THE SITE
The Paddock eco village is on 1.39 hectares of light bushland, just 1.4km from the centre of Castlemaine.
It is within easy walking distance of local schools, the train station (with fast 1 hour services to Melbourne), shops, cafes and restaurants.
The traditional owners of the land are the DjaDja Wurrung people. We pay our respects to these and other indigenous people in the region.
The Paddock eco village, 19 Reckleben Street, Castlemaine VIC 3450
CASTLEMAINE
Castlemaine Post Office
Fast facts:
Shire population: 18,000
Castlemaine population: 8,000
Distance to Melbourne: 120km
Travelling to Melbourne: 80-90 minutes by Calder Freeway or 1.25 to 1.5 hours by train
Schools: five primary, one Steiner, one secondary college
Restaurants and cafes: around 20 offering local organic, modern Australian, Thai, French, Italian
Markets: Castlemaine Farmers’ Market (monthly) and Wesley Hill Market (Saturdays)
Castlemaine is 120km north west of Melbourne and 110km from the Melbourne International Airport, with excellent road, rail and bus connections.
With a population of around 8,000, Castlemaine is a lively central Victorian community nestled between Bendigo and Ballarat. Once home to the world’s richest shallow alluvial goldfield and now renowned for the arts, environmental activism and the beauty of its built and natural environments, Castlemaine today is a relaxed 21st century city in a stately 19th century setting.
The local station is on the Bendigo train line and is serviced by 20 trains daily, making a Melbourne commute for work or pleasure very convenient. Cycling is a popular mode of transport around town, and beyond. Main road access to Castlemaine is via the Calder Freeway.
Castlemaine has developed a reputation as a fine food and wine destination. Around 20 cafes and restaurants offer a range of cuisines including local organic, Italian, French and Thai.
There is an outstanding array of facilities with five primary schools, a Steiner school, a secondary school, a large hospital, botanical gardens, recreation facilities and the iconic Theatre Royal, the oldest continually operating theatre on the Australian mainland. There is also a very strong local music and arts scene, including the biennial Castlemaine State Festival, Victoria’s premier regional arts festival.
In the past five years, the major complex of the woollen mill opposite the botanical gardens has been cleverly redeveloped to house modern entertainment, craft, food and drink businesses.