Travelling into and through the Grampians tourism region has been affected by several road closures, following the recent storms.
The storms have had minimal impact on the experiences on offer – the delight of staying in a cabin or a Halls Gap Cottage with the towering cliffs around, at Wartook, at Dunkeld, at Halls Gap, the kangaroos or emus grazing on the lawn of your motel or resort remain on offer. Grampians Accommodation at its best.
Parks Victoria are working effectively to complete safety survey’s of many of the walks and park experiences prior to reopening. This is expected to happen very shortly.
In the meantime, here’s some things outside of the Grampians National Park, to extend the wealth of activities and experiences on offer:
A) FAMILIES
In Halls Gap
- Brambuk Cultural Centre, historic displays, creation video, boomerang throwing lesions, rock art site tours;
- Halls Gap Zoo; largest regional zoo with native and exotic displays, feed and walk with some animals, meerkats,
- Grampians Adventure Golf, 1 hectare of beautifully landscaped mini golf challenging fun for everyone
- Wildlife, the kangaroos, emus, echidna and birdlife abound, in Halls Gap, in the roadside paddocks in the early and late parts of the days. Great photo opportunities.
- Bring your bikes – sealed tracks are open
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Shops are open, including the iconic ice creamery
Surrounds – Ararat /Stawell (drive to)
- Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, tells the story of Chinese migration to the 1850’s Victorian gold rushes, interactive displays
- J Ward (Great for older kids) provides insights to early approaches to criminally insane prisoners
- Ararat Botanical Gardens including playground provides for great picnics, feed the ducks, seasonal orchid and other floral displays
- Stawell Gift Hall of Fame
- Stawell Gold Mine observation deck, see the enormous wabco trucks disappear underground as they make their 60 minute, 2 kilometre journey down to the gold seams;
- Lake Fyans for bird watching, fishing (the redfin and yellow belly are amazing [2kgs])
- Big Hill Lookout over Stawell and across to the Grampians
Surrounds – Great Western/Moyston
- Underground Cellar Tour at Seppelts – storing hundreds of thousands of bottles of sparkling wine. Interpreted tours tell of the Prime Minsiter’s cellar and of Dame Nellie Melba’s visits.
- Bring the footy and have a kick and photo opportunity at the monument to the Birthplace of Aussie Rules at Moyston
Surrounds – Horsham/Dadswells
- Aquatic Centre
- Cinema
- Shopping
- Giant Koala and displays of koalas. Great photo opportunities and opportunity for refreshments.
Surrounds – Dunkeld/Hamilton
- The historic Botanical Gardens in Hamilton provides inspiration for gardeners, is great for picnickers and relaxed times
- The Glenelg Chocholate Factory, in Colleraine is always a popular stop;
- Ansett Museum tells the story of Reginald Ansett and his aviation empire, that started in Hamilton in the 1930s;
- Wannon/Nigretta Falls are so spectacular at the moment for those travelling between Hamilton and Colleraine;
- Penshurst Volcanic Discovery Centre, tells the story of the geological formation of this region;
- Climb to the summit of several local volcanoes;
- Explore lava caves and other features around Byaduk
Surrounds - Beaufort/Avoca
- Beaufort has metal detector hire to fossick for gold in surrounding areas, and up towards St Arnaud state park.
- The Imperial Egg gallery, in the main street of Beaufort is amazing with intricate carvings and rich colours and textures.
- Mt Avoca Cellar Door has playground adjacent, so mum & dad can have a sample with an eye on kids outside…
B) Couples
In Halls Gap
- Brambuk
- Halls Gap Zoo
- Moco Gallery
- Grampians Furniture Showroom – where the skilled craftsmanship turns the local Grampians Redwood into exquisite fine furniture. From breadboards to office suites.
- Wildlife – outside your cabin door, opposite the ice creamery, grazing in paddocks on the Halls Gap valley floor, Kangaroos and Emus can be seen and photographed at close range.
