Wonderful experience had by my family and I, my little boy always enjoys himself while at EMR, staff are very nice and helpful and always have a smile on their face. I recommend everyone visit here with their family. 10/10

Lovely staff, made it more enjoyable. Great family activity especially if you have kids. Definitely recommend it.

Wonderful 8 min train ride. My One and a half year old LOVED it, and so did the adults.

Tiny train in Elmore!! So fun! Perfect small activity if in the area :) friendly staff and lovely view!

A must to check out these school holidays or when you are passing through Elmore!! A nostalgic and fun experience with my two and three year old for only $5 you can’t go wrong!! Thanks for having us. I would love to help with their mini set ups throughout the train ride, soooo much potential!!

We absolutely enjoyed the ride today. All staff members were very professional and kind. The price is very reasonable and the ride is the prefect distance and time for kids Highly recommend

Excellent. Great for families. Nothing better and fun than a miniature train ride.

We had the best relaxing and wonderful experience this weekend, canoeing through the park on the still water of the Murray River. Amazing place for bird watching and rest, I love coming to this park to fully recharge!!! Definitely a must go for a chill holiday

Had a really nice day here relaxing. It has been dry for a while so the roads were solid. I wasn't in a 4x4 but made it riverside on 13inch wheels. Some deeps parts in the tracks so beware. If you are looking to escape and have some peace and quiet see some wildlife then this is a good place to go.

Good place to get away from people and enjoy nature. Some damage from the floods. Very basic facilities.

Beautiful camp-site for the whole family. Very clean and beautiful views.

Really good camping area. We stayed at the Gunbower state Forest so we could take the doggo with us. Watch out for the mozzies and millipedes.

Good boat ramp. Plenty of places to set up camp along the river.

Beautiful spot to camp along the river

10/10 for service with a smile from Toby and the team regardless of how busy it was - he took the time to talk to us about how each of the wine was made and where it was from. Learnt so much and really enjoyed my first trip to the Castlemaine wine region 🍷

Lunchtime booking for 8 on Sunday. Mild temp but overcast, no wind whatsoever and drizzling. Perfect for the verandah. Wine tasting at the table prior to platters and pizza. Best dish - the arancini balls. Staff were hugely accommodating as we had booked for inside but the outside area is nice if the weather is good. Always consistently good in a refined way. Always recommended.

Laura you were incredible with helping us plan our wedding. Your detailed brochure with many suggestions for vendors was extremely helpful too. Given the lead up to our wedding was one of the toughest weeks, Laura put in the hard yards to ensure that we were accommodated really well and all guests were comfortable. On the day of the wedding, all staff were so lovely and friendly. They assisted with our ceremony and reception and we had so many comments from guests about how nice everyone was. The food was absolutely amazing, so well cooked. The canapes, the entree and main, followed by the dessert, were 10/10. Not to mention the delicious wine which we thoroughly enjoyed! The venue itself is stunning, the location and the barrel room is beautiful. We got a perfect day for weather and our photos were perfect. I have attached a photo from one of our guests which speaks for itself. Thank you Laura and all staff at Sutton Grange Winery!

My love and I went here last weekend, and on a sunny autumn day, the atmosphere was more than we could have ever imagined. From the picturesque views with the sounds of nature to the gorgeous wine, Melissa looked after us for our tasting and accommodated our wants and desires for our experience. We were fortunate enough to have the venue to ourselves, something we will cherish forever!

We came for a girls day out to celebrate a birthday. The food, staff and atmosphere was exceptional. What a great spot to relax with good company to wine and dine! Thanks for having us

Such a beautiful spot and really lovely wines. Su was so passionate talking through all the wines and we had a good time with the tasting to get a couple of vinos Unfortunately they weren’t doing their cheese boards at this time and no nibbles which was a downer

Nice venue, wine and food. Some staff we encountered at a recent wedding we attended here were pretty average, short, rude, uninviting, almost as if we were a burden being there. Caught us off guard as the rest of the venue was great. Few more smiles and an eagerness to accomodate would have been great and completely changed our experience from an average one to a great one. In saying this, some of the staff were great, it was just a few that spoiled it for us.

The lake is quite nice, but nothing special. It’s well located in walking distance of the town and a stop on the Talking Tram Tour. There’s a cafe with a great lake view and we appreciated some of the different bird who live by the habitat, but it seemed a bit overhyped for me.

Very nice lake. Good place to run. About 1.4km for a long loop. Shorter if you take the scenic boardwalk route.

Beauteous place for walking, playing, and picnic. Amazing views with great cafes around. The coffee van is also here in the car park, which is very good.

Went here for the Bendigo Sprint Rowing Regatta. Lovely spot. Bar and restaurant at one end overlooking the lake. Coffee and food vans. Lots of people walking around the lake.

A wonderful lake to walk around. This popular venue attracts dog walkers, bike riders, children, adults - just about anyone who enjoys relaxing in the great outdoors. After having a late breakfast nearby, we strolled around this very pleasant park, lake and gardens. The residents of Bendigo are indeed lucky to have such a terrific space to enjoy - as are the ducks, swans and other feathered creatures. Visitors to the city can easily see why this place is so popular. There is even a coffee van :-) Here are some photos of Lake Weeroona. Do yourself a favour and visit!

Lake Weeroona is beautiful. Love to come here on a Saturday and watch the rowing regattas, whilst walking around it. It has a great playground for the kids, a BBQ Pavilion and plenty of benches to sit, relax and enjoy. And if hungry or thirsty, The Boardwalk Cafe will satisfy both.

Great central location to get some exercise in. A bit of 1km loop around the lake which was peaceful of an evening. Some water available along the way for people and dogs.

The Talking Tram ride was such a cool way to explore Bendigo. You get to sit in a beautifully restored tram while learning the history of the city. It’s relaxed, fun, and gives you a whole new appreciation for Bendigo. Great for all ages!

