Where making things runs deep
The same hands-on, maker culture that built the goldfields-era foundries now drives a $1.1B local economy - manufacturing, food and beverages, agribusiness and construction.
A life worth moving for
Mountains, trails for walking and biking, good schools, great cafes, restaurants and bars, and a community that actually feels like one.
Grown here, enjoyed here
Local growers and artisan makers, weekly markets, farm gates and cellar doors just down the road.
Festivals, artists, makers and a packed calendar
A genuine home for artists, performers and makers - a creative scene people build a life around, not just visit.
A different kind of ambition. A place to build a life, not just a career
A strong, diverse local economy – manufacturing, healthcare, construction, the arts, food and agriculture – means real opportunity here, whether you’re job-hunting, starting a business, or both. The kind of community where people know your name, and where there’s still room to grow.
- Home to 20,939 people and 8,826 local jobs, with an economy worth $3.4B (2025) – big enough to support great local services and amenities, while staying true to its small-town character.
- Key towns across the shire: Castlemaine, Maldon, Campbells Creek, Chewton, Newstead and Harcourt – each with its own community feel.
- 120km from Melbourne (a 90-minute train ride), and 40km from Bendigo — close enough to stay connected, far enough to feel like a different pace of life.
- Manufacturing leads the local economy, backed by strong healthcare, construction, retail, public sector and education industries – a diverse mix that keeps jobs local and the economy resilient (2021).
- Fast-growing service industries — healthcare, arts and recreation, and food and hospitality – reflect a community investing as much in quality of life as in economic growth.
- Proactively engaging with Indigenous leaders and businesses towards creating a regenerative, future-focused economy; and seeking to grow cultural tourism initiatives in partnership with the local Indigenous community.
- Mount Alexander doesn’t have an arts precinct – it is one. Arts and culture run through everyday life here, not a designated quarter of town.
Room to build
The land, the transport links, and the support to actually make it happen.
- A range of available, well-zoned land – residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial – so there’s room to build the life or business you’re picturing.
- Well connected: Castlemaine sits on a major road and rail corridor, with Melbourne Airport about 75 minutes away and Bendigo Airport just 30.
- Frequent commuter trains to Melbourne and Bendigo mean you don’t have to choose between this lifestyle and staying connected to the city – for work, study, or just visiting friends.
- Thinking about starting or growing a small business? Workspace Australia runs two business incubators in Castlemaine, offering hands-on support and a community of fellow local entrepreneurs to help get your idea off the ground.
Quick stats
For the numbers people:
- 20% population growth forecast over the next 20 years – including many Melburnians seeking a tree change.
- $1.1B a year across manufacturing, food and beverages, agribusiness and construction – a genuinely diverse economy, not a one-industry town.
- 100+ events and festivals a year – a built-in customer base if you’re opening a cafe, gallery or shop.
- 629,000 visitors spending $364M in the local economy each year – real foot traffic for any small business with a storefront.
- 255,000 overnight stays a year – people choosing to stay, not just pass through.
More Information
Employers and innovators in Mount Alexander Shire
- KR Castlemaine – small goods
- Flowserve – pump manufacturing
- Warral Maldon – honey and bee products
Education
- Mount Alexander Shire offers 3 day care centers, which include long day care offerings.
- 6 kindergartens in the shire.
- More than 15 primary and secondary schools – including a Catholic primary school, Global Village Learning (Montessori inspired) and Steiner (Waldorf) curriculum options.
- TAFE courses are taught locally – Bendigo TAFE runs allied health, individual support and nursing programs from its Community Health and Learning Hub in Castlemaine. Bendigo TAFE also runs a regional-first Certificate II in Construction Pathways at The Mill Castlemaine – a dedicated carpentry and construction course for women and gender diverse learners.
- For broader TAFE and university options, Bendigo TAFE’s main campus and La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus (Flora Hill) are both about a 25-minute train ride or 40km drive away.
- Castlemaine Community House runs adult education and skills courses year-round – from pre-accredited training for employment and further study to practical, creative short courses
- For lifelong learners, U3A Castlemaine offers more than 60 classes and activities a year for retired and semi-retired residents, run almost entirely by volunteers.
Further industry support
- Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Economy and Culture team can provide a range of resources to anyone looking to do business in the region.
- Destination Central Victoria (previously Daylesford Macedon Tourism) is the peak tourism body for Victoria’s Heartland, encompassing the regions of Hepburn, Macedon Ranges, Mt Alexander and Central Goldfields.
- Business Mount Alexander (BMA) – A business association dedicated to supporting, connecting and promoting the business community
- Maldon Inc. – An incorporated association dedicated to fostering and promoting business and opportunities in Maldon and beyond through a range of projects and events.
Significant projects funded or under construction
- Bendigo TAFE and Dhelkaya Health Community Health and Learning Hub – A new $4M health training facility in Castlemaine means locals can study nursing, aged care and allied health close to home — useful if you’re after stable, in-demand local work, or just want top-quality healthcare services nearby as your family grows.
- Frederick St and Mechanics Lane Redevelopment Project – A $12.19M streetscape upgrade is reshaping the heart of Castlemaine into a safer, more walkable town centre — wider footpaths, better cycling access, new lighting and street trees — due for completion in 2027, with cafes, shops and public art along the way.
- Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM) redevelopment – $6M redevelopment is bringing Castlemaine’s heritage-listed Art Museum into a new era — better access, restored heritage features and bigger exhibitions — keeping the region’s thriving creative and arts scene a drawcard for new residents and visiting friends alike.
- Camp Reserve to Campbells Creek Accessible Off-Road Trail and Path – New accessible paths now link Castlemaine to Campbells Creek, completing a 4.3km walking and cycling trail with pedestrian bridges and First Nations interpretive signage — a great everyday option for family walks, prams, bikes and getting kids outdoors close to home.
- Welcome to Dja Dja Wurrung country – A $400,000 interactive installation in Castlemaine’s historic Market Building shares the stories of the local Dja Dja Wurrung people, past and present — part of what makes this shire feel like a place with real depth, culture and connection to Country.
- Castlemaine Goods Shed – A $6M-redeveloped performance and exhibition space inside Castlemaine’s historic Goods Shed now hosts the Castlemaine State Festival and year-round creative events — one of many reasons this town has built a reputation as a genuine arts and culture hub.
Future projects and opportunities
- Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail – A $35M, multi-stage project will turn a disused rail corridor into a 61km shared-use trail linking Castlemaine to Maryborough via Maldon, Guildford and Newstead. Now in pre-construction, it promises weekend rides, family bike days and a tourism boost for towns along the way.
Future Plans
Access the Mount Alexander Shire Council Plan.
Case Studies
Learn more about some of the businesses in our region – why they chose Mount Alexander Shire, and their vision for the future.
Warral Maldon – Attracting more worker bees with honey
“Moving to a regional area is well worth considering. Land is readily available, there are cheaper set-up costs, and councils are supportive. We have excellent communities to draw on with a diverse range of networks to tap into, and activities to be involved in.” – Lindsay Callaway, Owner and Managing Director
Long Paddock Cheese – French style cheese with an Australian identity
“Castlemaine, Bendigo, and the numerous villages around them, have developed into a vibrant creative hub, attracting a real foodie and arts-based culture.” – Alison Lansley, Co-Founder
Gallery
Mount Alexander Shire highlights
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