Last weekend we took a short break to the once famous gold rush town of  Castlemaine, about an hours drive northwest of Melbourne. For accommodation, we opted to stay the night at the beautiful (yet a little haunting) art deco The Midland B&B.

The highlight of The Midland was the amazing sitting room on the ground floor. The room features an eclectic mix of Victorian and Art Deco styles, and its furnishings and artworks fascinated us, particularly the portrait of owner Mauro, which was painted by a past guest.

With it’s quirks and rough edges this B&B won’t be for everyone, but it is a rare chance to experience the rich character of a past era.

On the drive home we stopped into the quaint nearby towns of Newstead, Maldon and lunch at our favourite Daylesford.