Things To Do
3 Days in Hamilton: What to See & Do
Your Gateway to the Southern Grampians & Budj Bim World Heritage Landscape
Hamilton sits at the centre of one of Western Victoria's richest touring regions. Base yourself at Lake Hamilton Motor Village & Caravan Park and you are within easy reach of the Southern Grampians, a landscape of extinct volcanoes, spectacular waterfalls and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape.
Three days is the perfect amount of time to enjoy Hamilton's galleries, gardens and historic streetscapes, take a scenic drive through Dunkeld and Penshurst, and still have time to relax back at the park each evening. Here is a suggested itinerary to help you plan.
Suggested 3 Day Itinerary
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Day 1 — Arrival in Hamilton
- ✓ Arrive at Lake Hamilton Motor Village & Caravan Park — a warm, friendly team greets you with a smooth check-in and gets you settled into your site or cabin without delay.
- ✓ Free time to stroll around Lake Hamilton — take in the peaceful lakeside views, spot the local birdlife, and enjoy the fresh country air at your own pace. It's the perfect way to ease into your stay.
- ✓ Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or a catered group meal
- ✓ Dine out at a local restaurant or pub — Hamilton has some excellent choices within easy reach of the park:
- ✓ • Grand Central Hamilton (Gray Street) — classic pub fare and a lively atmosphere
- ✓ • Alexandra House — hearty pub classics in a friendly community-club setting
- ✓ • Thai Town (Thompson Street) — a local favourite for fresh, authentic Thai curries and stir-fries
- ✓ • Court Lantern (Thompson Street) — well-loved Chinese and Asian cuisine, great for a family-style feed
- ✓ • Commercial Hotel Hamilton (Thompson Street, near the Visitor Information Centre) — a classic country pub, handy if you're out exploring the town centre
- ✓ • “The Cally” – Caledonian Hotel (Thompson Street, near the Visitor Information Centre) — a long-standing local favourite with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and hearty Modern Australian pub classics
- ✓ Or arrange a catered group meal: The park itself doesn't offer food and beverage service, but a catered group meal can be organised on request with prior notice, giving you a relaxed, easy evening with fellow travellers without needing to head out.
- ✓ Overnight at Lake Hamilton Motor Village & Caravan Park: Settle in and rest comfortably with the lake just steps away, ready for the next part of your visit.
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Day 2 — Hamilton's Culture & Heritage
- ✓ Visit the Hamilton Botanic Gardens: Start the morning with a peaceful walk through these beautifully maintained gardens, home to heritage trees, colourful seasonal plantings and quiet, shaded pathways. It's a lovely spot to stretch your legs and enjoy some fresh air before the day gets going.
- ✓ Explore the Hamilton Art Gallery: Home to one of regional Australia's most impressive collections, including notable European and Australian works, ceramics and silverware. Take your time wandering the galleries and discovering pieces you wouldn't expect to find in a country town.
- ✓ Lunch at a local restaurant
- ✓ Refuel with a relaxed lunch at one of Hamilton's popular cafes, all handy to the gallery and gardens:
- ✓ • Cafe Gray (Gray Street) — hearty breakfasts and lunches, fresh juices and organic coffee in a charming, welcoming space
- ✓ • Darriwill Farm (Gray Street) — a local favourite for a relaxed lunch or coffee, known for quality regional produce
- ✓ • Kings Bakery & Cafe (Gray Street) — a Hamilton institution for pies, sandwiches and sweet treats, perfect for a quick and satisfying bite
- ✓ Discover Hamilton's historic streetscapes and boutique shopping precinct : Spend the afternoon strolling through Hamilton's charming main streets, admiring the heritage architecture and browsing a mix of boutique stores, gift shops and local galleries. It's a relaxed way to soak up the character of the town.
- ✓ Return to Lake Hamilton Motor Village & Caravan Park — head back to the park in the late afternoon to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
- ✓ Dinner and overnight — enjoy dinner at one of Hamilton's local restaurants or pubs (see Day 1 options), or arrange a catered group meal on request, before settling in for another comfortable overnight stay at the park.
