After visiting Daylesford 3 years ago there were 3 must do visits that I absolutely had to include:
- Visit the stunningly gorgeous Mt Macedon and walk in Vicki Hawken’s garden – Viewfield.
- Dine at the Lake House restaurant owned by Ella Wolf Tasker.
- Eat at Annie Smithers – Du Fermier in Trentham.
Consequently, our last two days here were filled with pretty amazing visits.
At the foot of Mt Macedon is an avenue of the most stunning houses and gardens and at this time of the year it is an explosion of Autumn colour. I had planned on a picnic lunch and came prepared with delicious quiches, pork pies, terrines, pate, cheeses and plum tart from the Piper Deli in Kyneton. After coffee and a break in Woodend we headed to Viewfield garden . I met Vicki on my research trip 3 years previously and I was delighted to meet her at the gate when we arrived. She also insisted we have our picnic lunch in her garden which was an absolute treat. Her large creative garden was a lesson in space and planting and her areas varied from woodland to Australian native to intricate potagers – all surrounded by beautiful Autumn trees. A roll of brown paper was a cheap and perfect solution for a table cloth and I must say we had a very lovely picnic.
Before heading back to Daylesford we had time to drive to the Mt Macedon Memorial Cross. It turned out to be a special brief time to watch the preparations for the Anzac service to be held at dawn the following morning.
By 5.30 we had scrubbed up and put on our glad gears on – to eat at the highly anticipated Lake House for dinner. Ambience, Atmosphere, Service, Food – this place excels in providing the best dining experience. We had an unsurpassed evening of perfection and can certainly recommend the Lake House in Daylesford – plus I can’t wait to go back.
Our final visit the following day was one I worked hard to secure. Annie Smithers is a special Victorian acclaimed chef and her restaurant and cook school called Du Fermier in Trentam is very hard to get into. It was Anzac day and everything is closed. But, after some correspondence Annie offered me a visit to her home farm and garden called ‘Babbington Park’ and then back to Du Fermier for lunch.
Annie and her wife Susan’s projects were so inspirational – from restoring an old church and the amazing old shearing shed to building creative houses for their menagerie of ducks, chickens, goats, cows and sheep . The property was immaculate and surrounded by stunning gardens that supply Annie with the produce for her restaurant. Menus are planned depending on what is ready in the garden – consequently, change daily. I have worked with this philosophy for ever – Seasonal , local produce and Annie has taken this to a higher level and her garden was inspiring along with her boundless energy, enthusiasm and caring friendly personality.
Lunch was a lesson in simplicity and flavour – from salmon smoked over hay – served with beetroot and red cabbage / melt in your mouth chicken in a tomato capsicum rich sauce with potatoes and carrots / chocolate and berry roulade using the raspberries Annie had picked that morning.
I try to make life on tour varied and tell the story of the region we visit. Between, Vicki at Viewfield, the Lake House and Annie at Babbington Park and Du Fermier, we experienced the work of exceptionally talented women who are passionate, very clever and obviously love what they do.