A real gem, camping by donation available mid week and the pure wool products they also manufacture here are top quality.

It's the Australian Wool Quilts,underblankets and pillows locally produced here. Top quality!

I haven’t stayed here and I don’t even remember we’re here is all I know is I tried the simply green tomato’s about 11 or 12 years ago I was about 13 years old and I’m now 24 and they still cross my mind a lot, I’m planing to make a trip next year to get some they are awesome from what I remember.🤤😁😊💖

Fantastic couple great quiet place

Fantastic place with great customer service

Wonderful. Quiet, clean, very informative.

Great place next to the lake. Powered sites available

Great place for fishing swims and fireworks

Awesome for camping

Small shop, great customer service with a solid variety of your favourites and some others you don’t see in the shops. I don’t remember the ladies name but the moment we walked in the door we felt right at home. New factory store opening soon, still in Donald

This is what happens when I tell myself I’m just having two with my coffee… Enough said ! 😍 the Best!!!!

Cookies were great. $10 minimum purchase to use card which was fine staff wasn’t helpful when questions were asked. Hopefully will be better when new location opens.

Kooka's shortbread, jam cookies are a staple at many hotels/ motels across Oz. The factory shop in Donald, a small regional town in Western Victoria is well worth a visit to pick up a supply of biscuits/ cookies, some only available at the factory door. Friendly staff made shopping very enjoyable and the cookies are super fresh.

These cookies are the best value for money and are great as well, unfortunately the big supermarkets don't advertise them like other international brands. They are Australian made and owned and l am proud of this. Our useless money grabbing supermarkets should be ashamed.

It’s been on the list to do for a while. The cookies are well and truly tried and tested. Just stocked up. Friendly service and a bargain compared to the Supermarket.

A fabulous down to earth bakery! Great products At amazing prices 👍🏼. Well worth a visit.

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 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.

A fantastic and inexpensive local attraction that wasn’t busy. A great piece or local history too, dying back roughly eighty years. Plenty of parking on site, as well as a gift shop and clean / modern toilets. Allow 20-30 mins to walk the length and return.

Great place, a must to visit. Shows what could be done without a lot of equipment or manpower.

The Stick Shed in Murtoa is an absolute cracker of a stop! Built in 1941–42 as emergency wheat storage during WWII, this massive shed is held up entirely by huge unmilled mountain‑ash poles — it’s incredible that it’s still standing after all these years 😲. Fair dinkum, the scale of it will leave you gobsmacked 😮! The lady who sold me the ticket was full of history and super excited to share it 👏. Before you go in, there’s a quick three-minute video to give you the backstory, plus two other spots inside where you can learn more about the workers and hear their stories 🌾. It’s a National Heritage‑listed gem and a proper tribute to rural Aussie ingenuity. Definitely worth a detour if you’re travelling through country Victoria — a real piece of living history that’s well worth a sticky beak 😉.

An unexpected but delightful tourist attraction. So interesting and a significant part of our war time history. The inside movie was very informative and the guide was helpful. Overall though it was awe inspiring to walk through and imagine constructing this in war time.

Much more than expected. The last of its kind. A piece of Australian history to be treasured. It's hard to imagine how it was built in its day.

Amazing. It’s massive, think big…. Then it’s bigger than that. Great informative video on loop in the information centre. Easy walk to the end.

This is a must see attraction. It's absolutely amazing. How it was built and when. Blood sweat and a lot of hard work went into its construction.

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!

Wow - a totally unexpected experience. Having known the wine, now experienced the cellar door. Lisa is fabulous, took us through 9 different wines. Omg amazing wine, great chats & what a view !

Stunning looking winery with equally stunning wines. Top shelf is pricey but very special wines and are among the best I've had the pleasure to experience. Lisa at the cellar door was lovely, helpful and knowledgeable. Thank you.

We had a great timr in Dalwhinnie. The wine and cheese platter was stunning and Lisa was very welcoming and generous. We were looked after very well. The view is also stunning. It will stick in your mind forever. We would come back again.

Great winery in the hills around Avoca to spend time tasting wines and having a cheese platter

What a great place! Had a wine tasting yesterday, wine was delicious and the service even better. If you are visiting, ask for Lisa!!! She was a vibrant and lovely character that made the experience so great. We will be back 🥂😊 🪨

Perfect experience if you want to learn and test premium wines🍷, if you are in Melbourne is one MUST visit spot 1️⃣

Lisa was great value, cellar door itself is stunning. Wine speaks for itself, though it was certainly helped by the surrounds. Worth a stop!

