Daylesford’s Coolest Shops for the Ultimate Retail Therapy Experience

If you’re after an easy weekend getaway, put Daylesford at the top of your list. Loved for its storybook landscapes, cosy retreats and gourmet delights, the town offers equal amounts of comfort and adventure all year round. Don’t expect to leave empty-handed either, because Daylesford is also home to a bevvy of fascinating shops, from sprawling vintage bazaars and maze-like bookstores to luxe homeware retailers and providores.

These our our picks of the best shops in Daylesford for you next fun perusing adventure. 

Daylesford Records

First port of call when it comes to the best Daylesford shops? Getting your groove on at Daylesford Records, of course!

Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of vintage, first press, and rare vinyl collections, alongside a curated selection of turntables, speakers, and amps. As a locally owned and operated independent record shop nestled in the heart of Daylesford, they offer a musical blend of vintage nostalgia and contemporary flair. Discover classics and new releases, all housed within a very cool and charming space, where music enthusiasts come together to celebrate the timeless allure of vinyl.

8/11 Howe Street, Daylesford

Jodele

Jodele is a boutique worth its weight in quality clothing gold, with pieces on every rack that all feel beautiful to wear and are equally long lasting. It’s very easy to lose track of time in the changing rooms here. It’s a mecca for beautiful, everyday dresses, gorgeous woolen pullovers and lush, cosy coats – which is perfect for the cooler seasons. 

81A Vincent Street, Daylesford 

The Amazing Mill Markets

You could easily lose a day exploring the Mill Markets’ never-ending mix of vintage collectables, retro fashion, antiques, home décor and jewellery. Each stallholder sells their own unique selection of items – which could range from rare records and glass art to Russian babushka dolls – and you’re guaranteed a great time meeting locals and learning about their passions. After picking up your newfound treasures, swing by the in-house Mill Café for a milkshake and pastry. It’s one of the best Daylesford shops to pick up a unique treasure.

105 Central Springs Road, Daylesford

Manteau Noir

Manteau Noir is a destination store for lovers of ethical slow fashion and those with good taste. The eclectic retailer offers sustainable natural fibre clothing, accessories, homewares, ceramics, art, niche perfumes and Aesop skincare. The shop itself is beautifully designed, using heirloom French storage pieces and hand-blown glass lighting to create a warm and welcoming mood. Owner and designer Victoria Varrasso carefully curates her store’s selection, with every item providing sensory joy, whether it’s a beautifully cut linen dress or soft cashmere socks.

1/27 Vincent Street, Daylesford

Cliffy’s Emporium

In addition to being Daylesford’s favourite coffee and breakfast spot, Cliffy’s also sports a lovely providore. Carrying on its history as a general store in the 1950s, today it stocks fresh local produce alongside specialty groceries such as paté, preserves, honey, cheese and wine. The venue has maintained much of its historic charm, with vintage signs advertising Bushell’s and Cadbury Cocoa still adorning the walls.

30 Raglan Street, Daylesford

Found

Found is run by mother-daughter team Helen and Alexandra Curtis, who envision an antique shop where “no rummaging or sorting is necessary”, because it’s already been done for them. Their keen and creative eye has resulted in an impressive collection of gorgeous French and Australian pieces to enhance your home. Every item is presented as found, with no prepping or polishing, just its pure discovered state. From functional mid-century furniture to antique paintings, you’re sure to fall in love with something here.

119 Vincent Street, Daylesford

Portal 108

Step out in style at Portal 108, one of the best Daylesford shops for a slew of fashionable clothing and styles that fit your personality, from some of the most exciting labels across Australia and around the world. Whether you like simple, clean lines and vibrant styles, statement jewellery, contemporary bags and accessories or even the latest in handcrafted footwear, they have it all in this one-stop-shop. Find them in Hepburn Springs, just a three minute drive from Daylesford. 

108 Main Road, Hepburn Springs

Slow Lane 

Live life in the Slow Lane, Daylesford’s gorgeous boutique that offers a collection of Australian brands for soulful, grounded and sustainable fashion, beauty, bath and body, organic tea and more. If you value the importance of quality and want to have a positive impact on the environment, this is the Daylesford shop for you. 

