Trentham is located about 92.5km or 1hr 10min north-west of Melbourne. It’s a regional town rich with character and charm like many of the other towns around it like Daylesford and Hepburn but with much less of the crowd and traffic. A bit of a drive through some great country side puts you in prime position for great day of adventure. Below is a list of three reasons why you should make the trip up to Trentham.
1. Character and Charm
One of the best things about visiting regional towns like Trentham is taking a stroll through it’s town centre. The great thing about Trentham is many of it’s buildings still look like the original structures restored rather than replaced with new modern buildings. That’s what gives it a great sense of place and the town such a strong character and charm. The patina that has developed on the buildings, the repainted weatherboards and unique brick walls tell a story about the establishment of the historic town.
There’s nothing like taking the time to walk up and down the main street (High St) exploring the different shops and stores. There are a few lane ways to walk down and a few great benches in the Town Square to sit and appreciate the slow and steady vibe of Trentham.
2. Food Options
For a small town you’ll have a good range of options when it comes to food. If you’re looking for coffee and a snack, there are a number of cafe’s and bakeries to be found. RedBeard Historic Bakery is located down J. Reid Lane where they are known for their sourdough breads baked using a 120 year-old scotch oven.
Other casual bakery/cafe’s include:
- Trentham Bakery
- Trentham General
- Market Street
- Aterics Cafe Bar
If you’re after a more substantial meal then nothing beats a regional pub and Trentham delivers with an un-pretentious offering at Hotel Trentham and The Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Even better if you’re fortunate enough to be staying a night or two over the weekend in Trentham and are looking for a special meal or a glass of wine in a cosy setting then you have a few options. Mr Peacock wine bar gives you an alternative to the pub offering in an approachable and intimate setting where you can explore a range of wines. Still Moon is a restaurant, wine bar and cellar door which makes it a destination in and of itself worth visiting when in town and Du Fermier boasts an upscale set menu from the Farmhouse.
3. Trentham Falls, Coliban River
Take a short 4min (3km) trip out of town and you will get your dose of fresh air and nature when you visit the mighty Trentham Falls, Coliban River. The falls themselves have a drop of 32m which makes it a waterfall worth visiting. The drive there is paved and so is the large carpark which makes it fairly accessible. The carpark will have public toilets in the near future. The path down to the viewing area has the option of stairs or a winding ramp down. While the path is gravel it is fairly well compacted so it is generally accessible.
There used to be access down to the base of the falls but this has been blocked and viewing is only permitted from the top. In saying that the viewing area is a great spot to spend some time breathing fresher air and appreciating the sound of the water.
Bonus – Short Drive to Daylesford & Hepburn
A bonus reason to visit Trentham is that it is a stones throw away (21min / 23.3km) from the very popular and busy Daylesford and Hepburn area which offers a whole lot more adventure.
So there it is, three reasons to visit Trentham, Victoria just an hour and a bit north-west of Melbourne. A worthwhile daytrip adventure.