Beautiful spot friendly onsite managers, lovely clean amenities (one of two) great hot shower, .$15 pn powered site $10 .unpowered....some with fire pits plenty of room around the lake if you are set up fully for off road camping... Only turnoff in meeting great big board with RULES yet NOT one sign to say water is NOT drinkable, I only noticed as I filled my dogs water bowl and it was brownish....NEED SIGNS on each tap, not just a sign wherever it was,.. ....(on rules board or door of amenities, I can't remember now) Kids playground, lots of walking tracks but NO FISHING as too many reeds/grass regrowth due to finally refilling after years of nothing... so we ended up only staying one night and moved to where we could fish..... If and when they do the works as per notice it will be an awesome spot, but ATM only one boat allowed in water to do four laps then next persons turn, takes away all the fun of a water/boating/fishing holiday...All these so called updates we to be finished in April 2024...all they have done is put in one cabin which is fenced off.... Im guessing that's why we pay to stay and sadly it will become more expensive and another free/cheap camp lost..... Between Green Lake and Green Hill Lake the latter is the better option, donation is appreciated to up keep the place...their is about 2ks 😅 camping so wasn't crowded...even tho it only has one amenities block (which you have to hold tap to keep water running in the shower, weird but hey it's a shower) (have been corrected on that, apparently there is two, I thought it was a barby area🤔)you can fish, swim, boat kayak, paddle board,has a great kids playground and only 4ks, ( Ararat) only downfall was freezing the night and morning we were there...(Oct '24) (10 deg with minus 4 feel, and it felt like it) plus very windy... But hey I'd go back anytime just better prepared..👍👌🏻

A lovely place for a dip on a hot day… but plenty of meat ants, sticks in the sand, and the bitumen was blistering hot!!! Also, why is the JetSki access so close to the swimming area???

Love this lake! Great lake for locals and great if you are travelling as it is right on the hwy. Lots of shade from large beautiful pine trees. Sandy, beach like shore. Can be almost intolerably windy but if you happen to come across a less windy day it is simply magical and saves you driving 3+hrs to the closest beach. Main entrance has drop toilets, picnic table, undercover area with seating,possibly a BBQ. If you drive further up the road that runs along the lake, towards Horsham there are lovely areas of the shore to access, another toilet facility and a boat ramp further down. Definitely worth a visit! But be sure to check the water authority internet page regarding alge outbreaks before visiting. No doggos allowed unfortunately 😔 we noticed the signs upon leaving.

Here a few days ago Lovely clean spot Great sunsets and bird life Very clean toilets and shower $15 night to the very caring caretaker

Great amenities great caretaker's recommend this park

Beautiful way of introducing a place to visit looks great thankyou for all the information greatly appreciated.

A great place for a picnic at sunset with tables and one BBQ under a shelter and toilets. Right near the driver reviver coffee station. Good for kayaking, SUP or boating. Quite a walk to the shore

We can only rave about our stay here and had recommended it to at least half a dozen others within days of return. Great area for bike riding across the ranges. Wake up and wind down to fantastic views. Very comfy, not fancy but exceptional value and very welcoming.

I recently had the good fortune of tasting Wimmera Hills new Sparkling Shiraz Rose. Its such an approachable, easy drinking wine with a lovely finish. It's my new go to light sparkling. Excellent work from Ben, Jane & team.

This was one of the highlights of our trip to the Pyrenees/Grampians. Jane and Ben are as welcoming as we have experienced in trips to countless wineries. The wine is amazing and the gin is every bit as good. If you are heading to this region and are in anyway interestedin Shiraz, gin, or both, I simply cannot endorse the drive out to Wimmera Hills enough. Best set aside at least an hour too, you won't want to leave!

Had a lovely day here, experiencing the peaceful countryside, the generous wine and gin tastings and a delicious lunch. Jane and Benjamin are welcome and interesting hosts who produce an incredible range of spirits and wine. Love the new Christmas Gin and the Tasmanian Pepperberry remains a favourite.

Highly recommended! This delightful cottage is for anyone looking for a "hidden treasure" getaway. The whole weekend was wonderful, from the thoughtful and environmentally friendly bathroom products, to the picturesque outlook from the balcony, and the most warm and welcoming hospitality. Thank you to the Baker's for making our anniversary weekend so amazing!

We were camping nearby at Glenpatrick with friends, went for a tasting to Wimmera Hills. Jane and Ben were very welcoming and generous in their tastings, included a free cheese and fruit platter, flat bread freshly made. Of note is the use of local produce in their offerings. Well worth a visit and I highly recommend a tasting.

My partner and I spent a restorative two nights at this lovely winery nestled in hills of the Victorian pyrenees. Jane and Ben made us feel very welcome and comfortable. The location was beautiful and well-positioned for exploring the local country. Highly recommend ! We will be back in the summer !

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!

Home of the Stawell Gift and the Stawell Redlegs. History abounds in Stawell and the Town oval is no exception. Well worth a visit at Easter or any winter Saturday.

Australia day celebration and citizenship ceremony. Extremely well located and organised by northern Grampians council. Well done team

A must to see if you go to Stawell. Loads of history and just a nice place to have a walk around.

Real sense of history here.

We ate lunch here, lovely clean place. Plenty of room for children to run around.

Lovely spot on a warm day. The old grandstand is a great place to stay in the shade and catch a breeze. The kids loved running the Stawell gift. The rose garden is beautifully kept.

