Creswick

During the gold rush era Creswick was a bustling gold mining town, its population reaching 25,000. Nowadays it retains more of a quiet village feel, and while some of the architecture is a reminder of its heyday, the population is less than a fifth of its previous numbers. Just a hop, skip and jump from one of Victoria’s major regional centres, Creswick remains a major drawcard for families looking for a quieter life, with a short commute to any number of job and schooling opportunities available in Ballarat. That said, it does have its own childcare, kindergarten and primary schools so kids can experience the true towny experience. It’s also home to a University of Melbourne campus, for potential studies later in life. Creswick has a national reputation thanks to its Woollen Mills, a family-run business that’s been designing and manufacturing woollen garments and homewares since 1947. Busloads of tourists flock to Creswick Woollen Mill for its quality products, cafe and animal feeding experiences. The town is also home to Le Péché Gourmand, an award-winning French bakery-pastry shop that has locals and visitors to Creswick coming back for more. St Georges Lake is a tranquil spot to visit, with swimming and walking trails making it another popular place in town.