Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money is based in Gadigal Land Sydney and regularly travels to Castlemaine in Dja Dja Wurrung country to visit family and find inspiration.

Castlemaine

"The Theater Royal is this beautiful cinema with a great indie schedule that has a fantastic lineup of live music and has the best pizza in town. The in–house restaurant is a great date night spot — and there is a huge courtyard at the back where it's really lovely to just sit and relax and have a think. It's one of my favorite spots in town."

The Theatre Royal

"The Expedition Pass Reservoir is this beautiful swimming hole, a huge open water reserve out of town. You can have a picnic and find a little secluded spot on the northern banks under a gum tree and enjoy the calm of a weekday or a bit of a frenzy on the weekend."

Expedition Pass Reservoir

"The Bridge Hotel is my favorite pub in Castlemaine, and it has a tremendous live music schedule. It's cozy in winter with fire, but in summer, it has a huge outdoor area — you can have a drink under the vines down the front. It's one of the best ways to pass a balmy Goldfields afternoon."

The Bridge Hotel

"The Mill is truly the beating heart of artisanal commerce in the area. The Mill complex is home to vintage and antique stores, a brewery, winemakers, coffee, food wholesalers and plenty of beautiful places to wander and get lost and meet local makers."

The Mill Castlemaine

"The Castlemaine Art Museum has a lot of exciting new energy going through it with contemporary and diverse voices bringing the old building to life."

Castlemaine Art Museum

"The Castlemaine State Festival is a biennial multi-arts celebration showcasing local, national and international artists, filmmakers and writers. There's a very diverse program and it's exciting and thoughtfully curated."

The Castlemaine State Festival