Grampians Guides Attractions Events in Victoria

Ararat is the only Australian town to have been founded by the Chinese who flocked to Victoria during the gold rush, and it retains the impressive architecture of the era. Known as "The Orchid City", leave time to view the beautiful orchids and taste fine wines from local vineyards.

Explore Ararat's gold heritage with a stroll through the town, past impressive gold rush era buildings, some of which have been recognised by the National Trust. You can find out more about Ararat’s unique past with a visit to the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre and the Langi Morgala Museum.

There’s plenty to occupy you in town: Wander through the beautiful Alexandra Gardens, which feature the famous orchid glasshouse, or view unusual exhibits of fibre and textile art at the Ararat Regional Art Gallery. For something unusual, Inspect J Ward, formerly Victoria’s asylum for the criminally insane.

Ararat is also a good base from which to explore the Grampians National Park or the nearby Mount Langi Ghiran, Mt Cole and Mt Buangor. Take a tour of Australia's largest wind farm at Challicum Hills or meet the winemaker at one of the region's wineries. Play a round of golf at the Chalambar Golf Club, rated one of Victoria's top 50 golf courses.

Don't miss the Jailhouse Rock Festival in March, the Cymbidium Orchid Festivals in spring and the Scarecrows in the Vineyard Festival in May.

Ararat is approximately 2.5 hours from Melbourne via the Western or Pyrenees highways. Coach services are available from Melbourne.

Be inspired like many early Australian painters by picturesque Dunkeld and the imposing mounts Sturgeon and Abrupt, at the southern entrance to the Grampians. Take long walks through one of Australia's finest national parks and spot wildlife and flora.

Dunkeld was settled after Major Thomas Mitchell issued glowing reports of the region following his 1836 visit. Nostalgic settlers named it after a Scottish town and early impressions can be found in paintings distributed throughout regional Victorian galleries.

Follow one of the walking tracks to Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt to take in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside or take the Picaninny Walk for a brisk workout and alternative views of Mount Abrupt.

For even more mountain views and award-winning food to boot, book a table at the Dunkeld Royal Mail Hotel. For more top quality food, stop off at the sheep dairy along the Glenelg Highway near Glenthompson and sample some of the delicious sheep milk yoghurts and cheeses.

Head further into the Grampians National Park with a scenic drive along the Victoria Valley Road through the untouched southern section of the Park. Look out for emus, kangaroos and spring wildflowers.

Dunkeld is 253 kilometres west of Melbourne. Travel by car via the Glenelg Highway. Daily rail and coach services are available from Melbourne.

Base yourself at the picturesque town of Halls Gap for your Grampians exploration and be rewarded with a destination that’s perfect for both relaxing escapes and wilderness adventures. Stay in a cutting edge eco-hostel, embark on a bushwalk, spot animals or see ancient Aboriginal rock art.

Halls Gap is set at the foot of the Wonderland and Mount William ranges. Visit local village stores, tempting wineries and colourful galleries then try a new adventure activity; bushwalking, abseiling, fishing, canoeing or mountain biking. See the Grampians from a different perspective with a locally operated walking, cycling, canoeing, mountain biking, 4WD, hot-air balloon or aeroplane tour.

The Grampians is regenerating following the January 2006 bushfires and it’s a fascinating time to explore the area’s unique rock formations, scenic lookouts and waterfalls. Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre is a good starting point and is also the place to learn about the diverse culture of the local indigenous people. Join a tour of the many ancient Aboriginal rock art sites in the area.

Choose from an extensive network of trails criss-crossing the area. Walks such as Venus Baths, Boronia Peak and Chatauqua start from Halls Gap or you can drive to walks at MacKenzie Falls, Hollow Mountain and Piccaninny.

See Australian native animals in the wild throughout the Grampians National Park or visit the Halls Gap Wildlife Park and Zoo to see kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus and dingos.

Time your visit to catch the Grampians Jazz Festival in February or the Gourmet Festival in May.