Clean, well organised, very fond of children

Site states it is open from 9 AM. Drove 100 km to see this, only to be told they are not open every day. Told them they need to update their computer advice, and was told they are not on the computer. Apparently this site doesn't exist. Woman was rude and unhelpful.

Very welcoming friendly service,egg gallery amazing

Beautiful eggs in a beautiful, humble town. I love Beaufort and I love this gallery

a very entertaining experience, many lols had

egg craft

Tour guide was great and relatable. Very knowledgeable about the history or the asylum and has been a guide for 6 years. The tour was maybe a little long- the last hour could have been compacted into being a 5 hour tour. Not particularly scary in my opinion. Many gadgets to detect paranormal activity were supplied. The tour guide made the night more enjoyable that’s for sure.

I went on the 8pm Friday night tour of the Ararat Lunatic Asylum with my sister and a friend while we were in the Grampians. This was a two hour tour, and I would say there was probably about 20 people on the tour with us, with a maximum of 30 people allowed. I have to say that I think 30 people would be too much for this tour, so I was glad that we weren’t at capacity. If this tour was kept at say 15 people, people could ask more questions and it would actually be a little bit more creepier. We knew that there could be up to 30 people so it’s not a criticism of what is advertised, just an observation. Michelle was our guide, and she was very dramatic and theatrical, and set the scene quite well. Michelle was very knowledgeable about the asylum and there was a lot of interesting information that she told us as we went through the different buildings. She’s very well prepared and extremely engaging. This is not a huge point, but given the horrible things done to some of the people in their asylum, perhaps a little bit more sensitivity around some of the stories would have been good, particularly around suicide. Michelle did acknowledge the use of language around mental illness that is not appropriate these days. However, I would have liked to have found out some more stories about some of more individual patients to give a little bit more context to some of the stories As this is pitched as a ghost tour, be prepared for some theatrics with the storytelling. I did, however, get a very eerie feeling when I walked into the asylum, this was a place with some really horrific things happened. In many ways, this is actually very sad tour when you think about the terrible things that people are capable of doing to others. Be prepared for quite a few stairs, and a small walk down a gentle hill to the morgue. The tour is often in the dark, to add to the atmosphere. Some of the people on the tool asked to carry lamps, with one lady asked to be the last person to make sure everyone stayed together. I did find myself using my camera phone in some places, especially when going down and up stairs. There are obviously sensor lights and lighting around the place as well, but it’s dimly lit to add to the atmosphere. Being very old and in disrepair, there is a strong musty smell, and I will admit that I did find many elements of the tour creepy, and did hear some noises that I think were unexplained. My sister also captured a photo that perhaps has an unexplained figure in it. I think I also took a photo with an unexplained element (window in the dance hall). There is definitely a very creepy feel to the place, and the energy does reflect the dark history of the place. If you’re going on the ghost tour, you need to park in a small car park, so I would recommend getting there a little bit more than 15 minutes earlier than recommended. I would not recommend the tour for anyone who is mobility restricted due to the stairs, and there are no chances to sit down during the tour for those people who might need this. Directions to the car park could probably be a little bit clearer on the website, and there could be better lighting in the car park as well. The asylum itself is very musty, so be prepared for that as well. I would recommend this as a fun night out, and some genuine creepiness as an added bonus. I would also really be interested in the day tour with a bit more focus on the history and to see the building from a different perspective during the day.

Aradale has been on my bucket list for many years, Saturday night I finally got to experience this. After the long trip up from SA we entered our 6 hour tour and boy it was worth it. Our tour guide Jasmine was unbelievable in so many ways, her passion, love and dedication was incredible. I learnt so much and experienced something so new. I absolutely loved every moment of our tour

Went on the weekend and did the 4 hour tour. Alice was our guide and she was amazing! Can't fault her delivery or her knowledge. She really made the tour. The tour itself was incredible, access to so many amazing parts and rooms. Highlight was being locked in the chillers in the morgue! Would definitly do the tour again and looking to do the 6 hour investigation next time! Thank you so much for an amazing night

Aradale has a long, dark history, a by product of the time it was built and how mental health was managed. The building has a heaviness and sadness about it. Tour is very informative and well organised. We are going again to book the paranormal tour. Highly recommend the experience

Our group was to large, unfortunately. The atmosphere was great overall. Personally, I'd rather come during the day to take in more of what the history has to offer and actually see the building.

I had the absolute best experience on the 6hr ghost investigation at Aradale. The setting itself is already chilling and full of atmosphere, but what made the night truly unforgettable was our incredible guide, Jasmine. Jasmine struck the perfect balance between knowledgeable historian and paranormal investigator. The investigation itself was fascinating. We had moments of genuine chills, strange unexplained activity, and plenty of chances to explore. If you’re curious about the paranormal or just want an unforgettable night out, I can’t recommend this tour enough. Aradale is already incredible, but with Jasmine leading the way, it’s truly next level.

