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 €75 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
€75
18 Aug - 19 Aug
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! (1,003 reviews)
"The area was clean tidy and comfortable. A little outdated but overall nice"

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Mid City Ballarat
Quest Ballarat Station

Quest Ballarat Station

4 out of 5
Nolan, 11, Soldiers Hill, VIC
The price is €132 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
€132
29 Aug - 30 Aug
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! (481 reviews)
"Comfortable room."

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Quest Ballarat Station
Quest Ballarat

Quest Ballarat

4.5 out of 5
7-11 Dawson Street North, Ballarat, VIC
Fully refundable
The price is €94 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€94
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ballarat. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (707 reviews)
"I love Quest , I pick this company because of its comfort and great service. Ballarat Quest was good , but definitely not sound proof . Unfortunately our neighbors came back around 3.30 am we could hear them in the corridor talking then entering there room , they were very loud for an another good ..."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Quest Ballarat
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.
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! (481 reviews)
"Comfortable room."

Reviewed on 13 Aug 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! (943 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our night. Would definitely choose to stay there for all my future Ballarat overnights."

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

The Provincial Boutique Hotel
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa Villas

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa Villas

4 out of 5
3 Forest Avenue, Hepburn Springs, VIC
Stay at this 4-star spa vacation home in Hepburn Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (91 reviews)
"We have stayed at the property on several occasions. Close to the Hepburn Spa, quiet location, with excellent accommodation."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa Villas
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