Halls Gap is 262 kilometres north-west of Melbourne on the Western Highway. Driving on Grampians roads at dusk can be hazardous – keep a look out for wildlife on the road.

Discover one of Australia’s finest regional art collections in Hamilton, a gracious western district city renowned for its grand buildings, majestic homesteads, manicured gardens and a vast and beautiful landscape.

Hamilton’s settlement grew as a result of the area’s strong pastoral development. The squatters and their wool were of great economic and social importance to the growth of the town, and this is reflected in its impressive architecture. Many treasures from the homesteads are now part of the rich and diverse collection at the Hamilton Art Gallery, a must-see attraction on any trip through Hamilton.

Take one of the many historic walks through town and don’t miss the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Heritage-listed, the gardens include a native animal enclosure, bird aviary, band rotunda and decorative fountains. Learn about the local wool industry at the Big Woolbales and aviation history at the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum.

Hamilton is surrounded by the Grangeburn River, Lake Hamilton and a vast and beautiful landscape of green rolling hills, ancient red gums, extinct volcanoes and the impressive Wannon and Nigretta waterfalls along the Glenelg Highway. Explore the Volcanic Discovery Trail and the Byaduk lava tube caves for more volcanic activity. You can enjoy fishing and water sports at Lake Hamilton or the nearby Rocklands Reservoir.

Hamilton is 285 kilometres west of Melbourne and is a 3.5 hour drive. Travel by car via the Henty, Glenelg or Hamilton highways. Coach services are available from Melbourne.

Visit Horsham, the capital of the Wimmera district for the regional high life amid botanic gardens, art and cultural treasures, a renowned public golf course and sweeping sunsets.

Horsham has a relaxed, country style atmosphere and pleasing climate and is an excellent base to explore the surrounding natural attractions including Mt Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Little Desert National Park (where you can spot the intriguing Mallee Fowl) and the northern Grampians. Be inspired by the rock climbers, as they test their skills on the world famous Mt Arapiles and capture the sunsets that can be seen on the vast flat plains of the Wimmera and the northern Grampians.

Originally opened up for grazing, the Wimmera lands became better known for wheat production so Horsham quickly developed as a centre of economic activity for the surrounding region. Discover artistic and cultural treasures at the renowned Horsham Regional Art Gallery, tour the Wool Factory which produces some of the finest wool in Australia and relax in the picturesque botanic gardens on the banks of the Wimmera River.

Tee off in style. Horsham is the region’s showcase greens course and is recognised as one of the best public courses in Victoria. Come for the Horsham Golf Club Annual Tournament in September or the Racing Cup Carnival in October.

Horsham is 301 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and is a 3.5 hour drive. Travel by car via the Henty, Glenelg or Western Highways. Coach services are available daily from Melbourne.

Time your visit to Stawell at Easter to see the running of the annual Stawell Gift, one of the world's richest footraces. The thriving city is the service centre for the Grampians and features fascinating cultural and heritage walking and driving tours, museums, wineries and golf.

Gold was discovered nearby in 1853. Stawell continues to produce the precious commodity in Victoria’s largest operating mine and there are a number of gold-themed attractions. View 1860s photographs, nineteenth century costumes, gold rush artefacts and historical documents at the Pleasant Creek Courthouse Museum and visit the Pioneer Memorial and lookout in the Big Hill area for views of the town and gold mining heritage.

Stawell's also part of the renowned Great Western wine region. Visit cellar doors to meet the winemaker and enjoy tastings at vineyards as you make your way around. The surrounding landscape is so alluring you may want to board a scenic flight or a hot air balloon for views of the town and the magnificent Grampians. Tee off for a round of golf on magnificent local fairways.

Visit Bunjil’s Shelter – a huge rock overhang with rock art depicting Bunjil, an Aboriginal spirit figure, in the nearby Black Ranges. There’s also a Stawell Gift Hall of Fame Museum, dedicated to the famous 120-metre dash.

Stawell is approximately 2.5 hours from Melbourne via the Western Highway. Daily coach and rail services are available from Melbourne.