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!

Totally surprised. Unsure if we wanted to visit with my son's family. Took the risk - it was amazing. Much, much bigger than you would think. Amazing animals and habitats. Our grandchildren were captivated. A fantastic attraction - under rated and unknown?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Incredible Experience at Halls Gap Zoo From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by how beautiful and welcoming this zoo is. A special shoutout to the lovely young lady at the front desk her warm smile and wonderful help set the tone for the day. The girl working in the food van was absolutely incredible friendly, efficient, and so lovely to chat with. And to the amazing keepers who guided us through the most unforgettable Rhino experience wow! Their knowledge, passion, and care for these magnificent animals made it truly magical. Getting up close and learning about the rhinos was something we’ll never forget. Halls Gap Zoo is a credit to everyone who works there. It’s not just a zoo, it’s an experience full of heart, beauty, and incredible people. Highly recommend to everyone! 🦏✨monique and Nathan

A real surprise. Was not expecting a zoo this incredible in this location. Great layout, and plenty of free range animals to get close to. The deer were hilarious and friendly. Get a few feed bags for the walk through the zoo. Also has a great playground inside.

A great little zoo with a relaxed vibe and plenty to see. Grabbed a food bag each at the entrance and had a blast feeding the friendly deer; it definitely added to the experience. The meerkats were hilarious, constantly popping up and checking us out like tine security guards. Paths are easy to follow which helped when a deer ate my map! We saw a good mix of native and exotic animals and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Halls Gap Zoo is definitely worth a visit if you're in the Grampians area.

Fantastic Zoo! We spent a solid 2–3 hours exploring the winding paths, each lined with enclosures featuring a great mix of wildlife—local favourites and international species, from tiny marsupials, monkeys🐒 or reptiles to towering Giraffe's 🦒 The entry fee might feel a bit high at first, but once you see the scale and care involved (rhinos and giraffes aren’t exactly cheap), it’s easy to understand why. Friendly deer and peacocks roam freely and are happy to be hand-fed with feed bags available for purchase. It’s a well-kept, thoughtfully laid-out zoo that makes for a great half-day outing. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

I didn’t plan on visiting the zoo whilst visiting the Grampians/Halls Gap, however I couldn’t help myself after reading the reviews. It is absolutely amazing there! The animals appear to be well looked after and loved, they all have more than suitable enclosures and then you’ve got the free roaming animals which makes it feel so different to most zoos. I would definitely make another trip here just to go to this zoo, hopefully next time I plan ahead and can try out the animal experiences. Not as many animals as mainstream zoos, however the circuit walk, being able to hand feed and get up close & personal with the roaming animals, and the fact that the animals in enclosures there seem genuinely happy makes up for that factor. Be mindful of the deer ambushing you for the feed though! 😂

Friendly and informative staff, large range of animals (rhinos and giraffes were the kids favourites). Clean and good layout to follow around. Enjoyable morning with the family.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Despite the name, One Tree Hill actually has plenty of trees! 🌳 The lookout gives you amazing sweeping views over the Ararat countryside — perfect for a quick stop to stretch your legs or snap a photo. Easy to get to, not time-consuming, and well worth pulling over for if you’re passing through town. A simple little gem with views that surprise you. 🌄

It’s sits high on top of the hill With all most 360 deg views of the hold area ( apart for some trees ) Platform has brass direction marked naming mountain or towns + distension

The location offers a remarkable and tranquil experience, providing an amazing view of a lush, green landscape. The environment is exceptionally peaceful.

Good area to see the view of the Grampians one way, and Ararat in another direction. There is a tower there with some seats in it. Small car park. Good drive up to the lookout to see the view.

Great view that you can drive right up to, multiple bins so don't leave your rubbish lying around like the grubs before us!

This place is well worth the little detour if you're passing through Ararat. The lookout gives a breathtaking view of the town of Ararat and The Grampians. It can get a little bit windy up the hill.

Stunning panoramic views of the town of Ararat, the surrounding Wimmera Plains, and even glimpses of the Grampians National Park in the distance. Easily accessible by car, with parking available at the summit.

Fascinating tour and gives a great historical context on how we used to deal with incarceration and mental health. Whilst there are some differing views on how we deal with these things now, there were clearly some people that were at different ends of the offending spectrum. Special mention to our guide Alan who was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and clearly has a passion for telling the story of this place.

Fantastic tour, our guide Rick was very knowledgeable of the history and told some great stories. Highly recommend the tour.

Great experience. Guides are very well versed in their local history and stories. Don't rush it though. You will need probably 2-3 hours to d tour to Aradale which nearby but a different location.

