Southern Grampians
Discover the best of the East with breathtaking views and natural beauty. Visit Greater Hamilton and experience the pace of a thriving agricultural region, Victoria’s first cattle ranching community.
The best way to combine the great outdoors with the pleasures of life, including chef-driven dining and the region’s most popular sourdough bread, is to travel to Dunkeld. It is home to Wickens Royal Mail Hotel, an award-winning Australian cuisine, and the famed Dunkeld Old Bakery.
Put on your hiking boots and head into the mountains to get closer to nature. Take to the mountain trails for majestic views of Mount Sturgeon, Mount Abrupt and Bainggug.
Penshurst’s history is bound to captivate you. The Volcano Discovery Centre allows you to walk beside an extinct volcano and learn about the surrounding environment. Explore Cavendish’s Settlers’ Alley and learn about the pioneers who lived there thousands of years ago.
Join us on a Grampians tour and immerse yourself in the natural wonders of this iconic region. Experience the beauty of rugged mountains, lush forests, and picturesque villages.
Towns of the South
Dunkeld
The village of Dunkeld lies at the foot of Sturgeon Mountain (Woolgarri), on the southern edge of the Grampians and the Great Dividing Range.
Dunkeld’s charming main street is lined with shops, and the Royal Mail Hotel is regularly voted one of Australia’s best restaurants.
Venture off the main street and visit Gerard Murphy Furniture, a fascinating woodworking workshop offering a wide range of beautiful tableware and gifts made from quality Australian wood sustainably harvested. Art lovers will be delighted to discover hidden gems at the Ros McArthur Art Studio in the Victoria Valley, located on the scenic drive from Dunkeld to Halls Gap.
The city is excellent for hiking, with the beautiful Dunkeld Arboretum, where you can explore a sandstone maze and small lakes with several bridges spanning them. More energetic hikers can climb the Vurgarry, Mad Dudyug or Baingug mountains, which offer breathtaking views of the entire South Grampian range.
Hamilton
An elegant country town in the centre of south-western Victoria, Hamilton offers visitors an introduction to the South West.
One of Australia’s finest regional galleries, the Hamilton Gallery houses an extensive art collection complemented by a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions.
The William Guilfoyle-designed Hamilton Botanic Gardens are the jewel in the crown. They combine the grandeur of the English style with a robust and welcoming atmosphere. The region’s rich, fertile soils lend themselves to a delicious menu of locally sourced produce. Taste the end product in the cafes and restaurants that helped put this part of Victoria on the map.
Hamilton is within easy reach of the Great Ocean Road, the Coonawarra wine region and Grampians National Park.
Penshurst
Penshurst holds a volcanic history. Mount Rouse rises 100 metres above the countryside, and the access road to Mount Rouse Viewpoint offers panoramic views of the lava plain.
Coleraine
Coleraine has history at every turn for those interested in learning more about its fascinating past. It is one of the oldest provincial towns in Victoria, with a history dating back almost 200 years. The local cricket club boasts the distinction of being the second oldest cricket club in the world to play cricket continuously.
Cavendish
The small town of Cavendish is home to culinary delights, rustic hospitality, significant events and relaxing holidays close to the Grampians National Park.
Southern Highlights
Hamilton Gallery
The Hamilton Gallery, a local treasure for over 60 years, hosts a variety of exhibits, courses, and events to increase understanding, awareness, and enthusiasm for the visual arts.
Renowned for its exceptional breadth and quality, the gallery’s collection includes works by some of the most significant European, Asian and Australian masters.
Early eighteenth-century silver, porcelain and glass, Asian ceramics from the great dynasties, European and Australian prints, eighteenth-century landscapes, Australian oil paintings and watercolours, and fine international and Australian decorative arts from the twentieth century comprise more than 9,000 objects.
The significance of the eighteenth-century decorative arts and watercolours collection makes the Hamilton Gallery the leading public art collection in Australia.
The gallery hosts renowned travelling exhibitions and installations. It organises various activities, including school programmes, hands-on and virtual workshops, and annual special events.
The Hamilton Gallery is located in Gunditjmara Country, in the heart of the Southern Grampians in Western Victoria. The gallery is accessible and family-friendly and welcomes people of all ages, genders, and abilities.
Visit the website to see current exhibitions, events, and programmes, search the collection online, join social media, or sign up for the newsletter to stay updated.
