Clunes

Travel Guide

Take a trip back to the Victorian goldmining boom as you walk the main street of this unspoiled 19th-century getaway and internationally recognised destination for books.

Clunes is a remarkably well-preserved relic in the Goldfields region and its wide main street is lined with heritage buildings and original frontages from the gold rush era. Once the fifth-largest settlement in the state, Clunes appears much as it did in the 19th century, only with the addition of restaurants serving locally produced cuisine and wines, indulgent holiday lodgings and a fun-filled annual festival dedicated to books.

Stroll through a piece of living history on Clunes’ main street. Wide enough to turn a horse and cart, this street is characterised by its ornate shopfronts with broad awnings and charming hand-painted signage. Stop by the Clunes Visitor Information Centre, housed within a 1870s schoolhouse, to learn about the area’s history.

You might recognise Clunes from the Ned Kelly and Mad Max films, both of which used Clunes as a set for an authentic Australian outback town. Check out Clunes’ various antique shops and bookstores. Artists, writers, historians, bushwalkers and gold prospectors can be found amid the town’s cosy bars. Stop by the stately old Italianate Post Office, which dates back to 1878 and now houses a second-hand bookshop.

If it’s books you’re seeking, don’t miss the chance to see Clunes come alive as an International Booktown. The only town in the Southern Hemisphere with this status, Clunes is transformed into a hotspot for the printed word each May. The Clunes Booktown Festival draws over 60 booksellers to set up shop within the heritage bluestone buildings all over town. Thousands of new, second-hand, collectable and antique books are bought and sold. Literature lovers will enjoy the festival’s events, which include author talks, book signings and exciting swap meets.

Clunes is 139 kilometres (86.4 miles) northwest of Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city. The town is accessible by train on the railway line that connects Ballarat to Mildura.

A pleasant scenic drive a short distance west from Clunes will bring you to the charming town of Talbot. Here, you’ll find an excellent farmers’ market, held on the third Sunday of each month. Travel further to the Mount Beckworth Nature Reserve to find gorgeous native Australian bushland and a series of walking trails.

Mid City Ballarat

Mid City Ballarat

4 out of 5
19 Doveton St North, Ballarat, VIC
The price is HK$638 per night from 24 Oct to 25 Oct
HK$638
HK$755 total
24 Oct - 25 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star motel in Ballarat. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
Great

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Mid City Ballarat
Quest Ballarat Station

Quest Ballarat Station

4 out of 5
Nolan, 11, Soldiers Hill, VIC
The price is HK$912 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
HK$912
HK$1,004 total
4 Nov - 5 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Ballarat. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (501 reviews)
can 't wait to go back everything was perfect.

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Quest Ballarat Station
Mineral Springs Hotel

Mineral Springs Hotel

3.5 out of 5
124 Main Road, Hepburn Springs, VIC
The price is HK$1,148 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
HK$1,148
HK$1,271 total
11 Nov - 12 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Hepburn Springs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (539 reviews)
Welcome staff & breakfast staff were lovely. Rooms were big, comfortable and beautifully clean & well refreshed. We also enjoyed time at the Spa which was delightful. An exquisite time had at Mineral Springs Hotel

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Mineral Springs Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Heritage, renovated, miners Cottage in Clunes

Heritage, renovated, miners Cottage in Clunes

Clunes
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Clunes. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Bottle Museum and Clunes Museum are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (59 reviews)
Lovely heritage cottage and equally lovely host. Quiet and relaxing place to stay for our long weekend away. The town is long past its boom days but retains a lot of its charm regardless as well as its recognition of its gold mining history and its focus on being a "Book Town", including a Booktown ...

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

Heritage, renovated, miners Cottage in Clunes
Quest Ballarat Station

Quest Ballarat Station

4 out of 5
Nolan, 11, Soldiers Hill, VIC
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Ballarat. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (501 reviews)
can 't wait to go back everything was perfect.

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Quest Ballarat Station
The Provincial Boutique Hotel

The Provincial Boutique Hotel

5 out of 5
121 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat, VIC
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Ballarat. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (964 reviews)
Great central location. Great parking. Nice staff. Our room had no proper window to the outside. This was a huge letdown.

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

The Provincial Boutique Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit