Winter in Maldon

Posted on by Miriam

With nature calling, I stepped out of the camper into a chilly winter morning.  Dressed lightly in my Ugg Boots and a coat, I set out for a walk, intending only to venture where I needed to, but the place looked enchanting at that hour. When I got to the edge of the peaceful Maldon Caravan Park and approached the bridge I felt compelled to keep walking.

The bridge beckons me forward

This was last weekend, where we had an over night stay in probably the most intact and authentic gold rush town in Australia.  It’s less than two hours from Melbourne, but it could have been a world away, far from the stresses of our busy world.

The walk lead me past tall trees, heritage homes and grand buildings.   Apparently there’s gold still to be found here.  Untapped gold, under ground, in the hills, behind buildings …

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I walked all the way into town before realising that the cold air was seeping into my bones and turning my fingers into icicles.  No wonder the streets were deserted!  It was time to turn around and head back to our campsite, to rug up and have breakfast, round up the troops and return to explore some more.  So that’s what I did.

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Fast forward a few hours and we’re all back and walking along the main street of Maldon.

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It’s winter here and the trees are barren but there’s plenty of color and life around.

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The town is currently in the middle of a month long Maldon in Winter festival.

Inside Christmas shop (800x533)

I stepped through a door and was transported into a fairy tale Christmas scene.  This store is dedicated to the festive season all year round and is an absolute treat for the senses.

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Not only is the entire town heritage listed with the notable title of Australia’s most intact gold rush town but it has a fascinating history.

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All of the buildings are as they were back in the gold rush days. It’s like stepping back in time.  Just like at the Goldfields Railway

Both steam trains arriving (800x533)

Who doesn’t love a steam train ride?  Especially when two steam trains departed, full steam ahead, at the same time.  It happens once a year and we were on board one of them to experience it.  It was so exciting, I felt like a big kid again.

It was like stepping into a Harry Potter movie with all the romance and magic of the rail era.  The return trip to Maldon was a treat as we enjoyed first class service and fun.

I fell in love with Maldon, with it’s quaint streetscape, gold rush history, friendly vibe and amazing surroundings.  Aside from some fabulous eateries and shops in the main street, there are walks to gold mines and tunnels, to the top of Tarrengower Tower, with stunning views over the township.  We could have easily spent a few days there.

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Wishing you all a happy and fun week ahead.  Hope you get to do something spontaneous this week, to relax and enjoy life, where ever you are, whether you’re in Maldon, Mentone or Minneapolis.

Stay safe and continue to enjoy the journey.

Sharing for Jo’s Monday walk.

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64 thoughts on “Winter in Maldon”

  7. Thank you so much, Miriam, and I’m sorry it’s taken me a while to get here. So strange to see such bleak trees when it’s a riot of green here. 🙂 Something about steam trains with all their huffing and puffing, isn’t there? 🙂

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  8. Oh… I am so jealous (again)! I would love this place so much! I really need to run away. And I suppose if I actually ran, on foot, I could afford to do it. Sadly, that’s the only way I could… and I’m pretty sure I cannot run… or walk… on water, though. (Pretty sure… Ha! Actually, I tried once. Walked off the diving board of my parents’ pool and stepped onto the water. Did not remain on top of it, of course. 🙂

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  13. Wow! Amazing! Places which transports back to an old time are just magical! The grafitti on wall looks so distinctive of that gold rush era, and the steam train must have been an added delight! They bring the memories of yesteryears so strongly! 😀 Great trip!

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  15. I always love to go to places where history is so well preserved that we feel as if we are literally stepping back into time! Maldon looks gorgeous! I especially loved the early-morning photos. Thanks for braving the cold in order to take them!

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  16. What a lovely look into a very quaint town. I had to laugh as I also thought of Harry Potter when I got to the trains photos, then found myself hearing an imaginary “Aaaallll Abooooaaard!” Did you go inside that bakery? 🙂

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    1. Thanks Saxon. They actually have some awesome Christmas in July dining packages at the moment. But Christmas aside it’s such a great place. Lots to see and do there. Cheers.

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  26. Oh how fun!! I love the old steam trains! I’m so glad you had such a wonderful visit and got a chance to see and do all of that! It reminded me of field trips I took as a kid to California Gold Rush country, near where I grew up. Isn’t it the neatest thing to see the world much as it was back then?

    ❤ *hugs*

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      1. They are so fun! I’ve always wanted to ride one. I used to live near train tracks many years ago, and every so often, a steam train would go by for an exhibit thing. It was always exciting to hear them coming. 🙂

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        3. Yep, why not. I don’t actually have a bucket list, I tend to just live life as it comes but maybe I should! 🙂 Hope you’ve had a good day Vanessa. xo

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  27. Miriam, I almost felt like I with you on your outing at Maldon. In some ways it reminded me of the Maldon not far from us – I’m always cold there! Also we often enjoy travelling on the steam trains – pure nostalgia.Interesting about the gold rush and love the Christmas shop – never too early to buy a couple of ornaments!

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  28. Hi Miriam,
    I grew up in Maldon in the 1980’s but I now live half a world away in Bangkok.
    My grandfather used to be the tour guide down at Carmen’s Tunnel and I spent a great deal of time down there “helping out” – it was magical.
    We lived just off the train line and I used to always walk past that beautiful old station marveling at how majestic it was and wondering how it must have been like when it was in full swing in the late 1800’s.
    The bakery (and the beautiful young Jodie who “lives” there) was my most favorite place in the whole town. They used to bake averyrhing with the word fires oven there until only a few years ago.
    Thank you for the trip down memory lane – it was wonderful!

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    2. Hi Liam, I don’t know how you came upon my post but I’m so happy that you did and that it brought back such great memories. It really is a wonderful town and we had such a fun time there. I’ve actually just written an article which has just been accepted by a magazine here, promoting the town even more, I wish I’d spoken to you before I’d written it! Thanks for sharing your memories. Cheers.

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