Grampians and Western District - Victoria
This page contains more detail of the towns surrounding the Grampians and Western District areas.
Halls Gap
Picturesque
Halls Gap is located in the heart of The Grampians National Park.
It is renown worldwide for the sensational bushwalking areas and views. There
are walks to suit everyone of all ages.
From casual strolls, to challenging rock climbing along narrow rock ledges,
you will travel through wonderful scenery. You can choose whatever type of
walk that suits you.
If walks are not for you, why not drive to one of the many lookouts surrounding
the Grampians, and take in the breathtaking views.
Take a look at the vast water storage areas of Lake Bellfield and Moora Moora
reservoir.
Halls Gap and the surrounding area is renown for the abundant wildflowers
in Springtime. There is a Wildflower exhibition held in Halls Gap in October
each year.
A
Jazz festival is held every February and a Wine festival held in May.
The waterfalls are always worth a look, especially in winter when water is
freely flowing.
McKenzie Falls, Silverband Falls
Mt William is the highest mountain in the Grampians with occassional snow falls in winter.
There is an abundance of wildlife- kangaroos, koalas, deer, goannas, echidnas, plenty of bird life and even the talk of puma sightings.
Wonderland walk
Mackeys Peak - steep
Silent Street
Grand Canyon
Elephants Hide
Victoria Range
Hamilton
Hamilton
is the hub to a huge range of attractions surrounding the district. Famous
for it's wool growing potential, Hamilton has been known as the wool capital
of the world.
The Big Wool bales were constructed to highlight the area's significance to the wool industry.
Sir Reginald Ansett started his first business in Hamilton in 1931. There is now the Sir Reginald Ansett museum displaying the history of this famous pioneer.
Blue gum plantations are now replacing many farming areas.
The Grampians can be clearly seen from Hamilton, and Halls Gap is a very scenic and short hour's drive away.
Hamilton Art Gallery, Performing Arts Centre, Pastoral Museum.
Wannon Falls, Nigretta falls.
Mt Napier, Mt Eccles and Mt Rouse are all in close proximity and have Volcanic significance. Byaduk caves are volcanic and are a short drive south.
Hamilton Art Gallery is one of the finest galleries in Australia. It is famous
for its outstanding collection of fine and decorative arts. The gallery contains
silver, glass and porcelain, oriental ceramics, tapestries, furniture, paintings
and prints.
The gallery boasts over 7000 permanent exhibits, complemented by temporary
exhibits.
Located at 107 Brown Street, Hamilton.
Go Kart racing - Hamilton boasts one of Australia's best sprink kart tracks. Racing at speeds nearing 100km/h only 20mm above the bitumen is exciting stuff. Mix that with a track buzzing with 20 other karts, and the addrenalin is sure to flow. Racing is held on the last Sunday every month. Buckley Park Raceway is located at the foot of Mount Napier, 12km south of Hamilton at Buckley swamp.
The
Botanical Gardens designed by William Guilfoyle covers 4 Hectares. Containing
a mini zoo, walkthrough aviary, rotunda, historic trees and surrounds.
Lake Hamilton - This man made lake was constructed by building a wall across
the Grange Burn creek. Fishing, rowing, sailing, water skiing, swimming and
walking are the lakes main attractions.
The spillway provides good viewing in winter after heavy rains.
Thoroughbred horse racing and Harness racing are both popular in Hamilton. Each year the Hamilton Cup draws huge crowds.
Sheepvention, a rural field day, first started in 1979 and is now a major
event held in Hamilton annually. It is held on the first Monday and Tuesday
of August each year. The Monday is declared a public holiday for many businesses
in the area. The fashion parade is a big attraction, as is the sheep shearing,
ram sales, young designers awards, inventions, dog trials, caravan displays
and much more. Many breeds of sheep are present and Alpacas are a recent addition.
This is one of Australias largest Merino store sales. 20,000 visitors are
expected to pass through the gates over the two days.
Iluka is currently constructing a mineral sands processing plant on the outskirts of town. This plant has already had a significant impact on the local community with employment and housing requirements.
Penshurst
This township is located in a volcanic area and sits at the base of Mount Rouse. The Volcanic Discovery Centre has a wealth of information on the area but is mostly only open Friday to Sunday. Phone 03 5576 5023 to confirm opening times.
