DAYLESFORD and Hepburn Springs have been named as the third best retirement hotspot and the best small retirement location in a survey of Victoria's top 100 retirement hotspots.
Best retirement hotspot went to Bellarine Peninsula/Queenscliff while the Mornington Peninsula came in second with best retirement lifestyle.
Daylesford and Hepburn Springs proved a better retirement location than the likes of Mallacoota, Apollo Bay/Lorne and Melbourne.
Picturesque villages, cafe culture, spas and log fires are some of the reasons why Daylesford and Hepburn Springs was recognised.
The newly released Penguin Guide features the 100 best retirement locations in Australia and New Zealand.
Penguin Books author Rick Osborn said Hepburn Springs and Daylesford were appealing retirement magnets attracting residents from around Victoria.
In an extract from the book, Mr Osborn said people should live in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs "for the intimacy of village life, the cold climate, low cost of living, alternative lifestyles, long buskwalks and attractive scenery".
Mr Osborn speaks of Castlemaine, Clunes and Creswick but says "for me, the pick of this area is Daylesford: it's a picturesque, hilly town with a main street lined with wonderful old shops and cafes, and attractive homes in the
surrounding streets".
With a population of about 14,500, 20.6 per cent of people living in the area are aged over 60.
Mr Osborn played down the climate saying summer temperatures ranged from 11.9 to 26.3 degrees.
Hepburn Shire Council manager of tourism and recreation Geoff Ryan said Hepburn Shire was an appealing place for retirees.
He said its proximity to Melbourne, recreation, culture, attractions and health services attracted retirees.
The guide also gave the thumbs up to the shire's bushwalking and national parks saying the "area is a bushwalker's paradise".
"There are so many different places people can walk and a fantastic series of walks," Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said antique ships, bookshops, galleries and boutique wineries in the area appealed to retirees.
"We have every nation of food you can think of - better than any other regional large city," he said.
Paul Johnston of Daylesford Real Estate said there were always people retiring in the area.
"We attract professional people retiring early who are reasonably well-off, or people who are backing away from a professional business," he said.
"Retired people are looking for an attractive lifestyle but can still get back to Melbourne."
Mr Johnston said retirees were specific about the type of property they wanted to buy.
"They want to live in town at a good location that offers a view. They know what they want," he said.
"Daylesford has all of the facilities - taxis, good shopping - they're not going to be left in the lurch."
Mr Johnston said people could sell a house in Melbourne and have enough money left over to retire.
The Penguin Guide to Retirement Hotspots is available in all major bookshops.
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