Victoria has so much more to offer outside of Melbourne, they say.

We decided to put this to the test one weekend when we trooped down to Southern Cross Station to take a VLine train to Castlemaine. The journey itself took only about 1.5 hours. Sitting on the comfy seats of the modern and clean train, it sure beat driving there. From experience, we tend to arrive tired and irritable after any drive of more than an hour. It was great to let someone else do the hard work of getting us there.

Upon reaching the old style station at Castlemaine, we were pleasantly surprised by its old world charm and tranquility. It was as if time moved much more slowly. We of course did our Googling homework to find out more about Castlemaine prior to hopping on the VLine train, but still, it was a refreshing surprise to feel the ruralness (or the “ulu-ness” as they say in Singapore) of the place in person.

Website: https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/goldfields/destinations/castlemaine

Our first stop was within walking distance. The Vintage Bazaar is chockful of old things on sale. Nostalgia was the key emotion while we walked through the premises and sifted through thousands of items, some of which we last saw and touched as kids.

A short distance away is the Botanic Gardens. After seeking refuge from the scorching midday sun beneath the shade of ancient trees, we refreshed ourselves with cold beverages and marveled at the exquisite flora that surrounded us.

Energized, we then prodded back towards the train station to explore the town.

One particular attraction captured our attention: the Castlemaine Art Gallery & Museum!

Inside the cool and inviting confines of this establishment, we were captivated by the diverse collection of intriguing artworks on display.

Interestingly, Castlemaine and its environs were once a hub for gold mining, a fact that had eluded us until our visit.

The frequency of VLine trains back to Southern Cross Station is once an hour. We hopped on the 2.50pm train and the smooth and uneventful ride allowed us to reflect upon our delightful experience in Castlemaine.

All up, it was a trip that piqued our interest and desire to explore more of the hidden gems that Victoria has to offer.