| Fifteen
kilometres from Woodend, KYNETON seems
like just another boring country town as you pass through on the High
Street, where tourist information is located at no. 6, in Dapples Store
(open daily). The town is notable, however, for Piper Street, a
picturesque historic strip lined with several fine bluestone buildings,
including the Kyneton Museum, a two-storey 1855 bank full of local
artefacts, and several period outbuildings (call 03/5422 1228 for hours,
which vary: usually Wed, Sat, Sun & public holidays; $3). There are
also two old flour mills at either end of town, and the expansive Botanic
Gardens above the Campaspe River. |
|
| For
accommodation the Kyneton Country House, at 66 Jennings St, is a wonderful weekend hideaway
in a restored National Trust mansion surrounded by a beautiful cottage
garden; it has a good reputation for its traditional cooking. The price of
a Devonshire tea ($5) at Babette’s (tel 03/5422 2581), a restaurant
opposite the Kyneton Museum, includes entry to the museum; the restaurant
is fully licensed, and also serves French provincial cuisine (Wed–Sat
eve). A few houses further down is the Bluestone Cottage at 78
Piper St, which serves scrumptious Devonshire teas and hearty,
country-style lunches. Kyneton Provender at no. 30 is a bookshop
with a café that serves cakes and coffee. |