What a different dog friendly experience to go on a hop on hop off tram through Bendigo and learn about its history. Lots of easy free parking nearby and we even got to tour the Central Deborah Gold Mine while waiting for our tram with our dog joining us. Highly recommended

This quaint little hidden gem of a cafe is perfect for your after work coffee or visitors to the town who want something off the beaten path. Plenty of seating, great customer service and delicious well priced food. Gorgeous decorated interior of the vintage tram and in a perfect location, right next to the vintage tram history tour for Bendigo's hot spots.

The tram service provides historic information along the way and stops at significant landmarks. A $20 ticket is valid for the entire day, making it totally worth it if you’re exploring Bendigo city.

Really good and value the money! 18$ you can enjoy the city. The driving will tell you the place that you stop, also the story of the tram. You can visit centre city, tram cafe and 2/3 places more. You can start from centre city or Goldmine or tram cafe. Wherever you park.

Wonderful way to see Bendigo, go early and get yourself a ticket, then just hop on and off through out the day seeing the sights.

I was so pleased to be able to take my dog with me for this tram ride, made it an easier day for me. There are 5 places you can hop off and on to the next one. Just get the time table. There’s good info given as the tram travels along but a little too noisy from the old tram to hear sometimes. The driver had time to give us a bit of a personal history lesson which was interesting and so nice of him. Well worth doing, you can also visit the tram depot museum.

This place is amazing. It shows the Chinese involvement with Bendigo since the Gold rush years. The collection of Chinese artefacts is vast and very interesting to look at. The whole site is very good and the restaurant was a great place for lunch.

Incredible collection of Chinese artefacts. We spent ages wandering around looking at everything. It's just a shame that there isn't more space to display the collection as it's quite overcrowded. We believe that there are hopes for an extension to the building which will open the displays up a bit more. With a little cafe onsite and situated next to a small Chinese Garden it is really a worthwhile place to visit. Thank you to the staff who were very helpful and friendly. We had a lovely visit.

A nice place to visit, full of local history. Kids found it boring as they do, but we didn't care. We enjoyed it. Beautiful gardens with a nice Chinese restaurant next door.

Didn't go into the museum, but thoroughly enjoyed the surrounding gardens and temple, where I offered some incense and did some prayers. A fantastic area with delightful and pretty gardens. Well maintained and spiritual.

We arrived rather late so museum already closed, however we are so lucky to witness the practice of Dragon Show for Moon Festival on Friday 26 September 2025. They are so great to see group of young talents practice & perform. The 5 stars are for them ☺️.

Amazing place to visit and read about their culture. Had a display of the Chinese Bells and was very interactive and informative.. also blew me away with a fully hand carved Jade ceremony chariot.. a must see.

Loved this cultural experience and the history of the Chinese people who settled in Bendigo and surrounds who contributed a richness to the area. Very historical and educational, well worth the visit. Some great interactive displays, the ringing and history of the bells was great.

Our primary reason for visiting the Gallery was to experience the Frida Kahlo exhibition and it didn't disappoint 😍 we spend 2hrs wandering with our eyes fixed on every single exhibit. An absolutely wonderful Gallery with so very much on offer to see, regardless of whether you are interested or not. Just do it!!!

Judy is a lovely tour guide! She taught me about the history of the painting and artist, and stories about what the painting is about. She showed me a lot of details I wouldn't have picked up and I'll be paying more attention to art from now on.

I've heard such wonderful things about the Bendigo Art Gallery and have been meaning to visit for ages. The exhibitions always sound so interesting and well-curated, drawing in people from all walks of life. I particularly love seeing how they celebrate local artists and showcase diverse perspectives.

Visited a few years ago when it was the Elvis Exhibition. What a wonderful Gallery and immaculately presented. Despite being a busy afternoon session, everyone was friendly, gave each other room to take photos and admire the King of Rock n Roll. A true asset to Bendigo.

I love this place, I could just sit and enjoy every brushstroke. There are so many massive paintings, and each one is absolutely beautiful.

Bendigo Art Gallery is reason enough to make the trip up the Calder. Housed in a graceful heritage building seamlessly blended with a sleek contemporary extension, it feels both historic and fresh. High-ceilinged rooms flood with natural light, while clever architecture guides you from grand 19th-century spaces to crisp, modern galleries without a hitch. Curation is top-class for a regional institution. The permanent Australian collection gives real depth. How about thinking of Heidelberg School landscapes in one room and bold contemporary works in the next, yet the blockbuster touring shows are what really shine. Whether it’s fashion icons, photography retrospectives or pop-culture tributes, the gallery consistently punches above its weight, drawing crowds that rival big-city institutions. Labels are informative without lecturing, and there’s always a thoughtfully placed bench or two so you can linger over a favourite piece. Practical touches round out the experience: friendly staff happy to chat about works, an airy café with excellent coffee and local bites, and a well-stocked shop that goes beyond generic souvenirs. The whole visit feels welcoming rather than stuffy, making it easy to lose a couple of hours in art-driven bliss. Five stars from me! Bendigo Art Gallery sets the gold standard for regional culture in Victoria.

Stunning gallery - Frida Kahlo was incredible (excepts labels & interpretation almost impossible to read unfortunately) & permanent collection really well arranged! Very helpful concierge & shop staff

The architectural beauty of the cathedral is beyond beautiful. indeed one of the best landmark of Bendigo. The solemnity, peace and tranquility you will feel when you enter the church will warm your heart.

A beautiful church to visit.The Sacred Heart Cathedral is one of the most significant religious and architectural landmarks in Australia. Its history reflects the prosperity of Bendigo during the gold-rush era, as well as the dedication of the Catholic community over nearly a century. Rich in history. A must visit place.

Experienced peace and tranquility here. One of the most beautiful churches in the regional area. Had the opportunity to connect with God further. Truly a stunning and must visit place in Bendigo!

The Cathedral is truly a magnificent sight! Its grandeur and serene atmosphere create a deeply spiritual experience. The architectural details are breathtaking, inviting reflection and reverence at every turn.

The architecture was absolutely stunning. Truly impressive craftsmanship and a peaceful atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit! ✝️⛪️

a beautiful space. magnificent cathedral. helpful and knowledgeable volunteers, who have amazing stories of the cathedral's history.

I was lucky enough to be here for a wedding. After travelling in England this is just as beautiful 😍

It was a great experience visiting the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo. It operated from 1939 to 1954 to a depth of 422 metres. It yielded 929 Kg of gold from its mining operations. The best part was going 61m underground with a hard hat ON to see how the gold mine workers worked in those days and how gold was mined from there. The tour guides were quite knowledgeable and kept everyone engaged throughout the tour. The Surface tour is a great way to know more about the gold mine and how things operated back in the days. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Bendigo.

We did the underground mine tour, with Graham, it was great!! He gave us lots of really good info but it was still fun. It was so surprisingly wheelchair accessible! They really had thought of everything we felt really comfortable with everything. All the staff were actually really friendly and helpful, and a good shop!

Going underground at the Central Deborah Gold Mine was an unforgettable experience. The tour guides were fantastic, explaining the history and stories of the miners. It’s both fun and eye-opening — a must-do if you want to really dive into Bendigo’s gold rush past.

Absolutely worth a visit to this fab centre, our tour guide (nathan) was superb and we he learnt so much about what life as a miner really was like. Sadly we didn’t come away with any gold nuggets but we did come away with a lot of the educational type and they’re priceless !! We booked the first tour - 10am, then took the ‘talking tram’ into town for lunch. Thoroughly recommend you doing that too if you have time

Everyone except for me thought this was going to be boring, they were all wrong. The underground mine tour was awesome and very informative. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. He made everyone comfortable and answered all questions thrown at him. A must-see/do if in Bendigo.

Great place to visit. Very informative, outlining how Bendigo was formed. Can highly recommend a tour of the mine and could not rate our tour guide Ollie any higher. A very knowledgeable man who knows his stuff. Well done Ollie….

A 60 metre deep gold mine. Our guide explained everything in details. There are some big gold nuggets in display. Recommended to Book early before going

Thoroughly enjoyed going on the stream train! Such an amazing experience and I hope to cost and ride on our again! The volunteers for the train are wonderful people! I highly recommend going on the stream train.

Delightful Day

Great fun riding the old rail carriges behind a steam train through the country side, smelling the smoke and hearing the sounds of the loco .

Good town to live in, got ice-cream for $8 and it was better then what you get in the city, and saw lots of good looking cars new and old, and while I was there went to a local market didn't get anything but there were lots of cute and well made goods.

Heritage railway station and a steam engine buffs delight. On the day we were there, the Royal Train was at the station and you could explore it for a small fee. Also, there is a good range of vintage rolling stock - both carriages and goods wagons - to photograph and explore. We weren't there on a day that the trains were running, but the Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) does run steam trains on certain days of the year. They have a website that you can check out for what is happening and when.

The "Victorian Goldfields Railway" is an excellent example of a volunteer heritage railway. It runs between Maldon & Castlemaine, via Muckleford. There are lovingly restored Victorian Railways carriages & locomotives. I like the old leather seats & compartments. Such a luxury! Beats the coloured 'cushions' on the suburban trains. There's even a first class option, travelling in a sleeper carriage with observation platform at the end, or the one with leather upholstered tub chairs, & refreshments bar.

Very good

Grand old building. History laid on.

After receiving state funding from Heritage Victoria the magnificent Maryborough Station underwent a 4‐year three-stage restoration of the façade, the slate roof and clock tower and glazed lantern covering the main carriageway platform completed in 2012. It is a tribute to the Victorian Railways, Architectural Works Department completed in 1890 as an outstanding example to the school of Victorian railway architecture developing a regional rather than national or international modern style. It is one of the finest examples in the country of Queen-Anne architecture which displays many hallmarks of the Anglo‐Dutch style which is enlivened at the roofline with gables and an asymmetrically placed clock tower. During the 1970’s much of the original facade ornamentation, the orbs, pedestals and ball-caps and rendered octagonal chimney crowns were sadly removed. These were carefully re-cast and reinstated as part of the restoration programme. The exterior was re-rendered using Adelaide ‘Brightonlite’ yellow-ocher oxide cement render. The residents of Maryborough were delighted with the result and applauded its face-lift and remarked “this is how it was meant to be” and how they could remember the way the station looked originally. An outstanding feature of Maryborough Station is its long platform covered by a continuous glazed lantern at the apex. This is said to be the longest single platform outside the Melbourne region and measures 1010 meters including the rail motor sidings. Today, Maryborough Station operates an art gallery emporium, a fully licensed restaurant in the grand dining hall (thanks Lloyd) and VLine post and freight services for passenger and goods trains. Maryborough Station is an exceptional country Victorian attraction and well worth the visit. Thank you and all the best, Chris Wilmar

Staff very rude argued over Coke Zero and Diet Coke insisting no difference in taste Meal average Only good thing is the cheese cake Service poor

On our way home to Mount Gambier today we stopped in to Marlborough station hoping for coffee and early feed....OMG we were not disappointed... The best cooked breakfast I have ever experienced....every mouthful delicious and well presented...chai late..prefect... What lovely friendly staff.....amazing atmosphere....do your self a favour if travelling and looking for a good feed...worth the stop....

Friendly service. Great coffee.

“Expect the unexpected “ was the wording on the menu for the tasting platter . Totally delicious . Thankyou Linda for your food passion and wine knowledge . We will return .Ally .

We had a very enjoyable tasting experience and lunch at Blue Pyrenees. We tasted all the wines available and found plenty that we liked. We particularly enjoyed the Sauvignon Blanc and the Shiraz Marsanne. The staff were all very friendly and provided excellent service, particularly the lady who guided us through the tasting and organised our platter lunch. The platter was a good size with an interesting mix of very tasty food.

Absolutely fantastic experience with beautiful wines and incredible platter, Linda was lovely to talk with and described the wines great. Will definitely be back.

