With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, and daily life about to get more chaotic than ever, you can relax knowing that the most popular holiday destinations in Australia await you. According to Google Trends, when it comes to summer and you’re in need of a break, look no further than these top 8 locations:
1. Melbourne 2. Sydney 3. Gold Coast 4. Cairns 5. Hobart 6. Sunshine Coast 7. Byron Bay 8. Whitsundays
With beaches being the popular theme among these, we think the data is trying to tell you something. It’s time to put on the thongs, sunnies and bathers and get yourself a bevy. Step away from the chaos of life and relax at one of these Australian favourites. Whether you’re looking for fun, sun and beach or something away from the crowds and closer to nature. There is so much to see and do, so why not get out there and enjoy it.
This content is part of a paid partnership with Google to promote Google Trends. It uses Google Trends data to explore search interest in fuel price apps. Google Trends data is aggregated and anonymous. Search interest is measured on a relative scale and does not represent total search volume.
The inaugural Golden Wellness Festival will be taking place at Castlemaine's Sunken Oval this Saturday October 31.
This will be an immersive celebration of holistic health and wellbeing with workshops, movement classes, ceremonies, creative sessions and insightful panel conversations, bringing together a plethora of wellness practitioners and alchemic explorers. These will include Richard Moffat (Qigong), Nikki Valentini (Nutritionist) and Frankie Farley (Pilates) pictured with Dylan Lindley.
What if one day could connect you with the practitioners, practices and people who help you feel healthier, calmer, stronger and more connected? The Golden Wellness Festival takes place tomorrow at the Sunken Oval, Castlemaine from 10am – 4pm and is free entry. The festival invites you to discover your own personal wellness team through a diverse program of workshops, talks, experiences and community gatherings led by some of Central Victoria’s most respected wellbeing practitioners. Rather than searching endlessly online for support, festival-goers can meet practitioners face-to-face, experience their work firsthand and discover the people and practices that genuinely resonate with them. Whether you’re curious about movement, mindfulness, holistic health, spirituality, creativity, sound healing, personal growth or natural health, the festival offers a rare opportunity to explore dozens of modalities in a welcoming and affordable setting. Visitors can experience sessions including Feldenkrais with Julieta Mateo, Kundalini Yoga, Ayurvedic wisdom with Marye O’Brien of Maiaveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine with Rich Moffat, astrology with Shu Yap of Interpsycle Astrology, holistic pet health with Dr Ed the Healing Vet, deep relaxation experiences, community song circles, women’s circles, creative workshops and explorations into herbal medicine, alchemy and ancestral wisdom. Enjoy delicious food and no-alcohol drinks in the Food Garden accompanied by music from Kavisha, Georgia Darcy and handpan by Stephanie Mansour. Festival Director Ciel Lindley says the event is designed to help people build meaningful relationships with practitioners who can support their wellbeing long after the festival ends. “Many people know they want support for their health and wellbeing, but they don’t know where to start. The festival provides a rare opportunity to sample a wide range of practices, meet experienced practitioners face-to-face and discover the people who may become part of their ongoing wellness journey.” Win a Year-Long Wellness Journey Golden Wellness Festival has also launched its Golden Scrolls Raffle, with tickets on sale throughout November. One lucky winner will receive a curated package of wellness experiences valued at more than $1,000, designed to support a year-long journey of restoration, learning and self-care. The prize includes a Golden Wellness Festival 2027 Guests of the Festival Package valued at $550, an astrological consultation with Shu Yap of Interpsycle Astrology, a luxurious Lakshmi Bliss Spa Ritual from Maiaveda valued at $320, a $200 Naia Bathhouse voucher, an Ancestral Divination Reading with Zenith Flume, a Know Thyself One Day Retreat from Heart of the Horse, a comprehensive Autonomic Responsiveness Testing session with Nikki Valentini of Supernature Nutrition valued at $295, guest access to Otway Flow Festival, and a collection of experiences from FOLK Gym, including session passes all housed within a bespoke handcrafted urn created by acclaimed ceramic artist and official Golden Wellness Festival ceramicist Carmen Tuke. “Wellness isn’t something that happens in a single workshop or treatment,” says Lindley. “We’ve created a prize that gives someone the opportunity to explore different approaches to wellbeing across an entire year, guided by some of the region’s most experienced practitioners.” Raffle tickets can be purchased at Merchants of Mostyn, at Golden Wellness Festival pop-up events throughout November, and at the Golden Wellness pop-up at Town Folk Festival 2026. With dozens of practitioners gathered in one place, the Golden Wellness Festival is more than a day of inspiration. It’s a chance to find your wellness team, connect with your local wellbeing community, and leave with trusted contacts, practical tools and fresh motivation to support your wellbeing all year round. Festival tickets, program information and raffle details are available at www.goldenwellnessfestival.com
Ceramicist Carmen Tuke with the Golden Wellness Urn.
