The Cube

In need of a holiday but I wasn't organised enough to plan for the Good Friday long weekend break. By the time I got to looking up anything, there were all getting too expensive. So I decided on a day trip on a Sunday (nonetheless) on a normal weekend. Not public holiday, not long weekend. I did try to coincide it with a local market which happens first Sunday of every month but i was short on time and didn't even end up visiting the market. Ha! So much for all the planning. 

As I started to search for possible day trip options, I stumbled upon Castlemaine. Castlemaine is a former gold mining town in the Goldfields region about 120 kilometres northwest from Melbourne. It is only an hour and a half train ride away from Melbourne. As I wanted to maximise on things to do, I decided to make the trip on the first Sunday of the month. 

I only have 4 items for the day trip but only managed 2.5 of them? Anyway, here are all 4 if anyone is interested. 

It is like a hub for those looking for art, vintage stuff and food. Historically it was a woollen mill back in 1875. I didn't have a lot of time to poke my noise in all the places but worth a visit. I was seated next to the chimney when I had my meal in Das Kaffeehaus. 

On reading that it is Viennese coffee house serving traditional Austrian food, I am sold - will have food there and that was my first stop on arrival. 

I don't usually have cream with my coffee but can't go past Vienna coffee (double shot with cream). All these were my brunch - cheese kransky served with roll, warm sauerkraut and mustard AND a toppenstrudel. They don't look big but I was stuffed! Food was delicious and my bursting tummy was happy. 

Beechworth has a well-preserved historical town, also in the north-east direction of Victoria. It was just an hour away from Bright by car/bus. As of 2016, Beechworth had a population of about 3,800. 

Likely many other towns, Beechworth was a gold producing region in the past, circa 1852-1857. Walking around Beechworth, one would see many references to Ned Kelly - an Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader and convicted police-murderer. He was known for wearing a suit of bulletproof armour in his final shootout with the police. Kelly was trialed at the Beechworth Historic Courthouse and held in the Beechworth Gaol. 

I rocked up to the Tourist Information Center and they prompted offered me a map. The 2 staffs in the center were very friendly and offered options of things to do. It was a hot day so their recommendations on the particular day of my visit was - ice-cream, cooling down at the Lake Sambell Reserve, visit the Bilson's for free cordials, indoor options of museum or courthouse. 

Whilst I didn't enter any of the historical sites, I saw this Telegraph Station just next to the courthouse. One could send a message by telegram from this Historic Telegraphy Station by morse code to anywhere in Australia at the cost of $2. I think that's pretty cool. 

Saw another echidna at the beginning of my walk and got pretty excited. Me, not the echidna. 

I was the only crazy who walk the Gorge Walk, I did not meet anyone on foot. There were cars, less than 10 but all stopped at The Cascades. When I was at this 'lookout' place, a car slowed down but didn't stop. 

Can you see the 'The Three Sisters' sign? I had a good laugh, you might if you heard of the other Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.  

This was where the others headed to, The Cascades. When I walked passed, there were 3 cars parked at this area.  

I continued my walk back to the historic center. By this time I was motivated by promise of ice-cream at the end of the walk. 

Most of the shops were closed by evening. I decided to go for a walk after dinner, it was definitely more quiet, less people and not hot at this time. 

 

I made it to Lake Sambell but the sun has set. When I got back to Camp Street, just managed to catch the last light before it got dark. 

Beechworth Honey Discovery is located in the historic Bank of NSW and provides information on honey and bees. I just happened to walk pass as it was just next to my accommodation in Beechworth. There is a separate honey shop at the end of Ford Street. 

I had 3 nights in Bright, arrived and left around noon time and that gave me 9 meals. 

In order of when I had the meals. 

I was starving by the time I reached Bright and this was my first meal of the day. This was named as 'Whole baked Harrietville trout with house made dill sauce with a mixed cress salad' on their menu. The wait staff asked if I want the head and skin on, I thought I mentioned head off but skin on but all good. It was tasty though I find it a tad oily for my liking. 

This was after doing the Cherry Walk and I wanted to do a takeaway but was told takeaway not availble but I could dine in. So dine in it was. There were a few items on the menu that I wanted to try but went with this one as I thought it could be interesting. This was their Banh Mi Prawn Toast, this was tasty - the toast was crispy and has banh mi flavours. 

The cafe was cosy, it felt like I was stepping into someone's home and the banana hotcakes were unassumingly very filling. 

It has passed lunch time by the time I cycled back to Bright from Wandiligong. As lunch didn't happen due to my non reservation, I got myself a steak and pepper pie for lunch. There are 4 other shops in different towns.

Cost plus 20 cents for ketchup. Sauces are chargeable in Australia. Good pie with proper meat and pronounced pepper flavour. 

Pardon the presentation, it was a takeaway meal and I didn't do any plating for photos haha. 

When I started to google about Bright and food, I have decided that this would be one of the meals to have. They only do takeaway on my visit, I'm not sure if it has always been takeaway only or otherwise or would have dine-in in future. Tasty Japanese curry and I would return but didn't simply because I want to try food from other shops. Yep, I intentionally made it that only one meal per shop.

6. Cherry Walk Cafe

Probably a non updated menu mentioned of BLET - bacon, lettuce, fried egg and tomato sandwich. However when I ordered at the counter, I saw it was actually BLAT - bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato sandwich which were good too. 

They had buttermilk waffles served with caramelised Wandi apple, caramel sauce, hazelnut crumble or (or banana and maple) and vanilla bean ice-cream on their menu. I was tempted but bacon won. 

7. Bright Ice-Creamery

There is no option for 1 scoop, in case the price tag gave you a little fright. This was after the Apex Lookout Walk but before lunch where ice-creams were needed to cool down. 

8. Ginger Baker Cafe

There was a group of workmates (my assumption based on observation) were having their Christmas lunch there. This photo was taken after they have left, while I was waiting for food. 

Based on my first two days' dinner, my friend remarked that it didn't feel like I was in regional Victoria. Haha, no more fusion or Asian food and a burger made an appearance. Decent burger. 

Most of the cafes were not open as it was fairly close to Christmas and I was influenced by the hot weather to have cold juice. This was their green smoothie - apple, celery, cucumber, pear, banana, spinach and kale. The panettone was brought from home, meant to be my breakfast/snack on commuting to Bright but did not end up eating.