My wife and I had the best time at Blue Cafe just last Monday. Without a doubt Linda makes the most flavoursome hot and cold platter we have ever eaten and — we have eaten a great many on our travels. We love the variety, texture and diverse tastes on the platter washed down with a bottle of sparkling rose — a beautiful lunch outside in the sun with our dog Maisie.In fact this is our fifth platter here and it is by far our favourite winery destination. Linda is a star who remembers us and always makes us feel very welcome Great job Blue Pyrenees Ian and Jill

We visit at least once a year for the wonderful platters and wine. They cater to all our dietaries (gluten free, pescatarian) with ease and their kids menu is small but really well done.

Amazing food. Fabulous wines. Friendly staff. Edward & Linda are friendly and fun! Don’t leave without ordering the delicious House Platter (…it gets better every time… always something different to tantalise the tastebuds!) that pairs perfectly with any of the wines available. One of the best cellar doors in the state!

Amazing experience!!! Séan met us as we strode up to the cellar door and gave us an impromptu tour of the corking process for bubbles "methode tradionelle"...... absolutely intriguing! The freezing process following time on lees, the cork size pre insertion...... to see it in action was incredible!! Then upstairs for an amazing platter & wine tasting with Linda! That platter was next level......catering for our dietary requirements and also substantial!!! Linda's wine knowledge was exceptional! We will definitely be back.....and.......Linda, we hope you celebrated your birthday in style following dry July! 🙌🥂🎉

Wonderful dog friendly winery with an incredible menu of bespoke wine. Taste after taste, every bottle better than the last. Our hosts Annie and Lily were generous with their time, with helping us navigate the area as tourists, and fed us a delicious platter of antipasto. Top notch winery experience: we can’t wait to come back.

Such an amazing place! Annie was a great host. Very knowledgeable, accommodating and easy to deal with. An afternoon of relaxing music A must see place to visit for an afternoon of great wine & entertainment! highly recommend

We have loved Taltarni wines for many years now which we get here in WA, and were excited to be stopping in on our road trip through Victoria. It was one of the stops we had been looking forward to for a long time. The CD was absolutely amazing and all that we hoped it would be, we had very high hopes. Unfortunately Anne who looked after us left us highly disappointed, she clearly didn’t know much about the wines, we asked a few simple questions but her responses were rude, and she acted like we were interrupting her day. Having waited so long to go there, we left with only 2 bottles as we just wanted to get out of there. We still love the wines, at least they didn’t leave a bitter taste in our mouths.

Dropped in there with friends for a cheese and meat platter and wine . Was very disappointed with the lack of knowledge from the woman serving- Anne - she was outright rude and was obviously lacking in her knowledge. She spoke very rudely to another staff member who looked embarrassed. The cheese platter wasn’t as good as the one we had last year. There was an amazingly knowledgeable woman last year who was friendly and helpful. We bought a lot of wine last year . But she was gone and had been replaced by this Anne who was just plain rude and had no idea about the wine. We left unhappy. We were going to book a large group for November but have decided to go elsewhere instead.

Annie ensured we had the most amazing experience tasting the wines available at Taltarnie. She also provided platters that were a delight, patient, knowledgeable a credit to the winery.

Came in for Easter weekend. The lady behind the bar was useless. Her customer skill were clearly lacking. And it was obvious she knew nothing about the wine she was pouring. Also the coffee was undrinkable. Taltarni use to be our favourite place to visit….we won’t be back

Beautiful native setting for the tasting room. Lovely use of timber throughout. Very helpful new customer service girl, friendly but not pushy! Wide choice of wine to taste!

Some bloody amazing things, unfortunately the pricing is high end retail and not what you would expect from a picker market in the middle of nowhere.. we where hoping for some bargains and novelty pieces to bring home. But unfortunately it was all far to expensive.

Been to many similar shops around the country, this is one of the best. A must visit in Stawell. On the highway, so very convenient. Everything well organised and good layout. Lots of interesting and quality items. I just move into the area, so will be back to get something for decorations.

What a surprise this little place was. Often driven by for years and often said I must drop in. Well I did and three hours later and arm fulls of treasure I had to leave. But I will be back. Excellent service. As you walk around collecting stuff, staff come and ask if you would like them to take your stash to the counter while you continue collecting more. Very organised.

Absolutely fantastic range of all types of collectables some not so old. Jewellery range very nicely priced. Never surprised of what is here from each visit to the next . I have never gone away disappointed. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Groups are welcome here all aisles are set out for wheelchair and mobility walker access. Come and have a look you won't be disappointed

This little (huge) gem of a place was packed full of amazing. I was so sad that we were their last sale EVER! I would have been a regular down there being new to town and loving second hand goods.

Lots of little, interesting, individual stalls (sort of like a market) all together in a huge shed. With such a diverse range of products. Brand new, Secondhand, Antique, Homemade. They even have a little Health food stall included with things like Gluten Free, Weight loss assistance, protein powders and bars etc, organic products, Vegan products (including cheeses) Can also write your own suggestions for products and they will try their best to source it for you.

Friendly staff, huge stock to browse. A trip through time!

The colors really pop....there is a perimeter fence like round the silo that you are required to keep out. You can find toilets some few meters in memorial park

What a brilliant stop on the Silo Art Trail! The new Rupanyup Silo Art by Aussie street artist Smug is absolutely stunning — bold, detailed and full of local heart. The mix of golden paddocks, farming life and those cheeky little blue wrens gives it a real Aussie charm. It perfectly captures the spirit of the Wimmera — proud, hardworking and connected to the land. Pull over for a photo, stretch the legs and soak it in — it’s country creativity at its finest. A top spot for art lovers, bird watchers or anyone who just loves a good a bit of colour in the bush.

Great low cost caravan camping area with power at $10 night in nice setting. Museum and silo art close by. Food truck a bonus. Great community feel.

