We left the Calder Highway at  Malmsbury- a town in a steep dip down to  a pretty river and lovely picnic grounds. Passed the historic railway station just off the highway and headed towards Daylesford. After a few Km of open high farmland and turned right at Vaughan Springs road which soon became a wonderful archway of native forest which is probably a state forest.
We saw a kangaroo cross the road too. Short period of good gravel road- 3-5km only, good. Passed over a lovely river on the little Wellington Bridge  which seemed to have a Parks Victoria name on  it, just before the Springs campground - others were camped at this bridge-  along riverside under lovely trees, looked like no-ones land. NO fences.
 Arrived Vaughan Springs 10.15 am in brilliant sunshine. Only 2 other cars there too. Took a 10 min stroll along river and saw 2 red streaked finches - red rump and red cheeks. in short grass.
 

Vaughan Springs Picnic and Camping Area parks vic. near Castlemaine

kids  giant slide at the springs- this is distorted to look much flatter!

After the Springs we drove toward Castlemaine past a very historic small town Yapeen & on the  main road to Bendigo

Castlemaine  wattle near lookout  the day we went
to the Art GAllery for MSWPS show

Took a fast drive up the main street to see the absolutely marvelous grand 3 story Victorian Buildings with fancy verandahs and central spectacular gardens full of flowers and huge evergreen pine tress and English trees and green lawns and saw old trams running and remnant of Poppet heads of gold mine shafts.
After Bendigo the road in open wheat fields and very flat and rather dull.
 

Melville Caves  25 Km west of Inglewood in  Kooyoora State park

The walk from the upper car park/picnic ground to the top with great views and wind!

Melville Rocks from lower campground Kooyoora State park -dry

 

see pics of flowers and a view and rocks here::
http://mag-ic.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/outdoored/western_victoria/melville_caves.htm

Walk to the view -5 mins steep
Absolute top- dizzying

Spacious Camping area below rocks- Apr2001
and motor home travels  in Vic with dogs!! [and solar stuff??]

Inglewood

Shop with vine -we saw a pub with a huge vine!

Old court house