Bacchus Marsh, Ballan & Blackwood
🌲She Hunts - forest op shop adventure 🌲

I truly want you to get out in nature, make a day of it, explore country towns & their op shops, let the kids run free in the forest while you’re at it.
Sean & I constantly seek out day trips that include these adventures, and this Bacchus Marsh & Ballan op shop / Blackwood forest day trip is pure magic 🌲

Bacchus Marsh

Bacchus Marsh is a lovely little town 1 hour from Melbourne (or 30 mins from Werribee) It boasts 3 beautiful country town op shops & an epic vintage loft store, its oh so worth the drive to visit.
The Bacchus Marsh Hospital op shop is truly cute! We found so much treasure there.
Salvos in Bacchus Marsh is probably one of my top 5 Melbourne Salvos! Yes - I think it is. Its decked out beautifully, they are always playing cool 60’s music, they have loads of retro goodies and a great bric a brac section. I always find treasure there.
Then around the corner is a really lovely Vinnies full of treasure.

Ballan

Ballan is such a sweet little country town. Its a 20min drive out of Bacchus Marsh (towards Ballarat)
It has 3 amazing op shops, all independently operated and full of character, like the town itself.
The op shops are quirky, homely & wonderful. 2 have cafes in them 😍 Frankie & I ate some wonderful free range scrambled eggs at Thrifty Minx. Ballan is wonderful.

Blackwood Forest

A short 20min drive from Bacchus Marsh is the sleepy little town of Blackwood. There is a cute cafe - Martin Street Roasters with a lovely fireplace and freshly roasted coffee (closed on a Tuesday)
Next door is the post office where you can buy second hand lamps, vinyl, soap, groceries and toasted sandwiches for a cheap easy lunch - such a random selection of goods! They have a lovely outdoor forest cafe with curious birds, we sat undercover on a 13deg day and had a lovely lunch.
Across the road is the local pup with a roaring fireplace.

Blackwood Mineral Springs and Holiday Park

Then the ultimate forest gem right in the middle of town - is Blackwood Mineral Springs and Holiday Park. Situated on the sleepy Lerderderg River, there is oh so much to do here.
We took in a 30 liter container and filled it up with natural rock filtered mineral water to take home & drink ❤️ while the kids played in the forest & the rain for hours - it was sublime.
You can rent retro caravans here for about $60 a night, you can light fires around the river in designated fire spots and explore the entire grounds by foot - it truly is a magical day op shop / forest adventure!

She Hunts hints

* The best days to hit all the ops while they are all open is a Friday or Saturday
* Don’t let a rainy day discourage you from doing this day trip, the rain was beautiful and there were lots of places to seek shelter while we waited it out in the forest to collect our spring water.
* Take a big container to fill up with mineral water - it tastes beautiful, a little like soda water (takes a while to fill)
* Take a few changes of clothes for the kids!
* please if you can, leave a donation at Blackwood Mineral Springs Holiday Park ✌️

Bacchus Marsh

Salvos
120a Main St, Bacchus Marsh VIC
Closed Sundays - DIRECTIONS

Vinnies
8 Grant Street , Bacchus Marsh VIC
Open Sundays 10 - 4pm - DIRECTIONS

Bacchus Marsh Hospital Ladies Auxillary Op Shop
Gell street, Bacchus Marsh - you can find this op shop behind the Salvos beyond the car park.