Newstead.

Situated on the banks of the Loddon River about a two-hour drive north-west of Melbourne, Newstead is a charm-filled village in the heart of Victoria's Central Goldfields region. The historic town boasts a warm and welcoming community of around 500 locals who understand the importance of sustainability and preserving the area's natural beauty.

Unlike other gold rush towns in the region, Newstead's growth was not driven by mining. Instead, it flourished as a crossing point on the Loddon River, and a hotel was built near the crossing in 1853. The future township took its name from the hotel, and Newstead was born.

Today, Newstead offers a delightful array of attractions for visitors and residents alike. From cosy cafes and art galleries to local wineries and artist studios; the town even has its own monthly newspaper, the Newstead Echo, which highlights the latest news and events in the area.

Even though it has a rich history in the gold rush era, Newstead has maintained its peaceful and laid-back vibe. With a strong community feel and a range of amenities such as a community centre, swimming pool, licensed IGA, and some quality schools, this town has everything you need.

With more people working from home, or leaving the city chaos behind, Newstead is close enough to major centres and transport to be a convenient home base, or an easy and quiet country retreat.