Mount Rouse has a series of scoria cones formed by frothy lava during it's
active volcanic phase. Runny lava flowed from here through valleys to the
sea at Port Fairy, 60km away. Head south from Penshurst and turn into Tourist
road, a couple of kilometres out the road. On the way up to the summit, stop
at Crater Lake , a natural amphitheatre. Take the short walk and enjoy a close-up
encounter with the numerous kangaroos and wallabies that frequent the area.
Further up the the road, stop at the picnic carpark to take in great views
of the area, with the Grampians visible in the distance. Here you will find
an electric barbeque, toilets, and a walking track. The Barbeque shelter was
constructed by the local Apex club in 1991.
Motorhome & Caravan owners note: This carpark has ample room for parking. Only proceed beyond this point in a smaller vehicle. The road ends a short distance further up and has a tight turning area. Proceed to the top on foot.
The walk up to the summit is well worth the effort, with majestic views of the district, Mount Eccles, Mount Napier, and the Grampians all visible in the distance.
There are walks around Mount Rouse for the fit and energetic.
Botanical
gardens - This area in the centre of town houses a bowling green, tennis court,
swimming pool, barbeque, caravan park and the wonderful wetland gardens with
mini waterfalls. An underground spring produces a constant supply of 250,000
gallons of water per day, all year round, which feeds the wetland landscape.
The Oak and Poplar trees were planted in the 1920's.
Sites for the caravan park is booked through the Post Office.
Port Fairy
Population of 2,500 that expands to 40,000 during the folk festival. The folk festival is held on Labour Day weekend every year. The best musicians from around the world perform at this event.
A historic lighthouse built in 1859 is still in operation on Griffiths island. The keepers cottages, however, are long gone. Only remnants of the foundations remain. Plan your walk of the island late in the evening and you'll be able to watch the short tailed shearwaters (mutton birds) come home to their underground burrows, at sunset.
Lady Julia Percy Island is Australia's only submarine volcano. It has a flat top and shear sides. Here you will find the largest colony of fur seals in the Southern Hemisphere. Why not visit the wharf and take a boat ride past this great spot.
Well known for it's Art, Port Fairy will not disappoint, with galleries, artists studios, textile designers, sculptors and painters to be found.
Moyneyana festival runs from Christmas Eve to Australia Day every year. Each day there are different events. On New Years Eve, the town’s population jumps as visitors arrive to watch the decorated float parade, listen to music and wander past the various attractions.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival runs from March 10th to 13th 2006. With around 500 International and National artists playing folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass,celtic, country, jazz, rock and contemporary, the festival is world renown as a music lovers paradise. Market stalls, street buskers and performers entertain the thousands lining the streets. Tickets go on sale in November.
Ex-libris book fair occurs on the first weekend in September when thousands of books are for sale at the Community Centre.
Rhapsody in June, is where local musicians and artists showcase their talents over the June long weekend, 10th - 13th June 2006.
Every year the Murray to Moyne pushbike ride finishes at Port Fairy when 1500 riders make their way from Mildura & Shepparton in a 24 hour event.
There is excellent scuba diving around Lady Julia Percy Island and The Craggs.
Warrnambool
Warrnambool is a beautiful city nestled around the shores of Lady Bay. It is the biggest city along the Great Ocean Road with a population exceeding 20,000. There are plenty of beach areas for your enjoyment.
Whales - Warrnambool is known as the Southern Right Whale Nursery as female Southern Right Whales return each year to Logans Beach to calve. There is a specially built viewing platform in the sand dunes of Logans Beach.
Flagstaff Hill - Located in Merri Street, a recreated maritime village and museum was constructed to display how Warrnambool was back in the 1870's pioneering days. View the interactive displays, audiovisual presentations and relics recovered from the many shipwrecks of the surrounding area. The famous Loch Ard Peacock is a treasured possession and is Australia's most expensive relic.
There are many scenic walks and picnic areas.
Tourist Information Centre is located at Flagstaff Hill in Merri Street. Phone 1800 637 725
Zumsteins
One an excellent camping area, this is no longer allowed.
Scenic walks, picnic area and plenty of kangaroos roaming around in their
natural habitat.
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