Top Things To Do In Bacchus Marsh

Introduction: Bacchus Marsh is a charming regional town located in Victoria, Australia, approximately 50 km west of Melbourne. Nestled in a picturesque valley between the Werribee and Lerderderg Rivers, this town is renowned for its natural beauty and agricultural heritage.

Often referred to as the "food bowl" of Victoria, Bacchus Marsh boasts fertile soils that support a thriving horticultural industry, particularly its famous orchards, market gardens, and berry farms including cherries and strawberries.

The Avenue of Honour, lined with majestic elm and plane trees, serves as a welcoming and very picturesque gateway into the town, paying homage to the local soldiers who served in World War I. Driving into Bacchus Marsh is just so pretty!

Top Things To Do In Bacchus Marsh — *Image: Westmelbourneandbeyond.com*

Present Day: Its proximity to Melbourne makes it a popular destination for day trippers looking to explore the countryside, pick fresh produce, or enjoy scenic drives through the rolling hills of the Moorabool Shire.

Bacchus Marsh also serves as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, with nearby attractions such as the Lerderderg State Park, Werribee Gorge and Wombat State Forest offering opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife spotting.

Best known for: Today Bacchus Marsh is probably best known for the strawberry and cherry festival each spring, it's fresh produce throughout the year and especially its strawberries and cherries and secondly as a gateway to many hikes especially in Werribee Gorge.

Distance to Melbourne: Bacchus Marsh is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Melbourne CBD so is very accessible for day trips from Melbourne.

Suggested Itinerary:

These are our top picks of things to do on a first time visit to Bacchus Marsh.

Visit on 1st or 3rd Saturday of month to enjoy the Darley Market.
or Visit on the 4th Sunday of month to enjoy the Eynesbury Market 20 mins drive away.
Walk the local shops. Bacchus Marsh is pretty small so it won't take too long.
Visit the Forge Bookbarn for second hand books and local history. Saturdays and 2nd Sunday of month.
Visit the Blacksmiths Cottage for local history and a museum experience. 4th Sunday of the month only.
Walk the Werribee Gorge Long Circuit Walk for one of the best, most diverse and prettiest walks close to Melbourne City.
Have lunch at the Courthouse Hotel for a classic pub lunch.
Have a picnic at Mackenzies Flat and walk to Graham's Dam.
Go fruit picking at Payne's Orchards or Naturipe Fruits.
Enjoy more local walks nearby.
Bacchus Marsh Twilight Market: Note - this is a seasonal market only. More info here.

Optional Extras:

If you have time to spare why not consider.

Visit or lunch at Eynesbury Homestead. A 20 min drive.
Walk the Eynesbury Heritage Trail. A 20 min drive.
Brunch or lunch at Ms Peacock, Eynesbury. A 20 min drive.
Visit the Eynesbury Market on the 4th Sunday of each month. A 20 min drive.

In More Detail:

We've outlined some of the best things to do in Bacchus Marsh on a day trip. Bacchus Marsh doesn't justify more than a day trip for most travellers unless you are visiting family and friends or intend to do multiple walks in Lerderderg State Park or Werribee Gorge State Park.

1. Blacksmiths Cottage:

Blacksmiths Cottage is a heritage-listed site that offers visitors a glimpse into the town's rich history. Located at 100 Main Street, this historic property dates back to the 1850s and has been home to blacksmiths and their families for over a century.

The Blacksmiths Cottage holds National Trust classification and is listed on the National Estate, making it a significant landmark in the region..

If you love your history, enjoy visiting museums or just want to see everything in Bacchus Marsh then the Blacksmiths Cottage is definitely worth a visit.

Best for: A trip down memory lane. Seeing everything that Bacchus Marsh has to offer.

More Information on Blacksmiths Cottage

2. Forge Bookbarn:

The Forge Bookbarn is a true gem for book lovers, second hand shoppers, bargain hunters and casual readers.

Located in a beautifully restored barn on the edge of the town centre (it's still very central as Bacchus Marsh shopping area is pretty small), Forge Bookbarn combines rustic charm with an extensive selection of books, making it a delightful destination for anyone with a love for literature.

Best for: Admiring the beautiful building and searching for a bargain book.

