Castlemaine is lauded for its goldrush heritage and 'tree change' appeal. However, this town is no ghost town (well, only a little). It's a bustling place with real people, real industries, an eclectic but cohesive population, tens of cafes and restaurants, ancient box-ironbark forests, markets galore, stylish accommodation, more artists than you could fit onto a giant canvas, great festivals, and of course, lots of wide open spaces and (almost) no traffic (apart from the hot rods).