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Hamilton Pastoral Museum

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Hamilton Pastoral Museum

Two complexes of collections showing the development of farming and household technology. Historical buildings at the museum include St Luke’s Church, Cottage, National Bank, Drik Drik Post Office, Byaduk Automatic Exchange, Blacksmith, Myaring Woolshed, Warrayure School rotunda, Coleraine Lock-up and Old Penshurst Police Station. Other sheds display horse drawn vehicles, threshers, the Deutscher Foundry, extensive collections of tractors, stationary engines, headers, the sheep and wool industry, household, fashion and a Saddler and Bootmaker Shop. Excellent displays are provided by the Hamilton Wood Turners and the Model Train Group. You can also experience unique working displays on Rally weekends. Allow one - two hours for viewing.

Hamilton VIC

0.2 km away

Hamilton Golf Club

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Hamilton Golf Club

Whether you're spending the day or simply a few hours with friends, new members and visitors are welcome at the Hamilton Golf Club. The course is one of the western districts leading golf courses with spectacular 18-hole grass greens offering a relaxing, peaceful environment for the golf enthusiast. Tree-lined fairways and well-bunkered greens offer a realistic challenge to golfers of all standards. The Golf Course is available for general play seven days a week. Located 290 kilometres from Melbourne on the eastern side of town in the rural city of Hamilton. The Hamilton Golf Club offers a quiet location with off-street parking. It is within walking distance to many Hotels/Motels and the Central Business District. A function room is available for hire on a casual or permanent basis and can seat up 200 theatre style or 130 with table settings. A variety of catering options can be arranged. Please contact the House and Function Manager for details and costs.

Hamilton VIC

1.1 km away

Lakes Edge Adventure Playground — Image credit: Southern Grampians Shire Council

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Lakes Edge Adventure Playground

The Lakes Edge Adventure Playground offers over 90 different experiences with equipment including rope pyramid, climbing wall, slides, spinners, swings, climbing mountains, see-saw, rope hammock, birds' nest, sandpit, sway-fun glider, inclusive carousel, ship structure and much more. Kids of all abilities and ages will have fun at this park. This spacious, all-abilities playground is a reflection of the natural environment of Hamilton. For water lovers, Lakes Edge also has water features for warmer days as well as a massive sandpit with interactive elements which is one of the highlights of the park. Located along pet-friendly Lake Hamilton's edge, there is a well-maintained bike and walking path located only a few metres away which follows the circumference of the lake creating a 4.2 kilometre loop. A dog park can also be found just down the path providing an area for dogs to play and socialise off-leash, the only park with this purpose within the Hamilton region.

Hamilton VIC

1.2 km away

Lake Hamilton

Natural Attractions

Lake Hamilton

Lake Hamilton is located at the eastern end of Hamilton and is surrounded by 25 hectares of parkland. An attractive landscaped manmade lake used for various water-based activities featuring an excellent walking/bike track of 4.2km. The Lakes Edge Adventure Playground, Hamilton Skate Park and the Dog Park are one of several opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoor surrounds of the lake. Water-based sports are well catered for with a boat ramp, toilets and shower facilities located off the Mill Road entry. You can also participate in the Hamilton Park Run, which is a weekly 5km run around the lake free for anyone to participate. Activities on the lake include fishing, waterskiing, sailing, rowing, windsurfing, canoeing and swimming. Camping is not permitted around Lake Hamilton.

Hamilton VIC

1.4 km away

Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum

The Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum is dedicated to transport and tourism pioneer Reg Ansett, who commenced his transport business in Hamilton, Victoria in 1931. The museum is based on the Ansett company's original aircraft hangar, which has been relocated in Hamilton and displays a collection of over 1,000 objects relating to the Ansett empire from the humble road and air transport beginnings in Western Victoria through to an inter-national airline .

Hamilton VIC

1.5 km away

Petschel House Hamilton

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Petschel House Hamilton

Eltham born, Jenni began formal painting as a child under Leslie Sinclair at Montsalvat. She has a masters of Visual Art from Monash University and has exhibited widely nationally and internationally. She has painted in the Australian Desert and sailed as artist-in-residence with the Aust. Antarctic Division to Antarctica, later The Arctic and Norway. Recent painting trips include Mongolia and Dili Timor Leste. Petschel House studios and gallery are set on 14 acres of gardens with a lake, orchard and alpaca paddocks. The original bluestone house was built circa 1856 by the Rentsch and Petschel families. Private and small group classes and workshops also available where students are encouraged 'to see with the artists' eye' and paint from observation to develop an understanding of tone and colour while learning techniques to help in their personal artistic explorations of techniques and style.

Hamilton VIC

2.0 km away

Parklands Golf Club Hamilton

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Parklands Golf Course

Parklands Golf Club is a public golf club maintained and run by a committee of volunteers, catering for golfers of all ages and capabilities since the club was established in 1972. Parklands pride itself on being a family club where the emphasis is placed on the enjoyment of the game in a friendly environment. it is an 18 Hole Course.