More Information on Forge Bookbarn

3. Darley Market:

The Darley market is on twice a month which is handy for out of town visitors.

Great for bric a brac, plants, tools, food stalls, toys, books and more.

Best for: Rummaging around, searching for a bargain, plants and just having a general wander.

More Information on Darley Market

4. Picnic at Mackenzies Flat and Graham's Dam:

Mackenzies Flat is perfect for a picnic and also doubles as a great swimming spot.

For those a bit more adventurous take the relatively short walk to Graham's Dam.

Best for: A picnic and a swim.

More Information on MacKenzies Flat

5. Lunch at Courthouse Hotel:

The Courthouse Hotel is great for a modern Australian pub lunch.

Modern pub cuisine and great atmosphere as it's busy and the locals seem to love it. Not a particularly distinctive pub but a pumping venue always creates a bit of a positive vibe.

Best for: A modern pub lunch in the country.

More Information on Courthouse Hotel

5. Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk:

The Werribee Gorge Long Circuit is easily the best walk in the Werribee Gorge State Park.

This walk is highly recommended and a personal favourite. We have walked it several times. We love it! Don't be tempted to be lazy and do the short circuit walk as that is a significant down scale in scenery and omits all the attractive parts of the walk.

Best for: A great scenic and diverse walk. One of the premiere day walks in Victoria.

More Information on Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk

6. Falcon's Lookout Walk:

The Falcon's Lookout Walk is the second best walk in Werribee Gorge State Park.

This walk has great scenery and we have walked it multiple times because we enjoy it so much. Highly recommended.

Best for: Spectacular views.

More Information on Falcon's Lookout Walk

7. Centenary Track:

Centenary Track Walk is perfect if you are running out of things to do in Bacchus Marsh. Probably down the list a bit from the best walks around Bacchus Marsh but still quite enjoyable and the mountain (really a hill or giant mound) is quite a prominant peak in the park so it's a nice achievement to walk to the top.

Best for: A sense of achievement. Different views.

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8. Payne's Orchards:

Fruit picking at Payne's Orchards is perfect if you love your fruit fresh, full of flavour, enjoy a fun outdoor outing and support local farmers and producers. Great for cherries, peaches, apricots, apples and more.

Best for: Delicious flavours, fun in the outdoors and fruit to die for. Highly recommended.

More Information on Payne's Orchards

9. Strawberry and Cherry Festival:

The Bacchus Marsh Strawberry and Cherry Festival is one of the best festivals in regional Victoria. The town really comes alive during this festival and you would be forgiven for thinking you were in Melbourne such is the vibe and the crowds.

Carnival rides, street market, live entertainment and music, picnic lawn, many stalls, multiple food vendors and strawberry and cherry fruit picking. A real community festival with an incredible vibe. One of our all time favourite festivals in Victoria.

Best for: Community spirit, atmosphere, crowds, vibe, entertainment and delicious local fruit. Highly recommended.

More Information on Strawberry and Cherry Festival

10. Hide and Seek Festival:

The Hide and Seek Festival is held bi-annually across Moorabool Shire including Bacchus Marsh and other smaller towns. Art, live music, performances, workshops, food stalls and more bring life to regional Victoria.

Best for: Visiting small town Victoria and live entertainment and arts.

More Information on the Hide and Seek Festival

11. Fruit Picking at Naturipe:

Fruit picking at Naturipe is perfect if you love your fruit fresh, full of flavour, enjoy a fun outdoor outing and support local farmers and producers. Great for cherries, peaches, apricots, apples and more.

Best for: Delicious flavours, fun in the outdoors and fruit to die for. Highly recommended.

More Information on Naturipe

In Conclusion:

Bacchus Marsh is close to Melbourne and as such makes for a great daytrip. The strawberry and cherry festival is perfect for those who like to visit once a year while spring and summer is great if you love fruit picking and fresh summer fruits such as cherries, strawberries, peaches and apricots.

Bacchus Marsh also serves as the perfect gateway to walks in Lerderderg State Park and Werribee Gorge State Park for hikers and lovers of nature. Depending on the weekend you visit enjoy the Darley Market or drive 20 minutes to the fantastic Eynesbury Market.