There is no story board for this new Silo art yet. The Blue Wren and the influence of farming is fitting for the area🌾🐏

Stunning silo art repainted in March 2025 - it just pops off the silo.

Very nice work of art. Worth stopping by.

Silo Art worth stopping for a look. Had a coffee at the Coffee Van.

Truly one of a kind artwork, the elders and the two children, the generations of people who own the land. A landmark to celebrate the land, the stars, the beauty and the beliefs. The artwork is respectful about the past, hopeful about the future and will transcend the generations to come. The color selection is awesome. What's even more wonderful, is the day expressions on the faces.

Amazing work by artist Adnate.

Great place to come on a drive and sit down and relax and have a bit to eat or just look at the great artwork painted onto the silos.

By far, this was the highlight of our holiday. This artwork is not found on the street but had to drive an hour from Stawell where we were staying. It was worth the drive even the speeding fine on the way there. The picture will tell how fascinating this piece of artwork and how it was done on such huge canvas. Located on a secluded area and tours available for several Silo artworks on different places. Well recommended to people to see and be proud of this.

Absolutely fantastic a worthwhile place for all people to visit amazing artwork and some great Victorian towns that got this country started.

One of the top silo on the art trail, so good for an artist to capture indigenous australians as this represents our country. The detail is amazing as you can get a real feel of what they were trying to accomplish. Worth the trip

Majestic and so high definition. It's just mind boggling that the artist was able to create so much detail on such a difficult and large canvas. The images of Aboriginal people are surreal. You can see the reflection of sky in their eyes. My favourite on the silo art trail. You cannot miss this one.

The souvenirs shop inside the Giant Koala was closed when I passed by it after 4pm during my road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne in Easter holiday. The Giant Koala situated at Dadswell Bridge between Stawell and Horsham, and it is one of Australia’s iconic “Big things”. If they are open when you are driving along the Western Highway, you may take a break and stop for a snack or meal at the restaurant next to the Koala, or buy souvenirs and gifts inside the Koala. The Koala looked a bit weird and I just wanted to ask the designer why the Koala looked quite unhappy and for what reason the designer put some hairs inside the Koala's ears?😳 The Koala sculpture was erected in 1988, 37 years ago, so I am unsure if the designer can still answer my queries.

The Giant Koala shifts with the sky — brooding beneath storm clouds, gentle in the morning sun. Australia’s biggest koala and one of the nation’s beloved “Big Things,” it has weathered years of bushfires, droughts, floods, and the pandemic, standing as a quiet symbol of resilience on the road to the Grampians. Inside, the café and souvenir shop run by Pat and Doug for over a decade carry an old charm that feels like stepping back in time. The old zoo may be gone, but the spirit of the place remains. Pause for a coffee, take home a plush toy or keepsake, and share a photo with this Aussie icon. Support it, so the Giant Koala’s many moods can be seen by generations to come.

A gangsta in full costume was dancing in front of The Giant Koala when we arrived. He look like a serious G so we decided to let him finish dancing and I think they were shooting a music video because everywhere he danced, his camera-woman would follow. After 25 minutes my daughter got restless and just wanted to take her photo in front of The Giant Koala and go home because The Giant Koala was making her feel uncomfortable. G had plenty of energy because we waited a further 15 minutes for him to stop his hippity hop dance. It was captivating and irritating at the same time. Watching it was like staring into a campfire late at night when you feel sleepy and it’s drawing you in. So much so did we both feel it that my daughter suggested he was actually a wizard of sorts that was doing spells instead of dancing. After he finished, we shook off our campfire daze and approached The Giant Koala and asked it permission for a quick photo. Its eyes proceeded to pour out of its head like sand so maybe he was a wizard.

If your interested in the Big Stuff then this Koala is for you. A quick attraction to look at and have a rest.

Found this exciting Koala while driving on the highway. Very unique and has a restaurant next to it.

If you love kitschy big roadside attractions, then the Giant Koala is for you. It is the ugliest koala ever, but that's what's fun about it.

Be sure to stop at the Cafe for a feed when you’re passing through, great friendly staff! Great tourist location!

Speechless. Incredible lookout! It's a quick stroll to the lookout, you can see the lookout from the carpark! suitable for everyone of all abilities. If you want to go for a longer walk there are some more challenging trails surrounding the platform that allow you to take in the views. It's very high up so it's very cold, bring a jacket and some warm pants! Unless it's summer of course. I could stay up there for hours just taking in the view, a must see of the Grampians!

On that rainy day, the viewing platform I had been so looking forward to visiting seemed draped in a delicate veil. Thick mist concealed the distant mountains and the horizon, turning what should have been a wide, open view into something hazy and unreal. In that moment, a touch of disappointment welled up in me, as though I had missed the chance to see the most beautiful painting. Yet, as the light rain tapped gently against the railing and the fog drifted slowly with the wind, a different kind of charm emerged—the world felt quiet and mysterious, like stepping into an unfinished ink painting. Although I wasn’t able to witness the vast and magnificent scenery I had hoped for, I could still sense the allure of nature. And perhaps it was this very incompleteness that became a new source of anticipation. In my heart, I made a quiet promise: next time, on a clear and sunny day, I will return to let this unfinished landscape find its perfect ending in my memory.

Guys, don’t miss this place! We actually planned to come for the sunrise but couldn’t make it, and still — it was absolutely beautiful. You can visit anytime of the day and it’s worth it. I’d say this is one of the best lookout points in the Grampians. It’s super easy to access, just a short two to three minute walk from the parking area, and there’s plenty of parking too. It’s also accessible for people with disabilities, which is great. Definitely one of the places I’d highly recommend!

Absolutely stunning views from this lookout across the valley! Short drive from Halls Gap through windy roads, signs will lead the way. Less than a minute walk from the car park with no steps/stairs, accessible for everyone. There’s a viewing point on the left where you look over the cliff rocks towards the dam and another lookout to the right where you can directly see the dam. There’s drop toilets by the car park too. A must see! ⛰️

This is easily a must see when visiting Geriwerd. It is very rasy to drive to, the lookout is about a 30 second walk from the carpark, is wheelchair accessible and is absolutely stunning.

