The Macedon Ranges is a beautiful region situated in the heart of Central Victoria. Less than one hour from Melbourne, this stunning location features dramatic landscapes, historic villages, and a vibrant local community. The modern Shire of Macedon Ranges is located in the traditional country of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples.
This part of Victoria is popular with couples, families, and retirees — many of whom want to move here permanently. If you’re looking for a luxury home builder in the Macedon Ranges, Jackson Dwellings is the proven solution. Whether you’re looking to escape the city, buy a holiday home, or enjoy a quiet retirement, we can create a custom luxury home for you.
Natural Highlights
If you love spending time in nature, the Macedon Ranges is pretty hard to beat. Along with quirky villages and artisanal food and wine, the area is known for its stunning natural sights. The following attractions deserve special mention:
Hanging Rock
Australia’s second-most famous rock is known by its traditional owners as “Ngannelong.” It’s a sacred gathering place and a culturally significant landmark with a reliable source of water. The rock itself is a former volcano, which cooled and contracted over time to create the stunning formations of today. This landscape is home to an incredible variety of native flora and fauna, including a large population of wild kangaroos. If you want to explore the surrounding area, the Pinnacle Walk is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Sanatorium Lake
Sanatorium Lake is located in Macedon Regional Park. This beautiful spot is loved by bushwalkers, who enjoy traversing the Sanatorium Lake Eco-Trail. While this walk is only 2.5 km in length, it connects with the much longer 29 km Macedon Ranges Walking Trail. This famous track incorporates Camels Hump, the Memorial Cross, and other scenic highlights. For a truly memorable experience, you can enjoy an audio-guided walk with a multilayered soundtrack.
Camel’s Hump
Camel’s Hump is a stunning rocky outcrop situated on Mount Macedon. It’s the highest peak of the Macedon Ranges at 1,011 m, and it offers superb views of the surrounding countryside. While it might not be as famous as Hanging Rock, Camel’s Hump is a beautiful location and a fantastic way to get some exercise. The steep 500 m ascent to the top is definitely worth it, and there are also gentle walks starting from the Camel’s Hump Car Park.
Garden Delights
Along with these iconic natural spots, the Macedon Ranges is also full of glorious gardens. Some of the residential gardens in the villages are amazing, and many can be accessed with an admission fee. Popular gardens include the Duneira Estate and the historic Forest Glade and hill station gardens on Mount Macedon. During April, lots of private gardens open their gates to the public during the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival. Later in the year, the Bolobek Garden Fair opens to the public in October.
Location and Transportation
As mentioned above, the Macedon Ranges is located less than one hour from Melbourne by car. It’s only slightly longer to Bendigo, and Ballarat is less than one-and-a-half hours away. Whether you’re taking a day trip, visiting for the weekend, or moving here for good, this makes the entire area incredibly accessible. Along with car transportation, the Macedon Ranges also has a V-Line link direct to Melbourne.
The V-Line’s fast-rail service travels between Melbourne and Bendigo. This convenient line stops at seven stations in the Macedon Ranges area: Clarkefield, Riddells Creek, Gisborne, Macedon, Woodend, Kyneton, and Malmsbury. While Mount Macedon itself is not accessible by train, the wider area has fantastic coverage. There’s more than 20 services a day on Monday to Friday, with a few less on the weekends. Check the official V-Line website for a detailed timetable.
If you’ve fallen in love with this beautiful part of the world, you’re certainly not alone. Local families are settling in and building their luxury homes, and Melbournians are packing up and moving here permanently. Building a luxury home in the Macedon Ranges is a dream for many, with this area offering great land prices and an unbeatable lifestyle.
At Jackson Dwellings, our custom homes are designed to complement this incredible natural environment. Whether you want to live in the villages or off the beaten track, we can help you. Please contact our team to connect with Macedon Ranges most trusted luxury home builder.