MAC OFF - Protect Castlemaine partnered with Sustain: The Australian Food Network to present a Castlemaine Fast Food Forum at the Phee Broadway Theatre on Monday evening.The local forum w...
Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.
Show secretary Debbie Hamilton is pictured with some of the beautiful floral entries.
The 172nd Castlemaine & District Agricultural Show begins tonight with all the colour and spectacle of the beloved street parade. The parade will weave along the new route from Walker Street, along Gingell Street and into the Forest Street entrance gates to Camp Reserve. Castlemaine Show secretary Debbie Hamilton said they had strong entries for this year’s parade including Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band, Thompson’s Foundry Band, the colourful crew from YIMBY, Busy Bees Childcare Centre, and the Castlemaine Football Netball Club, including five time premiership superstars – the Castlemaine Magpie Women’s team and their five AFL Central Vic cups! “And of course we are delighted to welcome Castlemaine SES and many of our wonderful local fire brigades,” Debbie said. The parade will be followed by Carnival Night at the Camp Reserve. Enjoy the sideshows, carnival rides, pavilion displays, woodchop from 6.30pm proudly supported by Mt Alexander Timber and Hardware and pick out your favourite showbag! The night will be capped off by the popular fireworks display at 10pm. Saturday will feature all the traditional Show Day events, including sheep dog demonstrations, pony rides, an animal nursery from 10am, plus Feral Woodwork and Painting for the children. The animal nursery and craft activities are free. “Mayor Cr Toby Heydon will be coming along to test his skills and trial one of the sheep dogs. They are wonderfully talented,” Debbie said. The pavilion displays are always a highlight with community members showcasing their skills in everything from horticulture, fleece, flowers and cookery to art, craft and photography. The Mail was on hand as hopeful entrants descended on the Camp this week to drop off their entries in the traditional categories. Be sure to check out the magnificent display and the wealth of local talent during your visit to the showgrounds! Entry to the show is $15 Adults, $8 Pensioners, $8 17 year old student, $8 Child 7-16, Children 6 & Under Free. For more information visit www.castlemaineshow.com.au
The parade will weave along the new route from Walker Street, along Gingell Street and into the Forest Street entrance gates to Camp Reserve.
Voices for Bendigo Deputy Chair Sue Fricke at Saturday's launch.
Jade Jungwirth
In the lead-up to the state election in November, a new community-led nonpartisan movement is asking people the important questions. What matters to you? What needs to change? And what ...
Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.
Four-time Australian Blues Award winner Lloyd Spiegeland, Tim Burnham – drums and Lisa Baird – Trombone
will feature at this year’s Maldon Folk Festival.
For over five decades, the Maldon Folk Festival has brought music, dancing and plenty of lively conversation to Maldon, becoming part of the fabric of the town. Kicking off today, October 30, the four-day festival has a jam-packed program of events across different locations in the historic township. Featuring big names like fourteen-time Australian Blues Award winner Lloyd Spiegel, national treasure Fred Smith, and Nick Charles. Victorian-based performers include the international sensation Claymore, Maldon favourites Rich Davies and the Low Road and a warm and soulful collaboration from Marcia Howard (Goanna) and Damian Howard (The Ploughboys). With rich harmonies, poetic songwriting and a deep connection to community, Marcia and Damian create music that feels intimate, generous and unmistakably Australian. Drawing on decades of shared history, the siblings blend stories of love, loss, hope and healing into a sound that moves effortlessly between folk, country, soul and roots. As Marcia says, it’s about “sharing stories, celebrating connection, and making music that feels like home.” Both artists are woven into Maldon’s musical fabric. Marcia has graced the festival’s stages for decades, while Damian’s first-ever festival gig over 30 years ago with The Ploughboys happened in Maldon, sparking years of touring across Australia and the world. Now, Marcia and Damian return to Maldon, ready to reconnect with the people and places that shaped them. The 2026 festival will run from October 30 to November 2, offering four days of performances, dancing, workshops and social gatherings, with camping available at the Maldon Football Ground in the centre of town. Children under 12 are admitted free, while family, youth, day and weekend tickets are available. All venues are within walking distance of the centre of town and have access for people with a disability. www.maldonfolkfestival.com
Don’t miss Marcia and Damian Howard’s Homemade Jam.
