Lancefield: Megafauna, Wine and Historic Buildings

Lancefield combines a distinctive 19th-century streetscape with a site where Australian megafauna fossils were found, regional wine and cycling opportunities. Historic buildings, traces of a much older natural history, culinary offerings and a gravel cycling route give the town several different facets. Which ones you choose to focus on can give your trip and your choice of base a clear direction.

Historic Streetscape and Megafauna

Lancefield preserves intact 19th-century buildings that form an attractive streetscape. Remains of Australian megafauna are also preserved underground at Lancefield Swamp. The fossil site is considered the best megafauna site in Victoria and one of the five most significant in Australia. This places two different perspectives on time side by side in Lancefield: the built heritage visible in the streetscape, and a much older natural history associated with the preserved megafauna remains.

Market, Wine and Local Produce

The Lancefield & District Farmers’ Market provides a sales platform for producers. Its range includes vegetables, fruit, honey, eggs, wine, cakes, bread, preserves and herbs, as well as poultry, meat and other non-agricultural products. A monthly market featuring regional produce is also part of Lancefield’s character. The market is held on High Street on the fourth Saturday of each month, and on the third Saturday in December. If you want to plan your stay around it, check the dates before your trip.

There are several ways to discover wine in Lancefield. Parkside Winery and Farm is located in town and offers a wine and country experience at its Cellar Door. The Laneways of Lancefield Wine Adventure includes four wineries in the Lancefield wine region; the first day’s itinerary can be done by bicycle. Curly Flat is a small, privately run winery in Lancefield, with its own vineyard and wine production. This means you can explore the wine scene through a Cellar Door experience, an itinerary visiting several wineries, or a single producer with its own vineyard and production.

Brewery and Beer Styles

Lancefield also has a brewery and restaurant: Lost Watering Hole is both, and makes its craft beers using the German brewing method. Its four core beers include Big Roo, a Pale Ale; Flightless, a Draught; Wide Wombi, an India Pale Ale; and Swamp Rat, a Dark Lager. The names and styles show the variety of the core range, without taking attention away from the wine offerings.

Cycling and Choosing Where to Stay

The Federation Trail is a 16-kilometre gravel cycling route that forms a loop between Romsey and Lancefield. The first day of the Laneways of Lancefield Wine Adventure can also be done by bicycle. The two offerings have different points of focus: the trail is defined by its length, gravel surface and loop route, while the wine itinerary offers cycling as an option for the first day.

For those travelling by car, Lancefield is just a short drive from both the Calder and Hume Freeways. This can help you focus your search for a hotel in Lancefield on the themes that matter to your trip.

Discover More Destinations

St Andrews Beach, Granite Rock, Beaufort, Werribee South, Korweinguboora, Cocamba, Welshmans Reef, Newham

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.