One of the best and easiest lookouts in Grampians to access. No difficult climb, or hours of waking. Just a quick few steps out of the car. Accessible to most people. Stunning on a nice clear day.

The best look out at the Grampians in my opinion! It’s the other side view of Grampians then Reid’s lookout! 5th time I have been here! Still amazing!

Great place to go for a trail ride! Cameron is a fantastic instructor and will give you mini lessons throughout your trail ride! The ride is suitable for riders of all levels, and a horse is selected for your skill level - plenty of chances for nice long canters! Lovely ride through the bush and gorgeous horses to ride!

Had the absolute best time at Grampians Horse Riding. Such friendly and down to earth people, felt so welcome. My horse for the ride Jasper was a perfect fit for me being a beginner. He was so calm and forgiving. The scenery was beautiful and I learned so much. I have definitely started an obsession, I need my own. Thanks so much Cameron!

Had a private tour today with Grampians horse riding centre. Definitely recommend going for a ride here! The surroundings are beautiful, and you get clear explanations about the key aspects of horse riding. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, the tour is customized to your level. The horses are well cared for! What’s great is that it’s not just about the ride, you also get to help with grooming and saddling the horses.

Fantastic! Cameron will teach you everything you need to know to be confident horse riding. We enjoyed the complementary overnight camping in the beautiful remote location the night before the ride. Highly recommend!

Such an awesome experience at Grampians Horse Riding! Cameron was amazing — we learned so much, not just about riding but also about handling challenges together as a couple. Truly unforgettable, and we’ll definitely be back next time!

Went with my partner for a two hour trail ride. Had a great time as a beginner, Cameron was informative about horses, horse riding, and the local area. If you've the time and are in the area, definitely give it a go. Can't go wrong.

This is more than just your average trail riding centre. If you enjoy well educated quality horses then this is for you. Safety is always a priority but balanced with fun engaging exercises. Cameron respects his horses and expects you to do the same. He has a wealth of equine knowledge to offer if you're willing to be educated and is not afraid to keep you in check or alternatively allow you to ride ahead if capable. The scenery is magic and you will come away refreshed and more confident in your skills. We had a group of four riders from absolute beginner to rusty old keen 'wanna be' and all thoroughly beamed after our ride! Can't wait to have the privilege to ride with you again Cameron. Good luck with those non equine ventures and hope you have recovered from those renovation induced injuries;).

Stopped in this week with the rugrat and friend. Beautifully set out and lots of shade and handy for a stroll along the river. Highly recommended.

Lovely place to sit and have afternoon tea. Had to bring our own though.

Quiet question good place for relaxing. There is a playground and many different types of gardens.

Lots of work has gone into maintaining these gardens, enjoyable to walk around on a sunny day :)

Relatively small and would have been nice if it were not for a probably well paid gardener employed to cut the grass, who in the process literally demolished much of the grassed areas. Unbelievable. Wish I'd taken some photos Sorry.

First time I've been to a park that bans dogs, what rubbish. At least allow them in on leash like other parks do. Would have been a nice park otherwise

A must see place in Horsham. For that matter you can't go past this beautiful botanical garden without noticing it (if driving towards Anzac centenary bridge, Weir park, etc.) A well manicured, well maintained botanical garden with variety of Flowers, shrubs, plants, trees etc makes for an enjoyable walkabout. There's also a children's playground and barbeque area with toilet facilities etc towards the rear side of this botanical garden. Overall, it's a Good place to spend some time in Horsham.

A drive into the desert.. not really a desert but surrounded by all white sand.. supportive weather is must though.. 4fwd drive cars not required unless weather is bad.. we went straight through via hatchback car.. Picnic ground in the central area.. possibly isolated..

My second flying visit to Little Desert and once again the scenery and bird life blew me away. Add to that Dimboola is an amazing little town, make sure to stop in and grab lunch or something to eat and support the lovely local businesses.

Amazing landscape , 4wd only and need 2inch clearance as sand can be deep in some parts. I personally wouldn't do this in rain and summer months.

Stunning natural beauty and tranquility. Lovely quiet place to bring the family in our motorhome and enjoy a campfire, walks and a dip in the river.

Beautiful area but sadly closed for to a recent fire. So need to revisit one day

Camped at horseshoe bend, great paid campsite on the river. You must book online. Lovely swim in the river, flushing toilets and fireworks. No other amenities. Lots of kookaburras... And they are not afraid to steal your food from your plate. They were flying under our awning to steal food .. Even tried to grab the lamb out of the camp oven, still in the flames! (We did not feed them at all) leave nothing but footprints! 4WD ing some very soft sandy tracks through the park was a bit of fun. (If anyone finds the top 1/3rd of a sand flag... It's ours) lots of kangaroos speed around the waterfront holes, emus and other Birdlife.

Spent 2 days here and never saw another car, i guess with it's big brother not far away this little desert might get overlooked. Well worth the adventure. Didn't need to air down the sand was sticky due to the time of year. Easy enough to avoid the large mud holes in the road so a modest 4wd will get you there.

I finally made the trip to Mount Arapiles and wow, it lived up to every bit of the hype. As a visiting climber, I was blown away by the sheer volume and quality of routes. Arapiles is a trad climber’s dream: perfect gear placements, beautiful sandstone, and routes that are both mentally and physically engaging. The climbing community here is incredibly welcoming. I arrived solo and left with new friends, belay partners, and unforgettable memories. The Pines campground has this laid-back, communal vibe that makes you feel instantly at home. Sunrise coffee with a view of the Organ Pipes? Magic. Sunset walks to the summit? Even better. What really struck me was the sense of history and respect for the land climbers here really care about this place. And so they should. Arapiles is more than just a crag; it’s a sacred site for climbers around the world. I’m already counting the days until I can return.