My sister, friend and I went on this tour while we were in the Grampians. We actually did this as a spur of the moment decision, as we were booked into a ghost tour at the Aradale asylum that night. We decided to do the J Ward tour as we saw that this tour offered a lot of things that are not offered at the asylum. Obviously, they are two completely different places, but I would really highly recommend the J Ward as a place where you get an amazing historical understanding of the treatment of people with mental illnesses up until unfortunately the 1990s. We were very lucky to have Graham as our tour guide - he was amazing! He had great stories, a brilliant understanding of the history and you can tell that he is passionate about the prison. We were lucky also to be part of a very small group, a total of seven people including us. This tour is highly recommended, completely run by volunteers but really well preserved. This place has a fascinating history, and was a really great two hours spent. You can also book time to do research if you are interested, but this is only available on certain days, however if you’re a history buff, it certainly would be a great place to find out a bit more about the dark history of this hospital.

J Ward in Ararat is a really interesting place. Yes, well recommended for a visit. Take the tour - it is definitely worth it. The outside façade and internal walls of original blue stone is stunning. The whole premises is very well restored and maintained as a historic site and museum. A lot of effort is taken to preserve the originality. We have visited before (many years back) and will add it to the list for future trips. It has a history interwoven with Aradale mental asylum, on the other side of Ararat. You could add that as a tour to your itinerary as well. The Staff are all volunteers, and were really great - Thank you. A visit is well recommended!

This ghost tour was the best!!!! We got to use paranormal equipment which was so much fun and I also captured an orb when we were in the kitchen area! The guide was also very interesting and informative, this tour is a must if you are in Ararat! 👻

We planned out trip to Ararat especially so we could do the J Ward tour - Pat was a wonderful tour guide - we really enjoyed the small group, and having the time to walk through the spaces. The tour was very informative and interesting. Well worth the visit.

We unfortunately didn’t have a lot of time to explore the museum as we got there 15 minutes before closing (and the staff were kind enough to even let us stay a bit longer!). This is a great museum which tells a very interesting story. A major plus, is that it caters for all ages. I would definitely recommend visiting.

Great little museum to learn some Chinese history Recommend time 40min-90min depends on you. Little gifts shop with very reasonable price Car park opposite the road Also can have a look at the roof design $14 for adult entry.

This is a must visit for anyone visiting Ararat or maybe just passing through between Melbourne and Adelaide. The volunteer team of born and bred Ararat white people who have gone to the trouble to research and preserve the early Chinese gold mining history is amazing. The roof of the centre is made with tiles made in China and assembled by Chinese tradesmen who came over to do it authentically. It's a must visit, huge respect to the volunteers who created and maintain this place with no government support. They self fund through tourists visits paying for entry which is well worth it. Without them, the history would be forgotten.

Gum San has some amazing history that many interested in prospecting have heard stories about 👌 But this museum has much more to offer for families & tourists looking for a different perspective of the early Victorian colonial era ! Several interactive displays & guided educational activities 👌

A fascinating insight into the history of Ararat which was effectively built on the back of Chinese gold mining. The price of admission is very cheap, and the ladies who greet you are very knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. So many historical artefacts and pictures to see and interact with. There is also a gift shop on the premises. Highly recommend.

Great little gift shop, lovely volunteers that know their stuff, you can ask them anything. Need a good couple of hours to look around the museum.

We visited here yesterday. Such a wonderful and informative place to learn about the Chinese influence during the Victorian goldrush. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Thanks for a great experience.

I regret to hear that my three days stay at Hall's Gap did not meet my comfort expectations. Incompetent & arrogant is the only way I could describe the staff. Front desk guys were worst & indifferent. They never returned my calls; definitely a lack of professionalism. Misleading Information was the key factor. On the website it specifies "warm salt water" but instead we ended up with a freezing cold swimming pool, mind you this was on day two of our stay. On the first day the pool was completely locked up! My experience at the lodge was not positive therefore I won't be recommending this place.

Great location. Units had everything needed. Kitchenette, TV, basic crockery. Barely any hot water very intermittent, no cold tap required. Main bed extremely hard. Very worn towels. Staff friendly. Couldn't keep room warm as need fob in the slot, so when going for dinner heater was off. Car park close but when raining there were massive puddles around so made it difficult to get into car. Very convenient if need to be close to main street. Cafes close by.

Avoid this motel. It is dirty and run down. Our room was dirty on arrival, so we used the dirty pool while we waited for our room to be cleaned. When we entered the newly cleaned room, it smelt of body odour, the bathroom smelt of urine, the pillowcases had not been changed, the bedcovers/ doonas had not been washed for a long time, the heater for the second room was broken, and under the bed was filthy. The toilet at the pool was disgusting. The reception is mainly closed, as the person in charge is away working in the nearby cafe. The whole place needs a lot of money spent on it and maybe employ a few more people. The manager is totally out of his depth and not coping.