109 Vincent Street, Daylesford

Enki Apothecary & Distillery

Nestled in the heart of Daylesford, step into a new world at Enki Apothecary & Distillery, an artisan collective grounded in traditional, alchemical methods of medicine distillation and extraction. In essence,it’s a Daylesford shop that strives to return to the ancient roots of medicinal practices as a way of remembering and honouring nature’s innate intelligence. From the germination of a seed, to the bottling of our products, each process is one of patient, intimate connection and communication. Sit on the green velvet couches and immerse yourself in the true nature of healing.

Side note: They also offer a 100% organic food and beverage menu, where high quality and locally sourced produce is the focus. 

77 Vincent Street, Daylesford 

The Farmers Wife

The Farmers Wife is a clothing and homewares shop in Daylesford the perfectly combines simple, beautiful quality clothing and homewares with an eclectic mix of preloved treasures highlighting the enduring beauty of things from the past. It’s a unique shopping experience that’s a must when visiting Daylesford. 

26 Vincent Street, Daylesford

The Convent Shop

Daylesford’s Convent Gallery is one of the region’s premier cultural attractions, hosting a stunning collection of traditional and contemporary art in a Victorian-era former convent. Don’t leave without visiting the gallery gift shop, where you’ll find an array of delicious local produce, stylish homewares, body products, books and interesting gifts to remember your trip by.

7 Daly Street, Daylesford

Buster McGee 

This is a chic men’s clothing store in Daylesford you simply need to visit. Say hello to Buster McGee, an independent retail store serving all the looks. Discover the considered collection of men’s clothing, grooming products, fine fragrances and accessories on offer, with brands like Bellroy, Original Weekend, Parle Moi de Parfum and Mr Simple. 

10-12 Howe Street, Daylesford 

Brick Lane Bazaar

All things zany, curious and collectible find a home at Brick Lane Bazaar, where over 30 stallholders source and restore second hand items for a new home. Retro lava lamps, reworked Levis, rare puzzles and antique clocks are among the thousands of items you can find there. There are also a few stalls selling items from regional makers – think locally made sweets, soaps, candles and clothing. It’s one of the must visit Daylesford shops. 

34 Vincent Street, Daylesford

Paradise Bookshop

Housed in an elegant Georgian bank building, Paradise is a gloriously rambling maze of 14 rooms chock-full of new and second-hand books, games, toys, comics and records. The store is perfect for finding holiday reads, with every genre across fiction and non-fiction covered, plus coffee table and lifestyle books that make great gifts. There’s also a room upstairs with velvet reading chairs and a fireplace, in case you wanted to settle in with your new book.

46 Vincent Street, Daylesford

Frances Pilley

Make bathtime extra luxurious with a few items from Frances Pilley, where they source fancy products from as far as France and Syria. Stock up on olive and laurel soaps, Dead Sea bath salts, argan oil and lush hammam towels that will have you replicating the spa experience at home. The store smells as good as you’d expect and friendly staff are always on hand to help you discover something delightful.

28 Vincent Street, Daylesford

eCasa Daylesford

If you’re partial to traditional European design, don’t miss eCasa – this cosy Daylesford shop sources homewares direct from makers in France, Italy, Spain, Denmark and beyond. Owners Jo and Robin regularly travel to Paris, attending homewares fairs for new products as well as scouring flea markets to find quality linens, cutlery and treasures to bring home. All the items here are colourful, practical and a joy to both use and look at.

89 Vincent Street, Daylesford

ArteDeco

Give your home a dash of Gatsby with picks from ArteDeco, an antique store specialising in beautiful pieces from the 1920s onwards. The era’s striking aesthetic can be found across lamps, mirrors, sofas, kitchenware and jewellery, with strong motifs and liberal use of gold and metallic colours. Even if you aren’t ready to commit to the roaring twenties life, the shop is a whole lot of fun to explore.

3/27 Vincent Street, Daylesford

Plan the rest of your Daylesford sojourn with our guides to the most beautiful accommodation in town and this rundown of the best things to see, eat and do while you’re there.

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

26 April 2024