This is the place that stole my heart. Everything about climbing at Arapiles nourishes my soul.

I'm no climber but I loved it here. Awesome view and beautiful scenery. Camp is nice and lots of wildlife everywhere. Lots to do even if you're not a climber, but if you are you would not be disappointed. This is one of the best climbing locations in the world and I would recommend.

Beautiful area for walking relaxing and photography road up is good but narrow not difficult at all just beware of cars coming the other way some tend to think there invincible. And that speed limits are for others not them. Campgrounds looked full but didnt stay so cant comment. Rock climbers were out in force and enjoyed watching them scale the cliffs but not for me 🤣🤣 Highly recommended just take care .

Best time in my entire life was the first time I ever rock climbed this mountain solo. The 2nd best time was the day I randomly discovered the hidden place and thought I'd found a new climbing spot hahahaha

Stunning. Really great to take in on the drive past and enticed a closer visit to the summit as well. Worth a stop to admire the natural beauty.

Worth calling in and walking to the look outs. Amazing rock formation rising up in what is otherwise open plains.

You might drive past without noticing. But inside, the machines wait patiently, blinking their lights into the dimness. It’s not a theme park. It’s quieter than that. The sounds are familiar but distant. The soft clatter of flippers. The lonely bounce of a silver ball. The soft hum of circuits remembering how things used to be. The man who keeps it all going moves with the kind of care people reserve for things that mattered once. He knows the machines. Not just how they work, but what they meant. When he talks about them, he’s not selling nostalgia. He’s preserving something fragile. There’s joy here, but it’s quiet. Like a song you half-remember. Like something once loud, now settled into memory. The Australian Pinball Museum doesn’t try to impress. It doesn’t need to. It remembers for all of us.

If you are driving along the Western Hwy and passing through Nhill, the Australian Pinball Museum is definitely worth a stop. Located just off Dimboola Road, this place is a hidden arcade museum filled with flashing lights, nostalgic sounds, and a huge collection of pinball machines. They have everything from classic older style machines right through to the newest titles, all set up and working beautifully. I found it amazing to not only see such a wide range on display but also to actually play them. Some of my personal favourites were there, and it really brought back memories of when I was younger spending hours in arcades. The pricing is very fair – $2.00 per game on the new machines and $1.00 on the older ones – which makes it easy to play multiple games without breaking the budget. The variety is impressive, and honestly you could spend hours here going from one machine to the next. The vibrant lighting, themed artwork, and buzzing atmosphere make it even more fun. Open daily from 11am to 9pm, it’s an easy stop for families, travelers, or anyone wanting a dose of retro fun. If you grew up playing pinball or just want to try something different, definitely drop in and enjoy a few games. Open hours : 11am to 9pm daily.

when i die, this is where my soul will go. heaps of funky american sodas available for sale, & the place just has that fun lowkey energy rural towns often have. place was empty when i went, & the museum is vast — there are pinball machines from the 1940’s, alongside machines that were released just weeks ago! educational, interactive & fun. 10 outta 10

It was very entertaining to have a go at pinball (even if you're not that great at playing like me) and definitely worth travelling to if you're a pinball enthusiast! Had a variety of playable pinball machines and a lot of vintage machines and promotional posters and machine components on display. My family visited on an evening on a weekday so it wasn't that busy and Vanessa who was working there was very helpful, friendly and lovely to chat to!

What a wonderful place to play pinball! ✨ Edit: why do the tables get more difficult each time I come?! Is the tilt getting harder to make more $? I spent $10 in 10 mins this last time. They have both new & classic machines in operation ✨ Also the person who runs the place is both friendly, and very knowledgeable about pinball, and all the other classic games that are located here 😌😊 I really enjoyed my visit here 😊 Thank you! 😁

Excellent range of machines and owner is awesome with a lot of knowledge on pinballs Great little country town with everything you need as well

Awesome selection of machines, lots of fun. Played the new D&D pinball, so much fun.

This is a wonderful place to visit. I did not know anything about the first Indigenous cricket team. The memorabilia is exceptional. Shirley Crompton

What a wonderful exhibition. If you love cricket and the history that this little gem of a town has then this museum has it. Wonderful people that are very passionate about what they have are so happy to talk to you. An absolute experience. Thanks Harrow.

Amazing find, in the most fascinating little town. Give yourself plenty of time to wander the street, see the history. The cricket museum would have to be one of the best museums I've seen, and I don't even like cricket! Check out the general store for great coffee and a step back in time!

What an amazing place to be. Harrow Cricket museum is the real mecca of cricket, this is where it all started in Australia in 1868. Harrow is a small sleepy town with lovely people and a rich heritage. Harrow Discovery Centre is open all days and a must visit for anyone with love of cricket and history. You can spend the whole day in the Harrow Discovery Centre, and then visit the local pub just across the street. Lovely place!!!!

Very interesting on the history of the first aboriginal cricket team that travelled to the UK in the 1800 . It closes too early on weekends at 2pm but as we were attending the harrow show we were able to visit at night but way too short as the woman commentator was excellent and had us enthralled.

Harrow has a terrific Discovery Centre that was well structured, authentic and steeped in history. The cricket memorabilia is totally amazing. To have such a vast collection of pieces from our first ever team to tour England and the largest Bradman collection in existence is amazing. The volunteer staff are warm and inviting, and enthusiastic about their work. Well worth a visit. Harrow is a lovely quaint warming old country town. A step away from hustle and bustle and return old world charm, a real surprise package.

What a find!! What an amazing amount of cricket memorabilia, with a huge amount dedicated to Bradman. The centre has a great historical connection to its indigenous cricket team. Please visit and donate to keep it running. Excellent achievement for the Harrow community.

We arrived on a wet day and had Sue all to ourselves. Wine tasting was relaxed and delicious, and Sue has created a delightful haven that’s a feast for the eyes. Highly recommend stopping by: we’re already planning on staying here the next time we’re in the area.