I stayed here with my 2 brothers and my mum, firstly when i was in the pool it was super murky and filled with particles,and smelled like cigarettes, also it gave one of my brotehrs a terrible rash on his foot , it also gave me a super dry throat and made my cough worse. Secondly the receptionist was awfull and rude when my mum was paying he crossed his fingers like it wasn’t going to work?! And he took 20-25 minutes to come and wasnt good with his phone or what he was using cause he didnt awnser,and i want to say the room was disappointing the heater was noisy and hardly worked and the table was broken the top wood was able to lift up,and the shower when i turned the knob not even alot for cold it went freezing and when. I turned hot A little bit and it was boiling and moldy where u put the soap, and i was scared to see my brothers electric blanket on his bed looked like it was gonna catch fire ,and the sheets was so dirty lucky i brang my own blankets

Be careful. I surfed the internet for accomodation in Halls Gap but, because it was cup weekend, options were limited. I came back to Pinnacle Holiday Lodge advertised through Agoda. First look I noticed the FREE CANCELLATION, this was important because were were towing a van to Horsham for our son to borrow and it was hard to confirm arrangements when you are dealing with your kids... things are subject to change ! Two days after booking my son confirmed Ellis's crossing, which is closer to Dimboola, I have a cousin in Dimboola so I cancelled the booking on line. Next morning I received confirmation of cancellation which said No Refund applied to the booking. I paided $285 on my VISA, I cancelled 48 hrs after booking and 3 days before the booking date. A % booking fee would be reasonable but to keep the $285 not so much. I rang Pinnacle who said I needed to ring Agoda. Agoda would refund but Pinnacle needed to approve the refund. Agoda said they were ringing and emailing Pinnacle to approve, Pinnacle said they were not receiving calls or emails from Agoda. Pinnacle were saying they would do every thing they could to help but failed to call or email Agoda on the addresses I sent through. After 2 days of calls back and forth Pinnacle said they were very busy ...to busy to make a call or send off an email.... not so willing to help after all! Finally it was sorted on Saturday, 3 days after cancellation. It seems that when I came back to Pinnacle Holiday Lodge on Agoda's page I clicked on a cheaper price and the condition on that cheaper price was no refund. As the FREE CANCELLATION was obvious in my initial search, the No Refund was in fine print and not clear. I'm sure I'm not the first to get caught and I wont be the last. So be careful. Pinnacle said to call them direct in future, after this example of their customer service .... I dont think so!

Location is great however that is only positive with this dirty, shabby, uncared for accommodation. Need to wash dishes used, which is fine, if there was a plug, dishcloth and tea towels provided. Bathrooms mouldy in the 4 rooms i booked, towels thin, fraying and past use by date. Toaster rusted with dirt and fluff onbread when it popped up 😬😬flickering lights, toilet didn’t flush and would have checked out but had paid in full and given attitude of owner didn’t think i would get refund. Pictures on website are so outdated i cant even imagine it ever looked like this. So disappointing and I feel so ripped off as there were many other nice places in area. No love or care given to this place - avoid

We stayed here for two nights. The kitchenette is fairly lacking in amenities (only electric frypan, no pots, chopping board, or kitchen knife. There was a bread knife but nowhere to slice your bread apart from the sink). Kitchen sponge was old as hell and quite gross. Yes, that’s what we started with when we checked in. Hairdryer in the room doesn’t work. All of the sinks need to have their taps closed super tightly or they’ll drip through the night. The pillows are pretty thin and uncomfortable too. Had to fold it to get to sleep. I can accept an old bedroom for the price range but there are many things in the room lacking in maintenance. Pretty sure you can get a better price in the area. Only good thing is the location and price for a larger room.

Dropped by here in the late afternoon. Not sure whether it wasn't opened or already closed for the day. Anyway it was worth coming and exploring the outside of the Centre.

We were lucky to have weather that was lovely, although it was a bit cool and fresh, the sun was shining. A nice fresh winter's day. The kangaroos lazying in the sun, few Emu, and a kookaburra. Its a place I will return to for more adventures, during the summertime.

All the information you need. The cafe is nice as well.There a couple of nice,easy walks

information center open, but cultural center/museum closed due to water damage(?). cafe was also closed. information center sells a number of nice and interesting souvenirs and local products. worth checking out, but probably only indeed the cultural center is open. walking through to a large grass patch after the cultural center found us a number of emus and a few kangaroos!

Cultural centre is closed. Info centre Cafe hasn't opened for years. Small giftshop. That's about it. Wetland walk is terrible and land is screaming out for Management. Wood, leaves and branches everywhere. Really disappointing as it used to be the highlight of the Grampians.

A must see/do experience whilst visiting the Grampians. The film is very entertaining with the history of the area, from many perspectives. The cafe & gift shop are a delight. Try the Lemon Myrtle Scones with a coffee.... unreal, delicious. A memorable experience.

I remember when this was being built and although it still looks good, some of the displays are getting tired, although the information is still good. Located just outside of Halls Gap you can walk or ride along well made paths. Inside is a small cafe where you can dine on fresh food and refreshments. Outside are some excellent interpretation boards that give a history of the area and the life prior to white settlement. The retail shop is extensive with lots of interesting items. There is plenty of parking under the shaded gums. The place is wheelchair friendly and in fact you can motor on your wheelchair from town to the centre. Very kid friendly with lots for the little ones to do. I would say you could spend at s minimum and hour here. There are tours available as well. Enjoy.