Hamilton VIC

2.2 km away

Presence Hamilton

Shopping and Markets

Presence Hamilton

Presence is a Women's clothing store based in beautiful Hamilton. Their aim is to bring you a carefully curated range of women's clothing such as dresses, tops, bottoms, knitwear, coats and jackets, accessories and giftware. Presence Hamilton supporting slow and sustainable fashion with the Australian and NZ brands on offer.

Hamilton VIC

2.3 km away

Hamilton Nucleus

Landmarks and Buildings

The Hamilton Nucleus

It's where Brown Street meets Gray and where you will meet the "Heart of Hamilton" and while the sculpture is a wonder in itself, the story behind it is just as amazing. Donated by generous local benefactor, Mr. Geoff Handbury AO, the red oval shaped sculpture and the centrepiece of a main round-a-bout, reflects not only the heart of Geoff and his family, but also of the region itself. With such devotion to the community, the donation made by Geoff has since fittingly gained the nickname 'The Heart of Hamilton'. Likened to a heart, the sculpture's fluid reaction to change could be compared to Mr. Handbury's own generous and open-hearted approach. With its shape depending on the wind, as kinetic parts separate and reform, the unique piece was selected by Mr. Handbury in the hope it makes people stop, relax and smile. The futuristic sculpture is the work of artist Phil Price, a New Zealand artist best known for his large-scale kinetic sculptures.

Hamilton VIC

2.3 km away

Hamilton Botanic Gardens — Image credit: SGSC

Parks and Gardens

Hamilton Botanic Gardens

Established by William Guilfoyle, curator of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, the Hamilton Botanic Gardens are one of Victoria's most outstanding regional civic gardens and rightly recognised as an important part of Victoria's Heritage. The first sketch plans and suggested plantings (now more than 100 years old) are held at the Hamilton Art Gallery. The Gardens are open every day and are a source of interest and pleasure to residents and visitors alike. Facilities include: Playground, Picnic facilities, Barbecue facilities, Toilets, Picnic shelter, Walking track, Drinking fountain, Water tap.

Hamilton VIC

2.4 km away

New signage on the Gallery

Galleries, Museums and Collections

MUD Gallery

The Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning (HIRL) Gallery is now called MUD Gallery. It is a community gallery manned by local artists and volunteers, displaying and selling works of art. The art gallery consists of paintings, drawings, photography, jewellery, cards, woodcraft, leathercraft, silversmith creations, pottery, ceramics, glassware and much much more. Beautiful creations all made by local artists. Lovely gifts and keepsakes of the wonderful Western district.

Hamilton VIC

2.5 km away

Hamilton History Centre Inc

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Hamilton History Centre Inc

The Hamilton History Centre is a volunteer-based research facility dedicated to the collection, preservation and cataloguing of historical records of Hamilton and the surrounding region which are made available for research purposes. The collection includes over 2000 local historical photographs, cemetery records, German settlement history, war records, family history records, parish maps, pastoral properties, records of Hamilton residences, shops, businesses as well as church and school records. Artefacts, memorabilia and a lovely lace collection, among other items, are on permanent display in the Rippon Room which may be viewed during opening hours or by appointment. Research enquiries are welcomed.

Hamilton VIC

2.7 km away

A wonderful outdoor entertaining area

Natural Attractions

Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning

Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning is a mud-brick function centre, consisting of a main function hall, meeting rooms with attached kitchens, as well as having art studios with an art room and separate ceramics studio. The institute is the gateway to the eastern barred bandicoot and native grasslands/bush enclosure. Stroll through the beautiful grounds, past the children's native play garden, look at the red gum bandicoot carvings and stroll past the indigenous food garden on your way through the beautiful native bushland to the bandicoot enclosure. Stroll around the reservoir, taking in the 12 informative signs displaying magnificent paintings of local native fauna and flora. Bring a picnic and stopover at the bandicoot site, situated in the magnificent gardens. They now have a new shelter with seating, shortly to have a public access barbeque. A beautiful place for a wedding, the main hall with inlaid bandicoots and rustic features is ideal, and the paved courtyard and gardens lend themselves to a perfect wedding venue. It is also the home of Hamilton's monthly farmers' and craft market on the last Saturday of each month. Please visit the website for more information. The institute also has a Creative Arts Centre where people meet every Wednesday evening to enjoy the social atmosphere and do their own art.

