Are there any good photography spots near daylesford/woodend or glenlyon, vic?

You've picked a beautiful pocket of Victoria for it, there are loads of options within a short drive. The classic in Daylesford itself is Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, perched on top of an extinct volcano with mature oaks, elms, conifers and a fernery, plus the Pioneer Lookout Tower for sweeping views over town. For those seeking panoramic vistas, a climb up the Pioneer Tower is highly recommended, providing stunning 360-degree views of Daylesford and the surrounding Hepburn Shire. Right next door is the Convent Gallery, which shares the same hill and has tiered gardens and a gorgeous look over the town, so you can easily do both in one stop. Lake Daylesford and Jubilee Lake are lovely too if you want water and reflections.

Out toward Glenlyon, my pick for something a bit more dramatic is Loddon Falls. It's a short 5-minute drive north of Glenlyon along the Loddon River, a stunning hidden gem with a dramatic waterfall cascading over striking hexagonal basalt columns into a tranquil swimming hole, before flowing through a spectacular rocky gorge. Just know it's an undeveloped spot, so as your photographers we'd factor in proper shoes, a bit of extra time and a backup plan: it has a steep incline and dirt tracks that can get muddy in the wetter months, and restricted access when there has been significant rainfall. Closer to the village, the historic Glenlyon Store and the Glenlyon Mineral Spring reserve along Kangaroo Creek both make for relaxed, pretty backdrops without the hike.

One genuinely useful tip from an experienced shooter: this region is at altitude and runs cold and changeable, even outside winter. One couple coming down for their Daylesford wedding were shocked at how cold it was, with the coldest November day in years, 4 degrees overnight and a top of 11. So think about the season. Glenlyon is especially beautiful in autumn, when its Avenue of Honour creates a tunnel-like effect as you drive into town, the oak and elm trees putting on a stunning display of autumnal colours. Autumn gives you that golden, glowing palette, while the waterfalls are far more impressive in winter and spring after rain.

My honest advice is to pick one hero location plus one quick backup close to your venue rather than trying to cover the whole region, because driving between spots eats into your golden hour fast. Tell us your venue and the time of year and we'll map a tight little route that catches the best light. Whatever we shoot, every image is edited in-house by us here, never outsourced, so the warm autumn tones and that soft Daylesford light come through exactly as you remember the day.