★★★★★ Absolutely amazing spot! Reeds Lookout offers one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen, breathtaking views over the mountains and valleys that light up in golden and pink tones as the sun goes down. It’s peaceful, stunning, and the perfect place to pause and take it all in. A must-visit if you’re anywhere near the Grampians.

Such a wonder!! I felt so close to nature and could see almost every colour in sky. A must visit place when you visit Grampians. Easy drive. Good parking space. One thing to keep in mind is the sky needs to be completely clear. If cloudy then you will miss the real beauty.

If you are looking for a great viewpoint at Grampians, this is a good option as it is very close to the car parking. You don't need to walk far to soak in the views. The car parking is for free as well! The views are magnificent, can highly recommend.

If you take the time to wait here for a sunset, it will undoubtedly become one of the most magical moments of your trip. Watching the sun gradually descend along the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, makes every effort to get here feel completely worthwhile. The parking is extremely convenient, making the spot ideal for families, seniors, and children alike — even wheelchairs and strollers are thoughtfully accommodated. The combination of breathtaking views, ease of access, and family-friendly facilities makes this place an experience I would wholeheartedly recommend to all my friends!

Any place you can drive all the way to see the view without needing to get out of the car is good. However it's a bonus if you do get out... Fantastic views when we visited, even with rain showers in the area Two excellent view points that are well fenced off.

Good spot for easy viewing of the beautiful country I feel so lucky to call home. I use a cane and can't do a lot of the paths but I was able to manage this with my cane and the railings. Not really recommended for wheelchairs, unless you've got sick off road wheels 😊 Fun fact: some of the paths around the Grampians are not the best because they were made by unqualified people back in the 1930s when there was a lack of work, so they made jobs for people to make paths to get to hard but beautiful spots in the Grampians. Go Australia 🦘

Visited this Lookout on a Public Holiday. Reeds Lookout offers some of the most spectacular views in the Grampians National Park. From here, you can look the magnificent surrounding landscapes, including cliffs and green lush valleys. Not only are the views amazing, but the lookout is also incredibly accessible. Its just a short 1 min walk from the parking lot, making it easy for visitors of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy. It’s perfect for photos – the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking, and you’ll definitely want to capture every bit of it. Best of all, it’s easy to find, and there’s plenty of parking nearby. Highly recommend this spot for anyone visiting the Grampians! 📸🌄

A fantastic hike on well marked trails. It's pretty steep, but there are plenty of places to rest and the views kick in early and are spectacular. The second half (after the main ascent) is an open ridge walk and there is no shade, so I'd avoid really hit weather and take plenty of water. Parking is plentiful and trail access is right by the main road.

Beautiful trail for a hike. Return 6.6km, with incline of almost 500m in total. Rocky surface but mostly easy. Lots of colourful flowers on the way, with lemon scented gum trees along the way. The views of the mountains are spectacular, especially at the top

The hike is just 7 km return with 450 ascent meters with lots of steps on a well maintained path. It's not an easy hike though, you need to be reasonably fit. Views from the summit are 360 degrees and quite spectacular. Southwest of Mount Abrupt there is a small lake that's really nice and refreshing for a swim. The lake is accessible by driving about 3 km south ((towards Dunkeld) from the start of the hike and then turn right to The Piccaninny, drive past the town water reservoir, follow the unsealed road till the end, through the open gate. You can now see the dam, continue driving past the dam until the very end where there is a little sandy 'beach' for ease of access.

A great walk for fit walkers with a great view as a reward

One of the best hikes in the Grampians! Starting from the main Grampians road, the views begin about halfway up so you don't even need to make the summit to be rewarded with some stunning landscapes. The views to the north are the best with Signal Peak dominating the skyline. Great as a sunrise hike. But gets very cold and windy at the top so be prepared.

One of the better hikes I’ve done. Would 100% do it again. As per other reviews, it is a challenging hike to the top but very much worth it with the panoramic views on offer. It takes about 60 mins each way (so 2 hours in total) if you’re reasonably fit, but you’ll need plenty of water and you’ll get a nice legs and glutes workout! However anyone can do it if you take your time. There is a clear path to the top as well. The parking for the start of the hike is on Grampians Road, just slightly north east of the summit as shown on google maps. You will see a sign for the parking anyway. It’s windy at the top so make sure you bring a jacket to block out the wind and cold if you’re staying up there for a bit to enjoy the views and have some food / water.

One of the best hikes I've done. Walk time if you have moderate fitness is 2.5 hours up and 2 hours back. You will walk over 3 or more false peaks before getting to the peak of Mount Abrupt. It's the one with the geological survey marker at the top. Once you see that you know you are near. You walk through bush area, forest area and a stone/rock area. Make sure to stock up at Halls Gap or Dunkeld with water, snacks and loo break before commencing. Plenty of views and photo opportunities. It was drizzling when I started the walk but by half way up it was clear and the drizzle helped cool me off so don't let the weather deter you from walking it. Would recommend and definitely will do again. There is no chairs or rest areas. Some parts are steep but have steps built in to help.

