Gisborne is an attractive settlement with street plantings consisting of European trees which are at their best in spring and autumn. Recently bypassed by the Calder Highway, Gisborne is located 1 km west of the highway, 54 km North West of Melbourne and 610 m above sea level. This was originally an agricultural district but it is now principally a commuter suburb for Melbourne.



Macedon House is a single storey stuccoed structure which has undergone various stages of development. The oldest section was erected in 1847 in a vernacular manner and served as a hotel. The timber and iron veranda, projecting wings and entrance gates were added later. The building is located at 1 Calthorpe St.

Dromkeen Homestead is a museum devoted to childrens literature. It is very comprehensive however, if there is an area of speciality, it is the illustration of literary characters. Most of the material pertains to Australian works though there are some international elements. The approach is educational, research oriented and fun. The focus is on the process of creation as much as the finished product and hence the changing exhibitions feature storyboards, sketches, doodles and ideas from works in progress. It has a bookshop, a reference library, an extensive collection of original artworks and an historical book collection, including first editions of classics.

The homestead itself was built for Judge Arthur Chomley in 1889. It features fine pressed ceilings and large fireplace and is surrounded by hectares of garden featuring sculptures of literary characters. There is an open day with in house authors and illustrators on the last Sunday of each month and a series of special days throughout the year. Special events such as birthdays are catered for with activities such as story-telling and hunts for the statues of literary characters.

Horse riding is available 10 km west along the Bacchus Marsh Gisborne Road in Waterloo Flat Road you will find Taylors Trail rides who are open daily. They offer two hour rides, pub rides and overnight rides to Trentham.

Mount Aitken Estates Winery, established in 1974, sprawls over a hilltop 6 km south of Gisborne on the Calder Highway. It specialises in ports and also produces sweet and dry wines and muskets. The estate has an a la carte and functions restaurant and a theatre restaurant. There are plans to organise an herbal shop and there are parking, playground and toilet facilities.