After the walk, my partner and I retreat to the warmth of Adeline, a wine bar and cafe that opened in August 2025, run by local couple Gabrielle Jordan and Mitchell Reed Rogers (also behind the town’s Trentham General and Mr Peacock).
“Adeline was born out of necessity, with Trentham General being incredibly busy. We wanted to offer a space for locals where they didn’t feel they needed to be in and out,” says Mitch.
The leisurely lunch features regional produce and wine, from a cheese and meats board with house-pickled cauliflower and addictive charred sourdough, to a delicately creamy salmon tartare.
The afternoon is spent exploring boutiques, starting with The House of Marcelle & Mr. John next door. Two toy poodles gree
Cosmopolitan Hotel Trentham. Photo / Kate Hansen Photography
t us as we enter the gorgeous shop, an eclectic mix of art, homewares, fragrances and luxury items curated by owners Sjaak Berg and John D’Agata. Other stops include The Green Store, which offers sustainable lifestyle products, sauna sessions and massages, and Frankie and Mae, a slow fashion boutique.
It starts raining, and the thought of a glass of pinot noir by the fireplace tempts us back to our accommodation. The Cosmopolitan Cottage is a two-bedroom weatherboard cottage, part of The Cosmopolitan Hotel and recently renovated (think elegant country charm with modern bathrooms and a full kitchen). I fall in love with the sunroom – boasting full-height windows, a cathedral ceiling, chandelier, indoor greenery and a cosy Chesterfield sofa, it’s the ideal spot to curl up with a book and listen to the rain.
Cosmo Cottage Living. Photo / Kate Hansen Photography
Being a tiny town, Trentham’s dinner options are literally metres away (the newest, French-style Restaurant Ensemble, is temporarily closed during our visit, but I mentally add it to my list for next time). We decide to eat amidst the heritage charm of The Cosmopolitan Hotel itself, restored by current owner Rod after a 2005 fire destroyed everything apart from the original 1860s facade and chimneys. Today, the menu serves up pub classics starring regional produce (its Sher Wagyu steak is from Ballan, a 30-minute trip).
The next day, we grab brekkie from Trentham General, housed inside the old Bank of Australasia. I order the eggs benedict and it’s a winner, served with a melt-in-your-mouth confit pork hash, spiced apple relish and house-made potato hash.
Trentham General. Photo / Supplied
Our gastronomic adventure continues at the light-filled Sisko Chocolate Studio for a truffle-making workshop with owner Christina Tantsis. Over two hours, we learn about the science of tempering chocolate, create a silky ganache, fill and decorate truffles, and come away with an appreciation for the craft of fine chocolate – and quality.
“A customer walked in yesterday and goes, ‘I can’t buy supermarket chocolate anymore, you’ve ruined it for me’,” shares Christina, as I sprinkle raspberry dust over a truffle. After sampling one of Sisko’s signature hot chocolates, I completely understand.
It’s not raining this afternoon, so it’s time for a visit to Trentham Falls – a 32m waterfall plunging over basalt rock cliffs – followed by a stop at Little Gallery, an artist-run space showcasing works by emerging and mid-career Aussie artists. A late lunch at the Pig and Whistle sees us back in front of a roaring fire, glass of red in hand. The historic country pub is a popular roadside stop five minutes from town, and celebrates its Irish heritage with an “Irish parma”: chicken schnitzel topped with creamy mash, cheese, and red wine jus, served with salad and… fries. If that’s too much potato for you, their Sri Lankan Chicken Curry is a soul-warming dish inspired by a team member’s family recipe.
Pig and Whistle. Photo / Jade Raykovski
To toast the weekend that was, there’s no better place than Mr Peacock, a wine bar offering pizza, share plates, and drinks.
“I met Mitch sitting in that very seat on a girl’s weekend from Melbourne,” Gabrielle says as she hands me my Basil Gimlet. As she’s now involved in three local venues, it’s a testament to Trentham’s charm (and perhaps a little of Mitch’s).
Before leaving Trentham, stop in as we did at RedBeard Bakery, for their famous sourdough straight from a 130+ year old Scotch oven. It’s a small – but tasty – slice of this tiny town you can take home with you.
The writer travelled courtesy of Destination Central Victoria.