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Day 3 — Grampians & Volcanic Landscapes
- ✓ Scenic drive from Hamilton to Dunkeld: Set off on a picturesque country drive, taking in rolling farmland and your first views of the Grampians (Gariwerd) ranges rising up ahead as you approach Dunkeld.
- ✓ Visit Mitchells Gully Lookout — Stop along the way for sweeping views over the surrounding volcanic plains and mountain ranges, a great spot to stretch your legs and take some photos.
- ✓ Explore the Southern Grampians (Gariwerd National Park)-Spend the morning taking in the dramatic sandstone peaks, ancient rock formations and rich Aboriginal cultural heritage of this iconic national park, known to its Traditional Owners as Gariwerd.
- ✓ Enjoy the Piccaninny Walk (approximately 1 to 1.5 hours return) or visit the Dunkeld Arboretum — Choose between the rewarding climb up Mount Piccaninny (Bainggug) for accessible summit views over Dunkeld and the Serra Range, or a gentler stroll through the Dunkeld Arboretum's shaded collection of the world's trees.
- ✓ Browse local galleries and enjoy lunch in Dunkeld — Wander the town's galleries and studios showcasing local art and craft, then settle in for lunch at one of Dunkeld's celebrated eateries, from the renowned Royal Mail Hotel to the town's cafes and bakeries.
- ✓ Drive to Penshurst — continue your journey through the volcanic plains country to the small town of Penshurst, set at the base of an ancient volcano.
- ✓ Visit the Volcanoes Discovery Centre and explore Mount Rouse — Learn about the region's volcanic past at this engaging interpretive centre, then take a walk up Mount Rouse itself for panoramic views across the surrounding plains from its crater rim.
- ✓ Stroll through the Penshurst Botanic Gardens before returning to Hamilton — unwind with a relaxed walk through these peaceful gardens before making the scenic drive back to Hamilton.
- ✓ Overnight at Lake Hamilton Motor Village & Caravan Park — settle back in at the park after a big day of sightseeing, ready to rest up by the lake.
Staying Longer? Day 4 — Waterfalls & World Heritage
If you have an extra day before heading off, this is the one to add.
- ✓ Visit Nigretta Falls — admire the wide, multi-tiered cascades of the Wannon River tumbling over an ancient basalt lava flow, one of the region's most photogenic natural sights.
- ✓ Visit Wannon Falls — continue on to this striking horseshoe-shaped waterfall, framed by towering river red gums and volcanic rock, with a viewing platform and picnic area to enjoy the scenery.
- ✓ Explore Coleraine — take some time in this charming rural town, known for its historic buildings, native botanic garden and relaxed country pace.
- ✓ Continue to the Budj Bim World Heritage Landscape, recognised for its outstanding Aboriginal cultural heritage — visit this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, home to one of the world's oldest and most extensive aquaculture systems, built by the Gunditjmara people using the volcanic landscape to trap and farm eels for thousands of years.
- ✓ Depart for your next destination — wrap up your stay in the region and continue on your journey, taking with you memories of the lakes, volcanoes and heritage landscapes of the Southern Grampians.
Why Choose Lake Hamilton Motor Village & Caravan Park?
- ✓ Comfortable and affordable accommodation
- ✓ Modern self-contained cabins
- ✓ Large coach parking with easy access
- ✓ Seasonal heated outdoor swimming pool
- ✓ Function room for group dinners and gatherings
- ✓ Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi
- ✓ BBQ facilities and games room
- ✓ Friendly country hospitality
- ✓ Convenient location close to Hamilton's major attractions and touring routes
We Welcome
Our experienced team is dedicated to delivering memorable group travel experiences. We look forward to partnering with coach tour operators, clubs, schools and travel organisers from across Victoria and Australia.
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Places On This Itinerary
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Stay at Lake Hamilton Motor Village and explore all the region has to offer.
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Address
8 Ballarat Road, Hamilton VIC 3300, Australia