The team looks forward to seeing you.
Wannon Falls
Wannon Falls, located at the southern end of the Grampian Mountains, is a spectacular sight as the water flows into the deep pool below. Located 20 kilometres west of Hamilton, Wannon Falls was formed by a basalt lava flow from the upper reaches of the Wannon River.
Water cascades down a 30-metre vertical cliff into a deep pool, flowing through the solidified basaltic lava. Downstream around the rapids are large blocks of basalt that have been shifted over time along the barriers of the narrow valley.
The history of Wannon and Nigretta Falls began in the 1850s when the small town of Redruth was settled and renamed Wannon in 1908. The settlement, built around the Wannon Inn and a ferry across the river, had two schools, two hotels, a general shop and four sawmills nearby. A scenic road connects Wannon Falls to the neighbouring Nigretta Falls.
Both falls are most expansive and beautiful after winter or spring rains.
Collorrer (Mount Rouse)
Penshurst, located 20 minutes east of Hamilton, is home to the extinct Collorrer volcano (Mount Rouse). The mountain is a massive slag heap that rises 100 metres above the surrounding volcanic plain. Its high relief provides an ideal view of lava flows and the neighbouring Mount Eccles and Napier volcanoes.
The Collorrer (Mount Rouse) is predominantly red and brown cinder with thin interlocking basaltic lava flows. The slag forms an arcuate hill that opens to the southwest, giving the impression of a southwest-facing cone.
To the south of the central cinder cone is a deep, circular crater with a small lake, a smaller shallow crater with a small lake, and an even smaller shallow crater lined with basalt. The ancient lava flows from Collorrera (Mont Rose) were shallow, gentle streams that extended at least 60 kilometres to the south.
The age of the thin basaltic lava flow in the scoria cone is about 1.8 million years. If this dating is correct, Collorrer (Mount Raus) marks the beginning of the second (younger) phase of activity in the province of newer volcanoes.
The summit of Collorrer (Mount Raus) can be reached by rail, offering panoramic views of the lava plain and the surrounding countryside. At its base is a deep, circular crater and a lake lined with colourful, splashed basalt.
Discover the best of the East with breathtaking views and natural beauty. Visit Greater Hamilton and experience the pace of a thriving agricultural region, Victoria’s first cattle ranching community.
The best way to combine the great outdoors with the pleasures of life, including chef-driven dining and the region’s most popular sourdough bread, is to travel to Dunkeld. It is home to Wickens Royal Mail Hotel, an award-winning Australian cuisine, and the famed Dunkeld Old Bakery.
Put on your hiking boots and head into the mountains to get closer to nature. Take to the mountain trails for majestic views of Mount Sturgeon, Mount Abrupt and Bainggug.
Penshurst’s history is bound to captivate you. The Volcano Discovery Centre allows you to walk beside an extinct volcano and learn about the surrounding environment. Explore Cavendish’s Settlers’ Alley and learn about the pioneers who lived there thousands of years ago.
With its many lush vineyards, the Henty wine region offers the opportunity to stop and taste some of Victoria’s finest wines. And don’t forget to leave some room in your boot to return it later!
Join us on a Grampians tour and immerse yourself in the natural wonders of this iconic region. Experience the beauty of rugged mountains, lush forests, and picturesque villages.
FAQ
What towns should I visit in the Greater Hamilton region?
You can explore Dunkeld, Hamilton, Penshurst, Coleraine, and Cavendish — each offering unique scenery, history, and local flavours.
What are the best outdoor activities in Dunkeld?
Hiking Mount Sturgeon, Mount Abrupt, and Bainggug is popular, as well as visiting the Dunkeld Arboretum with its sandstone maze and lake walks.
What cultural attractions are in Hamilton?
Hamilton is home to the Hamilton Gallery, the William Guilfoyle–designed Botanic Gardens, and a variety of local cafés and restaurants showcasing regional produce.
Where can I learn about the region’s volcanic history?
Penshurst’s Volcano Discovery Centre and the nearby Collorrer (Mount Rouse) provide insights into the area’s geological past with viewpoints and crater walks.
What natural landmarks are a must-see nearby?
Wannon Falls and Nigretta Falls are spectacular after winter or spring rains, and both are easily reached via a scenic connecting road.
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