Good spot to walk the dogs on leash if visiting Dunkeld. It has multiple wooden bridges to walk across the pond, kangaroos and ducks. Only removing a star because it's not really a collection of the world's trees as promised - that claim is a bit far fetched. Lovely place nonetheless and worth the visit especially if you need a place to walk the dog!

A little underwelming. I wouldnt call it botanical gardens, more a park. But nice all the same. Worth a stroll.

Good place to visit. Finding parking lot might be a little tricky. Very easy walk and just big plain field for you to explore. There's a couple of historical stuff that you can check while you're there. Worth a drop by.

Lovely walk around the lake. Plenty of birds and kangaroos. Lots of big old trees. I would have appreciated if the gum trees were identified also.

Lovely for a walk some of the trees were flowering, so was a great time to go. Very peaceful.

What a little hidden gem. This place is best explored by foot. Beautiful trees, wildlife and backdrop of Mount Sturgeon. I would love to see this place in spring

Great little spot for a walk. Water is very low though. Unfortunately.

unfortunately it was closed when I passed by. Really like the signs and rocks outside that give an informative view on volcano’s. Though it was closed, it was worth the stop!

The centre and presentation from volunteer staff was very informative and interesting to both the young and old of our group.

Was very nice drive worth going for drive 😀 be going again

Recommend coming here to learn about volcanoes. Definitely deepened my understanding and can see bluestone everywhere I look now. Was interesting to learn about why there are volcanoes in this area. Outside display also offers information if centre is closed. Volunteers were very friendly, thank-you

Normal visit .. not worth the ticket price ! Good hospitality. In maintenance now !

This region is famous for its ancient volcanoes, and you can experience the present, from the videos played in this venue, and the past, plenty of artifacts are on the display, that are millions of years old. While in this area you may wish to drive to visit Mount Rouse, which actually is inactive volcano!!

My mum recommended I visit here on my way back from Hamilton. I had some time to fill in so I agreed (and it was next to the public toilets). I loved it! The volunteer was so helpful and I found the information, displays and interaction fabulous. I've recommended it to many people since. Well done :)

A nice lake surrounded by hills. There is toilets, a BBQ area under shelter, tables, and a playground. A decent Boat ramp and short jetty...water has blue-green algae in it so not good for swimming. Great views of the lake from the top of the hills.

Great spot for a picnic, swim, quiet relaxing sit and watch the water. Great facilities and well maintained.

Beautiful volcanic lake. Great for fishing and watersports

Good place for a day trip with family. Nice fishing on boat & jet skiing.

You can fish, ski, swim, relax on the side or even cook up a feast and have a picnic. Great spot

Campground and facilities very well maintained. Extensive grassed area for camping. New boat ramp and dock very user friendly. Weather during our visit not so friendly, but that said, an enjoyable place.

Good facilities. Lake was closed due to Blue Green algae

Beautiful gardens, could have so many uses

Nice park for a picnic lunch

Nice park

Nice place, which opens until pretty late for Aussie. Worth driving out of Port Campbell for. Place was quite lively even at 7.30pm. If you wish, you can also come earlier for the Pick Your Own strawberries. Was given a sample during dinner and it was delightful! The Thai dishes they served were quite authentic, definitely better than those which u find in the city. Came as 2 adults and 1 toddler. Thumbs up!

5 stars is not enough! 🌟 Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, but the crispy pork fried was the highlight. Worth the drive, especially if you’re staying in Port Campbell and craving Asian cuisine. My partner and daughter loved every bite, and the warm, welcoming service made us feel so special. Special thanks to the lovely Filipina staff who recommended the best dishes—and they even surprised my partner with a cake and candle! Truly a hidden gem; we’ll definitely be back and will definitely recommend this place to friends and family visiting the 12 Apostles!

Stumbled upon this charming Thai spot on our Great Ocean Road drive—perfect for rice-craving Filipino tourists like us! Flavorful, spicy dishes (a bit sweet for some), and a great ambiance. Wish we had more time for strawberry picking!

The food was awesome at this tucked away beautiful restaurant. The menu had a huge range of choices and the staff were very friendly. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a chill dinner visit.

Delicious Thai food, served with genuine country hospitality — starting with the warm welcome from Heather. The flavours were fresh, authentic, and beautifully presented. We’ll gladly come back next time we’re in town!

My wife (who is Thai) and I visited this restaurant not knowing what to expect. I must admit we were pleasantly surprised. According to my wife the food is the most authentic Thai food she has eaten in Australia so far. Certainly worth the drive to Timboon while travelling along the Great Ocean Road.

Great Thai food in Australia. Would be better if the dishes are made less sweet. The fried rice does have the wok hey, the crispy pork is really crispy. They cooked and served all dishes per table. Great and friendly host!