Fabulous place! Camp site was fantastic! Even our fur kids were welcome. The wine tasting was the best experience. Sue knows her stuff and was willing to share in a cheerful and positive way. Terrific wines! Thank you 😊

Comfy overnight stop from Murray River to the Great Ocean Road. Limited number of powered sites with decent facilities, old shearing shed built by goldrush labor, and wake up to grazing sheep! Try the wine from a small producer.

We brought our campervans here. Maybe the best campground in Australia 😍 comfortable, clean, organised facilities everything you need and more. Beautiful garden and farm land, fresh food. Upgraded to the delicious homemade bbq pack with no regrets. Mabel the dog is very sweet.. We didn’t get to meet Sue but she was very friendly over the phone. Maria was nice and welcoming. Wine tasting was perfect.

We visited Bellwether last year and loved the shearing shed cellar door, the wines, the garden and the ethos of the place. Then we saw the glamping tents and knew that we had to come stay. The tents are really comfortable. Not powered but they provide lanterns, little gas heaters and hot water bottles. You can charge things in the bathrooms and cellar door. Breakfast is provided each morning - house made bread and fresh eggs and you can help yourself to the produce in the garden. We also ordered a camp oven which was partly cooked and then we finished it off over the fire in the camp kitchen that they left blazing for us. The camp kitchen is fully stocked with everything that you'll need - microwave, kettle, fridge, toaster, gas stove and oven, bbq and the fire. The toilets and showers are clean and plentiful and there us even a claw foot bath. There is a toilet and shower with wheelchair access. The surroundings are gorgeous. Every evening the sheep come and graze around the tents! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and have recommended it to others.

We had a simply wonderful long weekend glamping at Bellwether winery. Sue is an absolute force of nature and an amazing host. The camp kitchen has everything you need (once you find it !), the fresh eggs and homemade bread each morning are a delight and the gorgeous highland cows, Mabel and Lolly the dogs, sheep and birds everywhere made our stay - as if we were as one with nature. The tent is warm but comes with a portable gas heater just in case - we just sat by the campfire each night and crashed. Loved it and highly recommend it for camping friendly folk

We stopped by for a quick wine tasting because we heard this place was quite quirky.. and it was! We were warmly greeted by the cute puppy into a cosy space, filled with eccentric mix of decor and barrels with relaxing jazz playing in the background. Perfect spot to enjoy some wine. We walked away with a Temperinillo. Thank you.

Thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Majella Wines we were looked after by jazz. She was a great host and because of that we had to buy some wine off her lol , she was absolutely sensational and informative

Me and my hubby are their loyal customer for a long time but this is our first time to visit the Majella Wines in Coonawarra. It's so lovely experience with everything here. Friendly, good sense of humour and informative staff, various wine tasting and breath taking scenery. We ended up with a box of 6 different bottles and absolutely will come back again to purchase more products in the future.

The Majella Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my favourites from Coonawarra. I was happy to be able to finally visit their cellar door and I wasn't disappointed. The tasting is free and extremely generous. All the wines on the list were available for sample. Harry was very enthusiastic and full of information about the wines we were tasting. From the tasting, I discovered that in addition to their Cab Sav, I can now add their Shiraz and Merlot to the list!

Great winery to stop at in Coonawarra. Lovely selection for tasting. GPL definitely one to look out for. Also the eau de vin!

Hi team at Magella.just had to connect. We had the privilege of visiting cellar door when first open.small cellar door.We were wowed by the quality. You guys just grew and grew.We visited whenever we we could. Always purchased wine..One of our recent delights was a 2020 Shiraz...AMAZING is not enough. Just want more.Please do you have any of this vintage left.Each year we tried one. And the last 5years later was paradise in a glass.Blueberries blackberries a hint of pepper and spice..Thank you we will visit again SOON. Dotti and Steve.Mclaren Vale area.

What a lovely vineyard and Lisa was just fantastic thank you for our wine experience

Beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Our favourite in the region (so far)! Lovely service at the cellar door. Great range of wines and prices.

The most enjoyable and relaxed winery visit in our trip to the Coonawarra. Unpretentious. Knowledgeable staff. Lovely relaxed atmosphere. Imogen was engaging helpful and full of information. I wish her a long career in the wine industry.

A really nice cellar door. We were greeted at the door and it was not busy. Had a very nice wine tasting and were happy to pay the $5 per person tasting charge as the proceeds go to good charities. We tried most wines with the standout wine being the 2015 Cabernet Merlot and the 2020 Cab Sav gets an honorable mention (although it is still young and can lay down for a while more). The Sparkling Cab Sav divided opinion 50-50. On a nicer warmer day sitting outside on the deck looking over the lake would have been lovely.

A must stop in the Coonawarra! We had a wine tasting on the deck. It was a lovely experience! The staff took time to explain each wine. The whole setting is gorgeous from the rose gardens, to the wine room with glass floors, to the deck on the pond across from the most beautiful gum tree. Even the bathroom was lovely. We purchased three bottles.

Wonderful wines, we really like them all! Cab sav and Shiraz were the red highlights, the Chardonnay was also lovely. $5 tasting fee donated to RFDS. The cellar door host was very friendly and knowledgeable, and the lake side setting was nice too. Platter picnic boxes are available

Visited Balnaves with my husband, baby and parents travelling from Adelaide. Amazing location, peaceful, and we were welcomed as soon as we arrived. A big shout out to Imogen, she was excellent and made our experience so enjoyable. Her knowledge of the wines made it such a great tasting. She took photos for us without asking and sorted out a delicious cheese platter within minutes! Cannot fault the wine each tasting was delicious but Imogen and her service is what made this the best winery we visited in Coonawarra! Out of 8 wineries, thank you Imogen.

Beautiful location overlooking a lake. Exceptional wines at a very reasonable price. Great food platter. Lovely and informative service by Shelley. Very highly recommended.

I really enjoyed the location and the tasting experience here. The young lady staff was so sweet, informative and helpful so we bought some of their products and she made our day (though the rain was such a shame).