A fast-moving storm cell swept across Mount Alexander Shire on Saturday evening, leaving a trail of fallen trees and keeping Castlemaine SES volunteers on the go right through until Monday morning. Four crews were deployed across the district, receiving 25 calls for assistance across Guildford, Yapeen, Campbells Creek, McKenzie Hill, Barfold, and Castlemaine. Pockets of the shire were hit by torrential rain and hail that piled several inches deep, with fierce winds uprooting gums and bringing down branches across roads, driveways, and homes. Volunteers focused heavily on residential properties, attending eight callouts where trees had crashed onto roofs, garages, and verandas, alongside several leaking ceilings. During the height of the storm, crews were also dispatched to a car accident at the corner of Barker and Forest Streets in central Castlemaine. Fortunately, all occupants were able to get out of the vehicles without SES assistance. Castlemaine SES Section Lead Daniel Bone said the isolated nature of the storm gave residents almost no warning. “When an event like this hits so quickly, there’s very little anyone can do in the moment,” Mr Bone said. “We saw trees of all shapes and sizes come down. Some were perfectly healthy and were just overpowered by the gusts, but in other cases, an inspection by an arborist beforehand could have spotted hidden rot or weak limbs and prevented damage to a home. This can be a stormy time of year, and now is a great time to look up and have mature trees near your home assessed.” Mount Alexander Shire Council road crews worked through the night clearing tree-littered roads, allowing SES volunteers to focus their attention on damaged homes. For emergency storm assistance, call VICSES on 132 500.
Mike Elith and Dean Swanson will be opening the gates to their stunning property 'Granite Garden' at Harcourt North. The couple are pictured with a sculpture by Mandurang artist Andrew Sardone. Photo: Lisa Dennis
Lisa Dennis
The highly anticipated 18th biennial Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens kicks off tomorrow, Saturday October 24 and runs through to Tuesday November 3 (Melbourne Cup Day). A challenging start to the year, with blistering heat, followed by fires, caused several gardeners to withdraw from the festival – unsure of whether they would recover enough to put on a good show. Organisers are, however, thrilled to showcase six new gardens and 13 old friends that continue to evolve, inspire and delight. Among the magnificent gardens to feature will be ‘Granite Garden’ which is nestled on the foothills of Mount Alexander and was fortunately unscathed when fire ravaged nearby Harcourt and the Mount. Owners Mike Elith and Dean Swanson are no strangers to the festival having previously participated at their former property in Fords Road. The couple have been proud custodians of ‘Granite Garden’ since late 2019 and over the last six years have painstakingly extended the gardens around their home into an expansive oasis. “The garden has previously featured in the festival but those who have visited before may find it is barely recognisable. We have reworked the design to show greater cohesion where undulating paths unite new and previously established gardens with generous open green spaces,” Mike said. The garden boasts dramatic granite outcrops and terraced gardens which are host to a ‘riot’ of native and exotic flora. Informal plantings moderate other hedged elements with an avenue of Silver Birch surrounding the garden’s crowning jewel, a six-hundred-year-old Red Rivergum. Scattered throughout the gardens are also stunning sculptures created by Mandurang artist Andre Sardone. Behind the home a gorgeous shade arbor provides a space where visitors can enjoy the serene sounds of a waterfall and Dean’s beautiful bonsai collection. “I’ve had a fascination for bonsai for years and now pass on my knowledge to others keen to explore the traditional Japanese art,” he said. The property also features a vineyard with the couple producing their own ‘Granite Garden’ cabernet sauvignon with the expert help of the team at Welshmans Reef Winery. The pair will have plants and bonsai for sale throughout the event so you can take home your favourite plantings for your own garden. This year there is also a unique opportunity to visit the studios and galleries that this region is famous for as more than 30 artists will open their doors on the weekends. Artists to feature including Harcourt’s own Katherine Seppings and Castlemaine artist Sir Leslie Thornton. Details are available in the program. Pick up yours at the garden gate or Castlemaine Visitor Centre. Festival goers are asked to note all gardens will be closed for a refresh on Wednesday October 28. Entry to each garden is $5 per adult, children free. Payment is by cash, direct to the gardener at the gate. For more visit www.festivalofgardens.org
Mike and Dean have added around two acres of new garden which is currently features a ‘riot’ of colour.
12 trees were removed from the nature strip of a property in Campbells Creek.
Jade Jungwirth
Move over Macca's, trees are the hot topic this month! First, it was the mass removal of trees and vegetation at schools in the district over the school holidays. Now it's a mature Rive...
Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.