Hamilton VIC

2.9 km away

The Resevoir in the Bandicoot Parkland Wildlife Walk — Image credit: HIRL

Parks and Gardens

The Hamilton Bandicoot Wildlife Walk

The Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning is the gateway to Hamilton Parklands Bandicoot Enclosure. The Hamilton Parklands Bandicoot Enclosure was set up the ensure the survival of the endangered species, The Eastern Barred Bandicoot. The Parklands at Hamilton, is not only a secure breeding ground for the a Eastern Barred Bandicoot, but contains a beautiful wildlife walk around the old Hamilton reservoir. This walk has signs that have beautiful paintings of all the fauna and flora in the parkland. The walk around the reservoir in this beautiful natural bush land takes only a little over half an hour. You will see native birds and wildlife, as well as all the native plants representative of our western district bush lands and grassy plains . These Bandicoots are being bred in their natural habitat at Hamilton and then being sent to other areas in Victoria where they can be safety bred to increase the size of the population to ensure their survival.

Hamilton VIC

2.9 km away

Hamilton Indoor Leisure & Aquatic Centre

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Hamilton Indoor Leisure & Aquatic Centre

Make a splash in the pool, shoot a three pointer, play a game of table tennis, workout in the gym or smash out a game of squash, all that and more is on offer at the Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre. The team at HILAC can help you achieve all your health and fitness goals by tailoring programs to suit your individual needs. Offering a range of group fitness classes, there’s a program to suit everyone. Memberships are available through HILAC and are multi-level with a free membership for those over the age of 80. The Gym is open to members 24/7 and to the public during staffed hours.

Hamilton VIC

3.1 km away

Mount Napier State Park — Image credit: Parks Victoria

National Parks and Reserves

Mount Napier State Park

Stand on the edge of Mount Napier, the most recently active volcano in Victoria, and enjoy magnificent views from the Grampians to the sea. There is a walking track to the summit that winds through manna gum and Blackwood forest and past impressive volcanic features. There is a walking track to the summit, which leads through the forest and past interesting volcanic formations. The walk winds through manna gum and Blackwood forest and past impressive volcanic features including a lava canal and tumulus and featuring a scoria zone at the summit. The park also takes in the Byaduk Caves, one of the most extensive and accessible sets of lava caves in Australia. They are part of a lava flow stretching out 24 kilometre from Mount Napier to Mount Eccles and contain wrinkles, stalactites and stalagmites, columns and ropy lava. Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Byaduk North VIC

12 km away

Nigretta Falls

Natural Attractions

Nigretta Falls

Nigretta Falls is a small waterfall set in outstanding scenery. The waterfall is considered more spectacular than Wannon Falls, due to its clearer features. The small town of Redruth (renamed Wannon in 1908), was settled by Europeans in the 1850s. Planned around the Wannon Inn and a ferry for crossing the river, the buildings consisted of two schools, two hotels, a store and four sawmills located nearby. Over time, the Falls became a popular tourist attraction, attracting many visitors in the 1890s when excursion trains travelled from Hamilton. Take a short detour from the Glenelg Highway for fishing, picnics and barbecues at Nigretta Falls, a small waterfall fed by the Wannon River. View the falls from above and enjoy the picnic tables and barbecue facilities. See the falls in full flow after heavy rains.

Bochara VIC

15 km away

Wannon Falls

Natural Attractions

Wannon Falls

Wannon Falls, located in the Southern Grampians, presents a spectacular display of water flowing down the falls into a deep plunge pool below. Just 20 kilometres west of Hamilton Wannon Falls was created by basalt lava flow that surged upstream to the Wannon River. The water, which cascades over a 30-metre vertical precipice into a deep plunge pool below, is actually flowing over hardened basalt lava. Further downstream, rapids wind their way around large blocks of basalt, dislodged over time down the embankments of the narrow valley. The history surrounding the Wannon and Nigretta Falls dates back to the 1850's when the small town of Redruth, renamed Wannon in 1908, was first settled. Planned around the Wannon Inn and a ferry for crossing the river, the community consisted of two schools, two hotels, a store and four sawmills located nearby. Over time, the Falls became a popular tourist attraction, attracting many visitors in the 1890s when excursion trains travelled from Hamilton. The turn off to Wannon Falls is 19 kilometres west of Hamilton, just off the Glenelg Highway. Wannon Falls and the nearby Nigretta Falls are linked by a scenic road. Both waterfalls are at their biggest and best after a winter or spring rainfall.

Wannon VIC

19 km away

Harman’s Valley Lookout

Natural Attractions

Harman’s Valley Lookout

Located along the Hamilton-Port Fairy Road just under four kilometres north of the Byaduk Township, the Harman's Valley Lookout showcases one of the best examples of lava flow constricted by a valley in the world. A number of information boards at the lookout provide visitors with interesting facts about the area and other volcanic features arising from the Mt Napier eruption. The lookout is located just off the main highway and is easily accessible with ample spaces for parking.

