker StAll sorts here- brilliant local vintage bizarre, Taproom with craft beers and lots of music, chocolate shop, bespoke butchers, bakery and ice creamery - lots to see
The Royal Sultan Restaurant & Bar
113 Mostyn StreetGreat food- great prices and very friendly staff- highly recommend
Railway Hotel Castlemaine
65 Gingell StGreat ambience- and the best pub food in town
Blue Sea Fish Shop
91 Mostyn StreetBest fish and chips in town
Togs Place
58 Lyttleton StGreat food- and a brilliant delicatessen next door
This is a great local market operating on the first Sunday morning of every month and Wednesday afternoons 2- 5 pm.
8 locals recommend
Victory Park
30 Mostyn StThis is a great local market operating on the first Sunday morning of every month and Wednesday afternoons 2- 5 pm.
Great local market where the locals go every Sat morning. Great coffee- lots of stalls. Located on the main rd- back towards Melbourne, about a kilometer up the road. Opens 9-1pm.
25 locals recommend
Wesley Hill Community Market
149 Pyrenees HwyGreat local market where the locals go every Sat morning. Great coffee- lots of stalls. Located on the main rd- back towards Melbourne, about a kilometer up the road. Opens 9-1pm.
Great beer, music and events on most nights- check their FB page. Lovely hosts- Doug was the drummer in Hunters and Collectors.
15 locals recommend
Castlemaine Brewing Company
9 Walker StGreat beer, music and events on most nights- check their FB page. Lovely hosts- Doug was the drummer in Hunters and Collectors.
Like an old fashioned pub - next to the Theatre Royal. Drinks and toasties available. Opens relatively late - for Castlemaine that is.
Love Shack Brewing Co
Like an old fashioned pub - next to the Theatre Royal. Drinks and toasties available. Opens relatively late - for Castlemaine that is.
Red Hill Hotel,
163 Main RdGreat food, music, beer garden
Five Flags Hotel
155 Main RdGreat food- would recommend
Retail therapy
Find what you're not looking for. Open 7 days- heaps of great stuff
7 locals recommend
Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar
9 Walker StFind what you're not looking for. Open 7 days- heaps of great stuff
Great Opshop- really cheap prices, run by a couple of legends. Open Friday and weekends - next to the Salvage Yard- another incredible place to fossik for all things second hand- primarily building materials.
The Good Op Shop
4 Lewis DrGreat Opshop- really cheap prices, run by a couple of legends. Open Friday and weekends - next to the Salvage Yard- another incredible place to fossik for all things second hand- primarily building materials.
Mount Alexander Animal Welfare Opportunity Shop
12 Johnstone StAnother great Op Shop- serious bargains to be had
Wesley Hill Community Market
149 Pyrenees HwyGreat local bookstore- with CASPA - an artists run gallery up the stairs - enter via Hargraves st.
8 locals recommend
Stonemans BookRoom
101 Mostyn StGreat local bookstore- with CASPA - an artists run gallery up the stairs - enter via Hargraves st.
Health
Castlemaine Health
142 Cornish StExcellent local hospital that is the place to go in case of a medical emergency.