In St Andrews, a historically significant trail, glass art and specific wood-fired offerings sit side by side. The choice ranges from a clearly defined nature route to workshops and handmade products.
Nature Trail and Gold Mining History
The Smiths Gully to St Andrews Nature Trail follows Smiths Gully Creek and passes through the alluvial goldfields of Old Caledonia Gully, dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. The circuit starts at the Peter Franke Reserve car park, is 3 km long and takes 1 to 1.5 hours. The creek and the historic goldfields are therefore part of the same described loop. If you are interested in gold mining history, you can find it along the route here, rather than only in the place name.
Glass Art, Workshops and Handmade Gifts
At bizu studio, Jacqueline and Catherine make glass beads using the lampworking technique, which are used to create jewellery. They also blow small bud vases and perfume bottles from borosilicate glass. The workshops focus on lampwork glass art and jewellery making. If you want to plan a workshop in advance, check the dates beforehand.
The handmade gifts on offer include scarves made using Japanese shibori, soy wax candles, cast glass art, vintage glass and Japanese incense. Alongside the workshops, a range of items to browse and take home is also a focus; the selection may vary. If you are looking for a particular item, check its current availability before travelling.
Wood-Fired Bread, Pastries and Pizza
A Local Baker in St Andrews offers wood-fired breads and pastries, including chocolate-filled croissants. A Boy Named Sue in St Andrews offers wood-fired pizza. If you want to plan a visit to either of these places, check their current opening status before your trip.
Nillumbik Shire: Landscape and Trails in the Regional Context
In the wider destination of Nillumbik Shire, towns lie among unspoilt bushland and picturesque hills. The shire has an extensive network of trails for walking, horse riding and cycling. One specific example is the Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System: it comprises seven council-managed bushland reserves in the Panton Hill, Smiths Gully and Watsons Creek area, covering about 140 hectares in total. The reserves offer opportunities for bushwalking, birdwatching, horse riding and mountain biking.
The Green Wedge Trail offers the chance to explore Nillumbik’s rural areas. It runs from Watery Gully Road in Wattle Glen to Clintons Road in Smiths Gully. By comparison, the Smiths Gully to St Andrews Nature Trail is a single 3 km loop with a specified duration. The broader view of Nillumbik Shire, by contrast, encompasses a network of trails and several named activities.
Art and History in Nillumbik Shire
The cultural offerings in Nillumbik Shire also differ in scale and subject. Montsalvat is an arts centre and artists’ community founded in 1934. Set on a 12-acre site, it includes more than 34 buildings, including three galleries, 19 studios, a ceramics centre and event spaces for concerts. Offerings include exhibitions, studio programs and ceramics classes. Here, several artistic facilities and programs sit side by side, while the local focus in St Andrews is more specifically defined by the glass art and workshops described above.
Another historical perspective in the shire is the Hurstbridge Heritage Trail, which passes 30 historically significant sites. They range from early settlement to the mid-20th century. These different routes through history and culture offer different points of interest, depending on whether you are interested in goldfields, crafts or a broader regional heritage.
Discover more destinations: Port Albert, Yea, Benalla, Anakie, Spotswood, Aireys Inlet, Talbot, Flinders.
For the broader travel overview: Victoria.
