Spotlight: Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park

While it’s a bonus to stay at a caravan park with all the latest facilities and family entertainment options, sometimes it’s just as nice to take the family to a park that appeals as much for its simple charms, relaxed natural setting and close proximity to local attractions.

Such is the case with Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park, a quaint little gem situated within the historic township of Castlemaine, an easy 1.5 hours drive from Melbourne.

The park’s location instantly soothes the soul, beginning with the long, tree-lined driveway to the office. It's also bordered by the town's picturesque Botantical Gardens with its trickling creek, bicycle and walking paths, picnic facilities and resident duck population.

One of two caravan parks in town, Castlemaine Gardens offers a choice of sites and cabins, generously spaced along roads that wind through the park, ensuring some distance and privacy between sites.

During our recent two-night stay, the park was busy with a lively gathering of A’van owners, but despite 33 A'vans taking up a large portion of the sites, it didn’t feel over-crowded. 

Castlemaine Gardens owner Claire Height says the park’s close proximity to the town's centre and relatively short distance from Melbourne, makes it popular for social gatherings including RV and car club events.

"We get a lot of clubs and groups through because it’s such a lovely place. Many of the groups are seasoned travellers, who often prefer more central locations,” said Height, who acquired the park about two years ago and recently joined up with the Big 4 chain.

During our stay the tranquillity was interrupted only a few times by the squawk of cockatoos in the morning and rattling trains on the nearby historic railway. (We won’t mention the boisterous group of grey-haired A'van owners who kicked up their heels in the camp kitchen on the Saturday night!)

Since taking over, the new owners have been busy upgrading some of the park’s facilities including refurbishing the main amenities block, while many of the 14 self-contained cabins have been "completely revamped".

Described as "clean and comfortable" the cabins range from one bedroom, air-conditioned units catering for up to five people to smaller, budget cabins for those who don’t need all the latest mod cons.

There’s also a choice of powered, unpowered and drive-through sites for larger vans and motorhomes. None of the sites have concrete slabs, though, so while the dirt ground outside our camper trailer wasn’t a problem during our stay, it might pose some problems in wet conditions.

Height said the 'Bush Hut' communal kitchen is next on the renovation list, despite it currently providing an appealing, barn-like interior with open fire, fridge and cooking facilities, reading area and outside BBQ.

Other amenities include a laundry with washing machines and dryers, a clothes line, and sullage is available on powered and ensuite sites.

Although the park advertises a security boom gate, it wasn’t working when we visited. Also, there's no swimming pool within the grounds for the warmer months, although a public pool next door to the park is open over summer.

Castlemaine Garden's busiest time of the year is the Easter long week-end, but it also makes sense for short one or two night stays, although you’ll probably want to stay much longer considering all the attractions in town and the surrounding areas.

The town of Castlemaine itself is only walking distance (or a short drive) away, and jam-packed with hidden charms. Most obvious are the countless Georgian buildings dating back as far as the gold rush of the 1850s, including the Visitors Centre - a good starting point for any visit.

The period-perfect buildings also provide an ideal backdrop for a thriving gastronomic and cafe culture amongst Castlemaine's main streets.

There's charming shops wherever you turn, from the Stonemans Book Room with its eclectic collection to the tiny Hot & Crusty Country bakery with its mouth-watering pasties.

Despite a small population of less than 10,000, Castlemaine has a thriving artistic and creative community, resulting in a jam-packed calendar of cultural events. From jazz festivals to modified car shows, most week-ends you'll find an activity or two to get involved in.

As the 'hot rod capital of Australia', Castlemaine is a drawcard for car nuts, who usually make a beeline for Rod Hadfield’s hot rod garage.

Art lovers are well catered for too; the refurbished Castlemaine Art Gallery & Historical Museum is one of the best regional galleries in Victoria and a must-see, and for something a bit different drop in to Brian Nunan's gallery of indigenous and Outback-inspired paintings.

If you somehow tire of Castlemaine’s charms, other historic towns and attractions are only a short drive away, including Daylesford and its mineral hot springs and Maldon, another well-preserved gold rush town.

Due to time restraints, we didn’t get to venture too far from Castlemaine’s centre, but have vowed to return to further explore this picturesque and historically significant countryside.