Home » Region Information » Touring the Region » Touring The Greater Grampians Region
Touring The Greater Grampians Region
The area surrounding the Grampians National Park holds its own charm and character. Visitors often comment that they feel so far away and yet so close to the action. This scenic drive is an excellent way of uncovering hidden gems just an hour away from the heart of the Grampians.
Distance: 550 kilometres.- Road conditions: good sealed roads.
Start your grand tour from the small community of Wartook (follow road signs from Halls Gap). Here you will find olive groves and wildflower gardens.
Next head north to the regional centre of Horsham. Here you will be delighted by great shopping, the Horsham Regional Art Gallery, spectacular Botanic Gardens, quality food outlets and the highly regarded Horsham Golf Course.
From Horsham, head towards Mount Arapiles, to the west, stopping awhile at Natimuk before heading south to Balmoral and Coleraine. Be sure to stop and enjoy local hospitality and the quaint country atmosphere. It is here that landscape changes to classic red gum country. Coleraine is also home to the Coleraine Chocolate Factory.
A side trip to Harrow will allow visitors to experience the Johnny Mullagh Interpretive Centre and at night, the Sound and Light Show. Make sure you stop at the Wannon and Nigretta Waterfalls.
Hamilton is the next stop and more than a few hours will be needed here. Attractions include the Hamilton Regional Art Gallery, the beautiful Botanic Gardens, the Ansett Transport Museum and the Eucalyptus Discovery Centre. Nearby attractions
include the Volcanic Discovery Trail and Byaduk Lava Tube Caves.
From here, travel east toward the silhouette of the Grampians. Stop for a bite to eat or coffee and cake in Dunkeld, the southern gateway to the Grampians National Park. Dunkeld also features a nature bound golf course and interesting shopping.
A scenic drive North, through the Grampians National Park, will bring you to Halls Gap.
From Halls Gap head East to Stawell, home of the famous Stawell Easter Gift and onwards to the Wine Village of Great Western. Ararat is further towards Melbourne and this large city has a number of attractions including the Gum San Museum and J Ward.
From Ararat you can return to the Grampians, Horsham or travel onwards to Melbourne.
Visit the official website: www.visitgrampians.com.au