Maldon cowboy and champion Aussie bronc rider Bailey O’Dell will compete against some of the world's best riders tomorrow.
Maldon cowboy and champion Aussie bronc rider Bailey O’Dell is set to compete alongside some of best riders from across the globe at the Cinch International Australian Bronc Match at the Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft in Queensland this Saturday October 24. O’Dell is a rising star in the scene and recently claimed the 2026 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo Open Saddle Bronc buckle. Australia has assembled one of the strongest saddle bronc fields ever brought together on home soil. The event brings together four of the top five competitors in the final 2026 Australian Professional Rodeo Association saddle bronc standings, the reigning Australian champion, former national and tour champions, junior world titleholders, leading Australians returning from the United States and three formidable American stars. They will battle for more than $50,000 in prize money, an $8,000 custom-made Australian fender saddle and the right to claim one of the most prestigious bronc-riding titles contested in Australia, and it will all come down to eight seconds! Leading the Australian invitees is Maldon’s own O’Dell, who finished the regular season at No. 1 in the APRA saddle bronc standings after becoming the first rider to win consecutive Xtreme Broncs Australia titles. Bailey said this is his second year competing at the event. “It was a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to taking part again. I’ve had a pretty good year and will aim to do my best,” he said. “I’ve also competed in a couple of campdraft events while I’m up here.” Bailey has been around horses all his life and works as a horse trainer when he is not competing. He has been riding broncs for three or four years now. The 21-year-old said he is looking forward to seeing a few of the stars in action including Australian Jake Finlay and Gus Gaillard from Texas. “Taking part in the event and seeing the elite riders in action last year really helped me step up my skills,” he said. Bailey will be joined by Australia’s No. 2 Ben Rasmussen of Nevertire, Australia’s No. 4 and current junior bull-riding world champion Cade Ferguson of Cloncurry, and Australia’s No. 5 Ken Coleman of Bells Bridge. Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Champion and Australia’s No. 7 Clayton Braden, former Xtreme Broncs Australia champion and Aus No. 9 Mick Knight, 2022 Australian champion Greg “Dyso” Hamilton, six-time NRA Saddle Bronc Champion Jack Capewell, inaugural Xtreme Broncs Australia Rookie Champion Lane Edwards and former APRA Tour Champion Tom Knight complete the Australian invitation field. They will be joined by a powerful international invitation contingent featuring three of America’s leading bronc riders: Shorty Garrett of Eagle Butte, South Dakota; Gus Gaillard of Morse, Texas; and Zac Dallas of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Returning from competition in the United States are Bronc Match co-founders Jake Finlay of Goondiwindi and Tom Webster of Injune, alongside Darcy Wockner of Julia Creek, Joe Macqueen of Millmerran, Warwick Southern of Weengallon and newly announced Regan Lyons of Meandarra who has spent the 2026 season campaigning in the United States and riding for Western Texas College, competing at major American rodeos alongside several of the world’s most accomplished saddle bronc athletes. Australian Bronc Match Inc president Jake Finlay said the completed line-up demonstrated the extraordinary strength of Australian saddle bronc riding. “This is the field we dreamed about when we first started talking about bringing an international Bronc Match home to Australia,” Finlay said. “We have four of the top five riders from the Australian season, national champions, international competitors, brilliant young riders and three seriously dangerous Americans coming to Warwick. There isn’t an easy section anywhere in this field. Every rider has earned his invitation, every horse has earned its place in the draw and every single trip out of those chutes is going to matter. Our Australian riders know the championship buckle, the major prize money and the saddle have gone back to America in both previous years. There is plenty of respect between these cowboys, but once the gate opens, Australia wants that buckle back.” For the American riders, Saturday night represents the opportunity to extend a remarkable winning streak. The inaugural Bronc Match title was claimed by Cash Wilson of Wall, South Dakota, at Scone in 2024, before Brody Wells of Powell, Wyoming, won the 2025 championship in Warwick with a spectacular 89.5-point ride. Garrett, Gaillard and Dallas will now attempt to make it three consecutive American victories. For the Australians, Finlay said, the mission could not be clearer. “We’ve brought together the men capable of stopping them,” he said. “The world is coming to Warwick, and Australia is ready.”
Bailey O’Dell claimed the 2026 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo Open Saddle Bronc buckle in August.
Mount Alexander Shire resident (credit: Penny Ryan)
Jade Jungwirth
The aged care services quarterly review presented at Tuesday's monthly council meeting highlighted the difficulties of navigating significant aged care reforms and increased service de...
Subscribe to the Castlemaine Mail to read the full story.