- Bring your bikes – tracks are open
- Shops are open, including the iconic ice creamery
Surrounds – Ararat /Stawell(drive to)
- Art Regional Gallery (mention current special exhibitions for all galleries) specializes in textiles and has one of the most presitigous collection in regional Australia
- Stawell Eastern Gift and the Gift Hall of Fame Interpretive Centre provides a comprehensive history of past winners, milestones and memorabilia.
Surrounds – Great Western/Moyston
- Underground Cellar Tour at Seppelts
- Bests, which together with Seppelts saw the beginnings of Australia’s sparkling wine industry and which today has amply demonstrated some big red wines, as well.
- Grampians Estate Wine Centre cellar, tastings and great coffee
- Salingers at Great Western for a great lunch
Surrounds – Horsham/Dadswells
- Taylor’s Lake and the Wimmera River are delighting fisherfolk with the opportunities that have returned so quickly. Reports of catches of redfin and yellowbelly are rewarding. The Horsham Fishing Competition is on again 13th March.
- Horsham Art Gallery – an outstanding collection of Australian, as well as a collection of Max Dupain photography.
- Shopping
- Café culture
Surrounds – Dunkeld/Hamilton
- Royal Mail Hotel for superb cuisine and extensive wine list
- Dunkeld Arboretum provides delightful views and photographic opportunities of Mt Abrupt. Recent landslides are an interesting feature.
- Reports are coming from fishers that Rocklands Reservoir is producing great fishing – yellow belly/redfin
- Hamilton Regional Art Gallery has one of the most extensive collections of early colonial and impressionist art in Australia.
- Specialty shopping – antique jewellery, bookshops offer some great retail therapy opportunities.
Surrounds - Beaufort/Avoca
- Visit the 30 cellar doors around the Pyrenees Wine Region
- Historic Walking Tour of the Avoca Township where buildings and sites still exist from 1853
- Visit the many Art Galleries – McMurray Gallery, Westbury Antiques, Kevin Frees Studio and more
- Enjoy the many cafes that line the streets os Avoca and Beaufort
- Fishing, swimming skiing and other water activities at the Beaufort Lake
- Historic Walk tour of Beaufort
- Beaufort Library and internet cafe
- Imperial Egg collection in Beaufort
Events – to entertain and delight
o Rainbow Serpent, 21-24 Jan
o Dunkeld Open Gardens and Galleries, 5-6th Feb
o Avoca 150th Centenary, 6th Feb
o Halls Gap Jazz Festival 11-13th Feb,
o Halls Gap Hot Rods ,
o Penshurst 150th Centenary, 18 – 20th Feb
o Halls Gap Textures, 25-27th Feb
o Longerenong, Wimmera Machinery Field Day, 1-3rd Mar
o Moonambel Longest Lunch, 4th Mar
o Dunkeld Open Gardens and Galleries, 5-6th Mar
o Avoca, Seduction by Tastebuds, Redbank Winery, 12th Mar
o Horsham Fishing competition, 13th Mar
o Moyston Sheep Dog Trials, 17 – 19th Mar
o Hamilton, Racing at Western Speedway, 19th Mar
o Horsham Country Music Festival, 24-27th Mar
o Ararat Jailhouse Rock, 16 – 20th Mar
o Lake Bolac Eel Festival 25 – 26 Mar
o Hamilton, Sprint Car Gold Cup, 2nd Apr
o Dunkeld Open Gardens and Galleries, 2-3rd Apr
o Horsham, Art is… 1-9 Apr
o Waubra, Windfarm Festival, 3rd Apr
o Promenade of Sacred Music, 7 – 10th Apr
o Ararat, Viva Victoria Multicultural Festival, 10th Apr
o Beaufort Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally, 30th Apr – 1st May
o Stawell, Stawell Gift Festival, 22-24 Apr
o Grampians Art Trail, 23rd Apr
o Halls Gap, Grampians Grape Escape, 30 Apr-1st May
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