Malmsbury

Malmsbury is in the Daylesford/Macedon region in central Victoria on the Old Calder Highway, 96 km north-west of Melbourne and 11 km north-west of Kyneton. Situated close by the Coliban River, Malmsbury has a population of 620.Malmsbury is in the Shire of Macedon Ranges.

The original inhabitants of the Malmsbury area were the Dja Dja Wurrung people. European settlement began with squatters raising sheep and cattle. Gold was discovered in 1858 and Malmsbury became a service centre for diggers. Malmsbury Post Office opened in 1854 and was closed within 2 months, and it re-opened again in 1856.

The Malmsbury area is known for its deposits of bluestone, used in the construction of notable buildings both in and around Malmsbury and throughout the state. The town also houses the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, a custodial centre for young adult males aged 18–21 deemed too vulnerable for adult prison.

Malmsbury has a railway station on the Melbourne to Bendigo railway line. The Malmsbury Viaduct River is a large masonry arch rail bridge constructed over the Coliban River in 1859 and is classified "A" by the National Trust. Malmsbury school uses the viaduct as its emblem. Part of the Calder Freeway bypassing Malmsbury was officially opened in 2008.

Since the Calder Freeway bypass construction Malmsbury is a getaway destination for tourists. During this period several restaurants have opened up in Malmsbury and some of them offer pet friendly dining. Malmsbury Bakery is also very popular.

Malmsbury offers pet friendly accommodation such as pet friendly cottages, pet friendly caravan parks and a number of lovely pet friendly bed and breakfasts. Pet services around the Malmsbury area include vets, farriers, pet breeders, boarding kennels, pet food shops, pet supplies retailers, dog groomers and dog washing services, horse riding ranches, saddleries, and pet products.

A comfortable and reasonably short drive from Melbourne, Malmsbury is a really lovely town to spend a weekend or a week or two to take away the stress of city life.