Have some time to fill whilst visiting the Southern Grampians? Here’s some ideas to help you in exploring and unearthing some treats for the senses. With waterfalls to the West and a dramatic mountain range to the North east, find yourself centrally located and surrounded by an abundance of things to keep you busy!
Here’s what we do to refresh our senses between work and play:
Hamilton Art Trail
Take to the streets of Hamilton and discover all the wonderful murals, sculptures, mosaics and artworks throughout the CBD. Begin at the fabulous Hamilton Gallery, where entry is free. Then step outside the gallery to see the massive colourful mural inspired by local wildlife and legends (ever seen a Grampians puma?), and a sculpture of the God of Greek Mythology. On the back of this wall is a graphic-novel style mural about mental health- head down here to discover McGuigan’s Lane and admire works done by local artists and kids (read about that HERE). Unearth the community pocket garden with a collaborative mural by Jasmine Mansbridge and Roger Edwards, plus sculptures and a giant teepee, before heading down Thompson Street where the driveway beside Flooring Xtra adds a pop of colour to the streetscape. You can’t miss the Mondrian-esque monster mural at Cheap as Chips, and Hamilton’s iconic nucleus on Gray St too.
Hamilton Botanic Gardens
There’s nowhere better to fill in some time than at the Hamilton Botanic Gardens, with 4 acres to explore, get amongst everything on offer at this incredible place. Debrief from your hectic day on the sloping grass hills or in the historic Rotunda, or make a wish at the impressive fountain. Study up on all the birds that call the gardens home at the flight aviary, watch the ducks as they float by at the lake or admire the many different plant and tree species as you follow the curving pathways that lead you through it all!
Wannon & Nigretta Falls
15 minute’s drive from Hamilton discover two incredible waterfalls. Get up close and personal with the water as it plummets over the rocky edge at Nigretta by journeying down the jarrah timber stairway. At Wannon Falls on the other hand, watch the water plunge into the deep pool below from the specially designed viewing platform that allows you to fulsomely take in the 30-metre vertical precipice fall over the hardened basalt lava that forms its border. They’re only an 8-minute drive in between, so make a loop and call in at Bochara Wines on your way back to Hamilton!
Wine Tastings
Heading east, take the short 10 minute drive to Tarrington where the charming vineyard and cellar door of Pierrepoint Wines awaits your arrival, or call ahead to drop into Hochkirch Wines too. Enjoy a grazing plate by the vineyard or inside by the wood fire, treat yourself to a tasting of one of their finest wines followed by a walk through the vines before teaming off in a game of giant jenga! Check the Pierrepoint Proteas farm gate stall next door for some devine flowers before heading home.
Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning Garden Walk
Take a tour led by one of the dedicated volunteers or explore the grounds yourself at this hidden gem. Take a walk through the parklands to spot the endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoots in their enclosure, discover the indigenous food gardens, journey through native bushland on the nature trail or investigate the sanctuary for native wetland plant and animal life at the wetlands. Look out for carved sculptures around the pottery studio and veggie patches too!
Dunkeld Arboretum
Meander the tracks around this 18 hectare Arboretum and take in the beauty, peace and imagery of nature at its finest. Grab a coffee in Dunkeld and take the sculpture-dotted Salt Creek Walk to this oasis – wind your way around the labyrinth, dive into history at the old sawmill, take in the breathtaking views, discover all the different plant and flower species or simply take the 2km return walk along the water’s edge and have a taste of it all!
Penshurst Mount Rouse
25 minutes from Hamilton, head to the summit of Mount Rouse, with the option to drive to the peak of this extinct volcano for panoramic views of the volcanic plains and out to the Grampians National Park. Grab a coffee first from the Penshurst General Store and a sweet treat or two from the Penshurst Bakery, leaving enough time to snap the perfect group shot or take a seat and enjoy the scenes 100 meters above ground where panoramic views as far as they eye can see provide the perfect time filler.
Still looking for group activity ideas? Get your hands on our Planners Guide, explore our top picks here, or get in touch for some tailored suggestions:
E: events@sthgrampians.vic.gov.ai
T: 03 5573 0216
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