So we’ve left the metropolitan area and made our way into Australian gold rush country! I spent some time in the lovely town of Castlemaine and was blown away by the incredible gourmet food in this quaint community. And I was even more blown away by the fabulous vegan food in Castlemaine!
Castlemaine is about an hour and a half north of Melbourne. And old gold rush settlement, roughly about the time of the American gold rush, Castlemaine boasts a thriving town square in the buildings that could tell a thousand tales from well over a hundred years ago. It’s hip meets history and I’m so glad I got to discover it!
One of the best Thai meals I’ve had outside of Thailand was here at a great eatery named Naam Pla. While Thai is easily veganizable, I didn’t even have to try as they had a dedicated vegan menu in addition to their regular menu! I had a delectable coconut soup and mushroom appetizer upon arriving in town and new I was going to love it here ; )
As always, I love to stock up on a few things when I’m hangin’ out in a place for a few days. I stumbled upon Castlemaine Natural Food Store and they had plenty to offer a healthy, vegan and/or gluten free traveler! With a nice sized frozen and dry food selection, they also have great health and beauty products as well as for the home. A great addition to an already fun town!
For a fine dining experience, The Good Table is a must. Featuring local, seasonal, organic fare, they too had beautiful vegan options that left me speechless! I had a terrific foraged mushroom dish with seasonal veggies along with a fresh salad that put a big ol’ smile on my face. I could eat there every night! Plus, the building has such a rich history, it’s a fun dining experience all around.
On one of my last days in Castlemaine, I dined at Saff’s Cafe where they had vegan brunch! Also, located in an old inn, like The Good Table, it’s as charming as it is delicious. Great coffee, tasty food and a fun staff, Saff’s is a great place for a casual meal.
And one last entry that you can’t miss, is Apple Annie’s. A really cute bakery and B&B, they serve up vegan pastries and sandwiches that a re great on the go! 
Well, it’s time to head out of the country and into the desert! Next up, Uluru, aka Ayer’s Rock!
