How Daylesford is reaping The Block’s rewards

The Block builds plenty more than the five houses viewers see on screen when it rolls into town, according to host Scott Cam.

The Gold Logie winner says The Block had injected almost $8 million into Daylesford through its spending on crew accommodation, catering and building costs.

Two iconic businesses —the old Phoenix at the Rex Theatre and Hepburn Spa — also underwent major refurbishments in challenges undertaken by the teams during production.

“The Block has brought almost $8 million here, just in this town, and that’s without employing people and buying stuff from outside of Daylesford,” Cam enthused of building five luxury eco-friendly homes on the outskirts of town.

The Raglan St site was initially proposed for the 2024 season, but planning approvals and backlash from the township delayed it.

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The Block 2025 contestants on the Daylesford site.

Despite that initial reluctance, Cam says the Daylesford community had made the Channel 9 reality show feel completely at home.

So much so that the local fish and chip shop, the Daylesford Seafood Bar, even named a dish – the “Scott Camburger” after the long-serving host (featuring his signature combo of BBQ and tomato sauce).

In addition to bringing jobs and trade to local businesses, The Block lifts tourism, with the opening episode of the 2025 season spotlighting Daylesford’s annual Chill Out Festival.

For Shelley Craft, the latest season of The Block will also serve as an endorsement of the benefits of a tree change.

Craft, who moved to Byron Bay with her family in 2016, hopes that showcasing the Daylesford lifestyle as well as the renovation projects will inspire others to follow her lead and consider moving to a regional township.

“I know it’s not as easy as it sounds, but to live in a community like this in regional Australia is such a wonderful gift for anyone to experience,” she said.

“A lot of our crew got to do that for three months and went: ‘You know, country living ain’t bad’.

“I’ve always loved country living myself, and it’s just so wonderful that they got a little taste of that.

“And I know there’d be a lot of families going: ‘You know, maybe it’s time we should move out of the city. Maybe Daylesford is the spot’.”

The Block hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft. Picture: Supplied

Federal Ballarat MP Catherine King said she was really pleased to hear about the significant investment made in local businesses throughout the filming process.

“I’ve also heard how delighted the community was to host the program and how respectful everyone involved in the production was,” Ms King added.

“We’re all excited to see Daylesford showcased in the upcoming season and I’m sure it’ll encourage even more people to visit our stunning region.”

Certainly, all 10 contestants have vowed to continue to visit Daylesford in the future and have urged friends and family to do the same after falling in love with the region known for its hot springs.

“Rural Victoria is idyllic and very beautiful,” West Australian contestant Can said after completing her renovation with her girlfriend Han.

“Coming to countryside, the fresh air very different from Perth.

“The quality of the drinking water here is insane too. It’s so crisp.

“I actually spent some of my time growing up in rural Victoria as a child. My grandparents had a farm. So, there was a lot of childhood nostalgia, coming back to rural Victoria.”

Fellow 2025 contestant Alicia added: “I don’t think that we would ever leave the Gold Coast because our families are there, but this is absolutely a place that we will continue to visit.

“We absolutely love Daylesford. And it’s now on our radar and we have told all our friends about it.”

The Block will premiere on Sunday July 27 at 7pm on Channel 9 and 9Now

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