Hamilton VIC

22 km away

Settlers Walk, Cavendish — Image credit: Danielle Thomas Photography - One Day Collective

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Settlers Walk Cavendish

Established as a memorial to Cavendish's Solider Settlers, the mid 50s pioneers, 'Settlers Walk' brings our past back to life via brief stories on plaques affixed to volcanic rocks situated along the river. Entrance to the walk is through the garden beside the Police Station. A plaque can be seen as you enter through the hand gate. Follow via the boardwalk for about 1300 metres along the riverbank to the eastern boundary of the town. Hongsip's Bridge is a reminder of Chinese connection when thousands passed through Cavendish on their way to the Goldfields. Meander along the river's edge taking a moment to view an ancient and picturesque waterhole used by Police troopers surrounded by century-old trees and views of vast river flats and the Grampians. This section of the walk can also be accessed by car via Cameron Street, one block east of the Police Station, with car parking and a picnic area available. Peaceful and picturesque vistas, birdlife and beautiful ancient red gums greet you along this section ending with views of the vast river flats and the Grampians forming the backdrop. Settlers Walk provides picnic table areas, several boardwalks, two footbridges, and plaques along the river noting historic places of interest. The walk is two kilometres in total so allow yourself 45 minutes at an easy walking pace.

Cavendish VIC

24 km away

Byaduk General Store

Shopping and Markets

Byaduk General Store

Located along the main stretch of Byaduk, pop in and see Robyn at the Byaduk General Store during your exploration of the town. Full to the brim with antiques, clothing, homewares, accessories and other delightful finds, the store is a hidden gem. Take your time browsing and be pleasantly surprised – with a mixture of both new and old, you will be sure to find something you love. Robyn is constantly updating what she has in her shop so every time you come you'll find something different. In the restored old General Store building, Robyn has done a great job retaining the building's historical elements. Once you've found a treasure inside, don't forget to have a look at the blue door of the adjoining bluestone building. It provides the perfect photo opportunity and a little keepsake of the gorgeous little store and town.

Byaduk VIC

25 km away

Yatmerone Reserve — Image credit: Southern Grampians Shire Council

Natural Attractions

Yatmerone Reserve

With over 30 species of birds living in the wetlands, Yatmerone is a popular bird-watching area providing a place where visitors can appreciate the local flora and fauna as well as catch a glimpse of native wildlife. The Reserve is fed by a spring being one of few deep Fresh Water Marsh Wetlands in the area, and so provides a habitat and summer refuge for plants and animals. A trail along the edge of the reserve takes walkers through a small native parkland, providing plenty of opportunities to photograph the local flora and fauna. A bird hide can be found only a few hundred metres down the trail and provides a place for bird watchers to observe the bird species as they go about their business. Completely hidden from their view, the bird hide provides a perfect place for photographers to capture birds and other wildlife. The 13 hectares are designated for Nature Conservation and managed by Parks Victoria for the purpose of wildlife management.

Penshurst VIC

25 km away

Penshurst Botanic Gardens — Image credit: SGSC

Natural Attractions

Penshurst Botanic Gardens

Tucked away just off the Hamilton Highway with entry via Cox Street, the Penshurst Wetland Gardens are located within the Penshurst Botanic Gardens complex. The Wetlands are naturally formed, revolving around a never-failing spring. Originally set aside as public gardens in 1876, the gardens were redeveloped in 1993 to take advantage of the spring where they were landscaped to include elements of Australasian, Asian, American and European Wetlands. The 13-acre gardens feature an impressive collection of plants and flowers with the spring creek eventually forming into a lake, where a gazebo is perched on the water’s edge. From the gazebo, visitors are treated to spectacular views of the Grampians and surrounding landscape. With walking paths throughout the gardens and multiple viewing areas and park benches, the Wetlands are best to experience by foot, however, a car park along Chesswas Street enables visitors to view the gardens from the car.

Penshurst VIC

26 km away

Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre — Image credit: Best Aussie Vans Campaign

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre and Rock Garden

To see a volcano blow its top and a red river of molten lava cascade down its side is to feel the awesome power of the natural world. An unusual experience awaits you at Penshurst. The Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre and Rock Garden is a unique museum experience, where hands-on, interactive displays enable visitors to learn about volcanoes, with a particular focus on those in the Western District. Penshurst is located in the heart of the Newer Volcanics Province on the third largest volcanic plain on Earth with its own resident volcano, Collorrer/Mount Rouse. The Discovery Centre and Rock Garden will transport you back thousands of years to when volcanoes were erupting all over the Western District using simulations and relics. Immerse yourself in how volcanoes are formed, their geology, their history in the Greater Hamilton area, the interaction of the Koorie people with volcanoes and view a simulation of Collorrer/Mount Rouse, Penshurst's very own volcano, erupting. The Centre is located on Martin Street with access via a service road off the Penshurst-Warrnambool Road. With ample rooms for bus and car parking and public toilets.

Penshurst VIC

26 km away

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