The busy commercial and cultural hub of the region, Castlemaine is well known for its prosperous history and vibrant atmosphere.
Once the centre of the richest alluvial goldfield in the world, Castlemaine's population peaked at the height of the gold rush when the town almost became the state's capital.
Now home to just under 7,000 people, Castlemaine is better known as a destination for cyclists, history buffs, car enthusiasts, nature lovers, foodies and creatives. It's also a thriving community with successful industry, active local sporting clubs and quality schools and services; including a new secondary college and a busy local hospital.
Sitting above the Great Divide and enjoying more days of winter sunshine than neighbouring towns, central Castlemaine offers plenty of green open spaces including the beautiful Botanical Gardens and Kalimna Park. You don't have to travel far to strike more natural attractions with popular sites like the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park and Castlemaine to Maldon Rail Trail all within easy reach. The local pool is also a popular spot in summer.
Castlemaine's reputation as a food and wine destination is growing with a lively local dining scene and small batch producers turning out everything from wine and beer to bread, charcuterie, coffee and ice cream. The centre of town offers great grocery and specialty shops and the construction of a new supermarket has just been approved.
Weekends are alive with farmers' and artists' markets, local sport, cultural events, theatre and live music. There's vintage shopping, artists studios and galleries. The Castlemaine State Festival draws an international crowd and prominent buildings like the Old Castlemaine Gaol and The Mill have recently been re-imagined as food, art, business and community spaces.
Getting around
Castlemaine is roughly 30 minutes from Bendigo and just over an hours drive from Melbourne on the Calder Freeway. Services to Bendigo and Melbourne operate regularly from the Castlemaine railway station with new weekly services and trains recently added to meet the growing demand of commuters.
Services
Castlemaine is connected to the NBN. Town water, electricity and natural gas are all connected.
Median house price
Median sale price for a house in Castlemaine is $638,000*.
Median rent for a house in Castlemaine is $395 per week*.
Property
Castlemaine has shown consistently good growth over the last few years but still offers great affordability with homes costing, on average, half of Melbourne properties. Demand from both local buyers and people seeking a more relaxed life in the country continues to be strong.
Properties available include historic miners cottages, Victorian and Edwardian homes, workers cottages and California bungalows along with affordable units and more modern dwellings. The opening of new housing estates has provided another option for interested in house and land packages within 3 – 4kms of the centre of town.
Rental accommodation is available but as a high percentage of homes are owner occupied this can be more difficult to secure.
* www.realestate.com.au updated 24th November 2021
In the area
- Castlemaine Primary
- Castlemaine North Primary
- Winters Flat Primary
- Campbells Creek Primary
- Castlemaine Secondary College
- Castlemaine Steiner School and Kindergarten
- Olivet Christian College
- St Mary’s Primary School
- Castlemaine Childcare Co-operative and Kindergarten
- Johnstone Street Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten
- Castlemaine Kindergarten
- South Castlemaine Kindergarten
- Ray Street Children’s Centre
- Castlemaine Health