Well worth a visit. Great history and lovely staff. Check to see if the cafe is opened in advance. We got caught out as we were going to have lunch there and it was closed !

The museum is small in size and can be covered in around 60 mins. The talk from the tour guide was very informative and engaging. The museum has the full sized display of the Catalina, which is really worth seeing. Knowing the history behind the Catalina base gives a good perspective on the significance of Lake Boga.

Great museum with lots of artefacts (both aircraft parts and RAAF/WAAF memorabilia) and a restored Catalina. Also has the communications bunker set up as it would have been. Highlights the role of Lake Boga in the war effort. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Visit could take 60-90 minutes easily.

To tell the truth we didn't even know what an air boat was before we vosoted Lake Boga but we are glad we did. We were very presently surprised when we visited the museum. The lake itself is lovely and the outside of the museum is unassuming but once you enter you are transported to a world of interesting WW2 memorabilia, a communications bunker and an amazing real Catalina air boat in the massive shed that houses the museum. The museum staff are animated and interesting. They can really answer any question you might have and do so in an interesting way. Their info and enthusiasm towards the history of the area and Austalia's contribution to the war are contagious.

Must visit if you are in the area. I never knew the use of Lake Boga, unless I visited this museum. It also has a real bunker and a real full size airplane. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable.

Interesting historical location This base became highly significant during WW2 but if you want to know more you need to visit There is also a great piece of silo art close by

This was an amazing experience! Found information about my Dad and his war records. Shed a few tears. The Catalina Flying Boat information was outstanding! Never knew about this hidden piece of Australia's war history. The staff were so knowledgeable! Thank you ☺️

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

Brilliant. It was spectacular to see an old theatre with upgraded seating. A lovely place to see a movie. Charlton is a great place to come for a weekend and see a movie while your here. So do yourself a favour

Very friendly and welcoming. Seats were extremely comfortable. Shows latest movies. I wish we were staying over the weekend to see one of the live productions. Movie dialogue was hard to follow but that was maybe the movie being a UK spy thriller, Black Bag. Anyway, this theatre provides an essential service in regional Victoria and does it very well. If you're ever in Charlton when a show is on, do yourself a favour and check out this venue.

A trip into nostalgia. Very art deco interior, but with a typical country hospitality. Classic snacks are available, and the movies are always up to date. One sad point is that coffee is unavailable at the moment...still doesn't detract from the whole experience.

Worth the time to stop. Great lil retreat - good service.

Beautiful theatre, friendly and welcoming staff.

The Rex theatre is an Art Deco classic, charm and beauty abounds a wonderful venue to see a show or a movie.

Lovely well preserved building. Is an actual picture theatre, doesn't show all the movies out at the time but get 2 or 3 to play for the month. Also has stage show productions and bands playing regularly

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.

Lovely little park with big old shade trees with picnic tables.

Lovely park to sit and have lunch, picnic tables, play ground and a fenced pond with beautiful, healthy ducks and geese

A lovely stop to stretch your legs, take a break, and then take in the good idea to wander back to the "Information Centre" in the Towns entrance and find all the area's you may like to stop at before meandering further on to the next Township of "Donald"! Enjoy the serenity! 💧🌳 🧘‍♂️ 🔛

Had a wonderful day street art was amazing.

A pleasant place to kick back and relax with public amenities nearby especially when you're on a long road trip to the border. I'm also pleased to see no one has harmed the ducks that reside hear.

A nice park. We stop here on regular trips to use toilets and change driver. Room to pull over with trailer either side of road usually. Toilet block is clean and well lit.

Cool and refreshing stop on a hot central Victoria summer day to take a break from driving with nice green European trees to hidefrom the heat, a lake and clean toilets and none of those nasty dry natives that make you feel hotter. Opposite a lovely cafe/coffee shop in a historic building.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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.

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.

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!

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.

I usually don't leave bad reviews, but this was one of the worst and most upsetting experiences I have ever had whilst on holidays! The quad biking itself was fun but all was ruined for me by the owner/instructor Steve's downright nasty attitude. As a first time quad biker, I felt berated (strong word but warranted) every time I made a mistake. Every time I didn't brake hard enough, one time stopping over the designated stopping line and one time bumping (not smashing) into the person in front of me, and the two times when the bike got stuck in the mud, I felt nothing but intense frustration from him, instead of supportiveness, and was chastised, every time. Steve's behaviour may have been appropriate for reckless behaviour, but it was completely unwarranted for someone genuinely paying attention and doing every manoeuvre to the best of their ability, and even doing very well during the practices. We were just tourists and first time quad bikers wanting to have a fun time. All in all, his impatience, abrasiveness and bad-temper completely ruined what would have been a fun experience. Instead, it was one of the worst and frankly most upsetting experiences I have had in recent years. If you are considering joining them, I would recommend either catching him on a good day, or making no mistakes during your session.

My brother and I came here for a fun day out Steve was a perfect host and genuinely gave us his knowledge and experience It was genuinely the best day out we have had we arrived and was told we had book incorrectly but Steve still made room for us.

If you ever take a trip to Halls Gap or Grampians National Park, don't forget to visit this amazing waterfall. This was not in my list when we go there. I visited there on first week of July and the waterfall is just amazing. I thought to visit this after seeing a name board. So worth visiting. You need to take a short walk from car park and you will meet this amazing waterfall. The walk is moderately challenging as pathway may cover with small water ways. Despite that it was an easy walk. Will take around 15-30 mins. The surrounding was also so beautiful

This hiking trail is easily accessible from the car park and suitable for kids. The trail leads to a stunning waterfall located in a beautiful area. It's an ideal spot for a picnic lunch, exploring the surroundings, and continuing on with your travels. The trail is flat, without any hills to climb, and offers opportunities to spot various animals. It's especially worth visiting after heavy rainfall.

Lots of water flowing over falls...looks great! Easy undulating walk in is good.

Very easy walk for all levels of ability, relatively flat terrain. Interesting lack of running water in the rocky creek/river bed. The falls come into view and I guess depending on the rainfall will be how impressive the falls are on the day. Beautiful gully, easy walk, but if you're expecting Mc Kenzies Falls, your going to be disappointed. Still worth the photo opportunity

Visited during start of summer. Small waterfall tucked in nicely in the woods. Enjoyed the trail towards the waterfall. You can actually go very near to the waterfall. But I assume, things will be different during wet seasons. Loved the sound of the winds gushing the trees. If you are coming from Bellfield side, you have to drive past the waterfalls to reach the car park. Can be tricky, if you don’t realise because, of network connectivity issue. Better have offline maps beforehand. No toilets, ample parking spots. Trail is kids and seniors friendly. But prams might find it tricky. Include in your list if you have spare time.

Fairly easy walk; mostly flat. Can be muddy towards the end. A most unusual looking waterfall as the rock layers are very much horizontal all the way down the face.

Easy walk mostly flat ok for prams. Some areas are rocky but not a lot. Creek was dry when I went in Feb, but to my surprise I found the waterfall still flowing.

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;).