Hamilton

The City of Hamilton is located at the centre of a beautiful pastoral region known as the Western District of Victoria. A gracious city surrounded by an awe-inspiring landscape.

Specialty shopping, various eating houses to suit all tastes and budgets with numerous cultural experinces are the hallmarks of this classic Western Districts City providing facilities and services that meet the needs of today's travellers.

Whilst enjoying your stay in Hamilton we recommend that you visit:-

• Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum - Birthplace of the once great Ansett transport empire. Dedicated to the history of Sir Reginal Ansett, a pioneer in Australian aviation.
• Botanic Gardens - One of Victoria's outstanding regional civic gardens, designed by William Guilfoyle contain significant Heritage listed trees.
• Lake Hamilton - a Lake of 38 ha created in 1977 by damming the Grange Burn. Jogging/cycling track, playgrounds, picnic & BBQ facilities, fishing & watersports.
• Hamilton Art Gallery - renowned as one of the finest provincial galleries in Australia.
• The Big Wool Bales - experience Australia's legendary wool industry.
• Indoor Aquatic & Leisure Centre
• Grangeburn Walk - pleasant steamside walk - the Banks provide a rare opportunity for naturalists to study the endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
• Nigretta & Wannon Falls - On the Wannon River - Koala reserve, kangaroos picnic & BBQ facilities & fishing.

On the junction of the Henty, Hamilton and Glenelg Highways, you will find Hamilton is the perfect staring point for a range of easy day tours that introduce visitors to the wide diversity of Victoria's Western District .... mountains, oceans, volcanic trails, pastoral land, wineries, historic settlements and towns and galleries.

Among the Western District's many attractions are ancient volcanoes, waterfalls, caves, National and Heritage listed State Park and a truly spectacular coastine. There are numerous sporting facilites that include yachting, swimming, and inland and offshore fishing.

Whether you time-frame covers one day or one week, Hamilton, at the centre of the Western District, will offer you a wide range of options. So plan your break and spoil yourself by staying at the Lake Hamilton Top Tourist Park where you can relax and enjoy your holiday.

Day Trips

Spectacular Grampians View

What you'll see- a continuous view of the majestic Grampians, sheep,dairy, Maryland Herb Farm, brickworks, Hamilton Airport (birthplace of Ansett Airlines), Parkland Golf Course, Lake Hamilton.
Towns include- Dunkeld, Glenthompson, Willaura, Ararat, Mirranatwa Gap, Cavendish.

Driving time- 2 hours 15 minutes.

Discover the Coast

What you'll see- magnificent coastal and hinterland scenery, historic buildings, fur seals, Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission. Towns include- Branxholme, Condah, Heywood, Portland, Bridgewater Bay, Narrawong, Tyrendarra.

For the Wine Buffs

What you'll see- famous Coonawarra vineyards, Bochara Winery, Glenelg Fine Chocolates, Eucalyptus Discovery Centre, Old Blacksmith's shop, Casterton birthplace of the Kelpie, Warrock historic settlement, history of the Henty Brothers, Mary McKillop school, historic Petticoat Lane, Yallum Park, Mt Gambier's Blue Lake, Lady Nelson Visitor Information Centre, Piccaninny Ponds underground water cave, Glenelg River cruises. Towns include- Coleraine, Casterton, Penola, Mount Gambier, Nelson, Digby.

Driving time- 3 hours

Scenic Beauty

What you'll see- Nigretta Falls, Wannon Falls, Coleraine Points Arboretum, Glenelg Fine Chocolates.

Follow part of the Major Mitchell trail, historic jail, pioneer house, historic pub, Rocklands Reservoir, Balmoral Golf Club, Rocklands Spillway, scenic views of the Grampians, Glendinning camping area.

Towns include- Coleraine, Edenhope, Harrow, Balmoral, Cavendish.

Driving time- 3 hours.

Scenic Mountain Range

What you'll see- majestic Grampians, award-winning historical museum, historic walks, walks to the summits of Mt Sturgeon and Mt Abrupt, Lake Bellfield, Halls Gap National Park Centre, Brambuk Cultural Centre, Zumsteins, Boroka Lookout, McKenzie Falls, Reid's Lookout, Wannon River. (Detour can include Rocklands Reservoir) Towns include- Dunkeld, Halls Gap, Wartook, Cherrypool, Cavendish.

Driving time- 4 hours.

Volcanic Trail

What you'll see- extinct volcanoe Mt Rouse, Mt Eccles & Lake Surprise (a dormant volcanic crater), interpretation centre, large koala colony, Tumuli lava blisters, Victoria's youngest volcanoe Mt Napier, Byaduk Caves. Towns include- Penshurst, Macarthur, Byaduk.

Driving time- All day.

Whales, Shipwrecks & Irish History

What you'll see- Southern Wright Whales, Lake Linlithgow, Mt Rouse, historic buildings, antique shops, Irish history, maritime museum, Fletcher Jones gardens, views along Shipwreck Coast, Logans Beach, markers for over 70 shipwrecks along the coast between Cape Otway & beyond Port Fairy, Tower Hill Game Reserve, interpretive centre, scenic drives and walks, emus, koalas, volcanic features, historic port, Moyne River, Harmans Valley. Towns include- Penshurst, Hawkesdale, Koroit, Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Macarthur, Byaduk.

Driving time- 2 hours 40 minutes.