Things to do in The Wimmera
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Brambuk Cultural Centre
Your first stop should be this superb cultural centre, 2.5km south of Halls Gap. The building itself is a striking design that combines timeless Aboriginal motifs with contemporary design and building materials. Run by five Koori communities in conjunction with Parks Victoria, the centre offers insights into local culture and history through Koori stories, art, music, dance, weapons, tools and photographs. The Gariwerd Dreaming Theatre shows hourly films explaining Dreaming stories of Gariwerd and the creation story of Bunjil. Three-hour cultural and rock-art tours can be booked here.
The complex includes the Parks Victoria office, a souvenir shop and Brambuk Bush Tucker C…
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Natimuk Lake Caravan Park
Beside Lake Natimuk, about 4km north of Natimuk, this camping area has barbecues and laundry but no cabins.
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Mt Zero Olives
Planted in 1953, the olive grove at Mt Zero Olives produces olives, olive oils (including infused varieties), tapenades and other gourmet products in a picturesque setting. There are tastings and farm-gate sales daily, and an excellent cafe that opens on weekends and holidays. It’s on the northern fringe of Grampians National Park.
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Grampians Adventure Golf
Towards Lake Bellfield is the world-class Grampians Adventure Golf. This is not to be missed – a hectare of 18-hole minigolf with fairways such as ‘Grand Canyon’ where you squeeze down between bushes. There’s a licensed café (lunch around $7) in which to recover after your kids have trounced you.
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Australian Climbing Instructors Association
The Grampians and Mt Arapiles region are the best in Victoria for rock climbing and abseiling, set up for people of any age. Member companies of the Australian Climbing Instructors Association offer everything from basic instruction to advanced guided climbs.
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Hangin' Out
Rock climbing specialists who will get you started with a four-hour introductory session ($75) and private guiding from $150.
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Historical Society Museum
Dunkeld was established in the 1860s, but much of it was destroyed by bushfires in 1944. The bright Historical Society Museum in an old bluestone church has a local history collection, including Aboriginal artefacts and old photographs.
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Blaze Rock Retreat
Further down the Ararat–Halls Gap road there’s a lot of pampering happening. Blaze Rock Retreat will treat your body. Take a Tasmanian peat mud bath (30 minutes $75) or have a hot rock massage (90 minutes $120).
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D’Arcy’s
An elegant burgundy-and-white restaurant, D’Arcy’s has a good reputation, an interesting menu and a wide range of wines from the Grampians and Pyrenees wineries.
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Oasis of Wellbeing
Funky, New Age cafe serving filo wraps, focaccias, quiche and curries. The setting is like someone’s home with a gallery out the back, and massage and head spas are available.
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Grampians Lavender Patch
Across the road, Jocelyn at Grampians Lavender Patch will feed you lavender ice cream. Sample the honeys, jams and jellies then look around the farm.
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Stawell Gift Hall of Fame
The Stawell Gift Hall of Fame, alongside the oval where the race is run, was being redeveloped at the time of research. It houses race memorabilia.
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Halls Gap Hotel
For generous no- nonsense bistro food, you can't beat the local pub, about 2km north of town. With views of the Grampians, it's a social place for a beer after a day's bushwalking.
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Town Hall Hotel
This grand old pub opposite the town hall is a good place for pub food and relatively healthy bar meals such as focaccias and gourmet sandwiches.
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James McMurtrie Glass Blowing
Just past Pomonal is James McMurtrie Glass Blowing. See glassware being formed and admire or buy the artistic pieces.
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Kookaburra Restaurant
This Halls Gap institution is renowned for its crispy-skin duck and Aussie dishes like barramundi and kangaroo fillet. There's a good value 'eat early' deal if you order by 6.30pm.
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Halls Gap Zoo
Get up close to Australian native animals such as wallabies, grey kangaroos, quolls and wombats, but also exotic critters like meerkats, spider monkeys, bison and tamarin. There are breeding and conservation programs and a natural bush setting.
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Quarry Restaurant
For steaks and Mod Oz cuisine – kangaroo fillets and mango barramundi – Quarry is cheerful and good value. Wednesday is schnitzel night.
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Horsham Riverside Caravan Park
This is a great little spot between the botanic gardens and the river, with shady sites, good facilities and bike hire.
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Grampians Mountain Adventure Company
Specialises in rock-climbing and abseiling adventures and instruction from beginner to advanced.
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Red Rock Olives
Red Rock Olives has olive products to sample and buy, or just wander around the olive groves.
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Stawell Aviation Services
Stawell Aviation Services offers thrilling 40-minute joy flights over the ranges.
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Grampians Horseriding Centre
Horse-riding adventures around a grand property with sweeping views, lakes and wandering bush tracks.
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Natimuk Climbing Company
The Natimuk Climbing Company offers climbing and abseiling instruction.
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Absolute Outdoors
Rock climbing, abseiling, mountain-biking, canoeing, and guided nature walks from $55 to $200.
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