Daylesford Children's Monument

The Lost Children's Monument is on the land of the Dja Dja Wurrung traditional owners.
This is an unusual site, it's a cairn monument for three children who were lost in the forest and perished there. The carved wooden sign at the base of the cairn reads
"In the winter of 1867 three children wandered into the bush and disappeared. The people of Daylesford searched the surrounding district for weeks to no avail. Three months later their remains were found in a hollow tree near this spot. This cairn commenmorates their memory."
There's no explanation of how they died, but it's likely that they died of hypothermia. Winter temperatures in that part of Victoria can drop below zero at night and it's often wet and windy too.
The tragic loss has become a symbol of love and community spirit and the site is actually quite inspiring. It's been decorated with toys and trinkets, and there are signs along the road pointing to wombat burrows, naming them like pets. There's also a 'Message Tree' next to the monument and laminated quotes from local newspapers about the children. There's a lot of information. It's a place you could definitely visit with children, as most kids are naturally curious about death and loss. The 3 kilometer drive off the highway also takes you past a "Christmas Tree Farm" which is cute.
I found this site by accident, noticing a small sign pointing down a side road as I was riding into Daylesford. It's worth a visit. There is also a memorial and info about the lost children in the town itself, but this lonely cairn out of town was more interesting to me.