100 Things To Do in Greater Hamilton

There is so much choice when it comes to things to do in Greater Hamilton.  The region is abundant in artistry, flooded with fishing prospects, teeming with treks, humming with history, loaded with lush produce and so much more.

With so much choice, where do you start?  We’ve narrowed it down for you and devised a definitive checklist of 100 things to do in Greater Hamilton.

Balmoral

1. Snag a Rocklands Reddie by casting a line in at Rocklands Reservoir
2. Take in some abstract expressionism by viewing the critically-acclaimed Balmoral Mural
3. Stand-up paddleboard your way around the Rocklands Reservoir
4. Walk along the dam wall at Rocklands Reservoir
5. Play a game of twilight golf at the Balmoral Golf Club
6. Hike through Redgum country by following the renowned Redgum Walk
7. See the Aboriginal rock art at Black Range State Park
8. Camp at one of the six free designated campsites at Rocklands Reservoir
9. See a rare albino fox, preserved and housed in the Western Hotel (no walk-ins, call and book prior to visiting)
10. Breathe in the serenity and tranquillity of the Glenelg River on the Wetlands and River Walk

Branxholme

11. Locate the historic gravestone of a soldier of the Boer war, Private C. McKinnon (1879-1901) at the Branxholme Cemetery
12. Learn about the early settlers of the region by visiting The Heritage Park where a timeline of the town and a pioneers wall is situated
13. Have a game of darts and a frothy at the Junction Hotel 
14. See the iconic heritage listed water tower

Byaduk

15. Add a splash of vintage to your wardrobe at Vintage Vision
16. Visit one of only three sites in the world to have tumuli (lava blisters)
17. Find yourself a vintage treasure at the Byaduk General Store
18. Walk the track along a cave’s edge at the Byaduk Caves
19. 4WD Mount Napier
20. Walk down the Avenue of Honour; a picturesque pathway planted with 40 silky oak trees to commemorate the men who served in World War One

Cavendish

23. Dine on delectable dishes at the Bunyip Hotel (be sure to call ahead to book)
24. Buy and devour Bridge Cafe’s famed and sensational sausage roll
25. Picnic on the banks of the Wannon River
26. Snap a sensational shot of the Trestle Bridge
27. Fossick for a gem at the designated fossicking site on Hallams Road
28. Bear witness to how punishment was once delivered at the Old Bluestone Goal (located on the Settlers Walk)
29. Snag a Red Fin from the Wannon River
30. Clamber up the unique rock stacks on the Chimney Pots Hike in the Grampians National Park

Coleraine

29. Have a game of cricket on the grounds of the second oldest continuously playing cricket club in the world
30. Decide which cream-filled chocolate delight is your favourite at the Glenelg Fine Chocolates
31. Coffee at The Catching Pen
32. Breathe in the magnificent eucalypts at the Peter Francis Points Arboretum where there are over 500 species of eucalypt genus
33. Hit the decks at the Skate Park
34. Dive in at the Swimming Pool (open seasonally)
35. Get splashed by the sprays Wannon Falls
36. Get caught up in all the action of race day at the Coleraine Races (covid pending)
37. Sit at the base of Nigretta Falls
38. Appreciate the local artwork and tales of yesteryear on the side of Australia Post Building and Op Shop
39. Take advantage of the lake views and picnic facilities at the Coleraine Tourist Centre
40. Canoe out and hook a Rainbow Trout at Konongwootong Reservoir
41. Shop up a storm at Saly Lodge Interiors
42. Order a Pot and Parma to go at the Coleraine Hotel
43. Sip a sturdy stout at the National Hotel (bookings essential)
44. Enter yourself and a team into the Australian Pedal Car Grand Prix (enter for 2022)

Dunkeld

45. Devour a loaf of artisan bread from the Dunkeld Old Bakery
46. Secure bragging rights to climbing Mount Abrupt
47. Experience a 2 chef’s hat dining experience at the Royal Mail Hotel
48. Wind your way around the Arboretum’s labyrinth
49. Spot a kangaroo at dusk on the Dunkeld School Oval
50. Take in the stunning view of Mount Sturgeon across the Arboretum’s lake
51. Feed yourself on the famed ‘Feed Me’ menu of the Parker Street Project
52. Visit the showroom of furniture maker, Gerard Murphy who meticulously handcrafts unique, sustainably-harvested, Australian-timber furniture
53. Comb through the extensive and fascinating historic collections of the Dunkeld Museum
54. Immerse yourself in yoga, nutritious food, nature and beauty at Griffins Hill Yoga Retreat
55. Go for a scenic drive on the Mirranatwa Loop Drive; a 45-minute drive circuit through Victoria Valley
56. Sip on a latte at Koopmans
57. Climb to the summit of the Mount Piccaninny
58. Hike to Mount Sturgeon’s peak and get a bird’s eye view of Dunkeld
59. Get your winter woollies at woollen specialists, Only Ewe
60. Get a little gourmet and stock up on local goodies at the General Store; purveyors of local wines and produce
61. Play golf at the base of Mount Abrupt at the Grampians Golf Club
62. Bite into a slice of your favourite pizza, chosen off Izzy’s Cafe comprehensive pizza menu
63. Visually explore Ros McArthur Art Studio
64. Physically explore the Dunkeld Heritage Trail Walk

Glenthompson

65. Admire Gareth Colliton’s one-of-kind, distinctly country-Australian mural at the Anglican Church
66. View the southern range of the Grampians in its entirety at Robson’s Lookout
67. Capture the gloriously vibrant yellow hues of the canola fields in Spring
68. Read fascinating written accounts of former Glenthompson residents at the History Centre (call ahead)
69. Let the kids run wild, swinging from the monkey bars and roaring down the slide at the Lions Park
70. See the turbines of the Oaklands Hill Wind Farm spin

Hamilton

71. Walk, jog, run or ride around Lake Hamilton
72. Take a ride on a small-scale replica train at the Hamilton Model Railway Museum (our passionate volunteers will re-open as soon as they can)
73. Celebrate the Hamilton Gallery’s journey over the past 60 years with a visit to their 60th Anniversary exhibition. The Gallery is set to re-open Friday 17th September 2021. 
74. Locate the laneway that local creatives lovingly art-scaped
75. Enjoy the mouth-watering Toscas Tacos at Tosca Browns
76. Share a cheese platter and a bottle of GT Gewurztraminer with friends at Bochara Wines
77. Play a round of golf at the oldest established club in Victoria to remain on the same site; Hamilton Golf Club
78. Toss in a coin and make a wish at the wishing well located in the Botanic Gardens
79. Play, learn and discover at the Lakes Edge Adventure Playground which offers 90 sensory elements.
80. Get active at the Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre; swim, racquetball, squash, table tennis and so much more on offer (The centre is looking to re-open as soon as possible)
81. Indulge in a Lindt hot chocolate at The Roxburgh
82. Catch the latest blockbuster at the Hamilton Cinema (density limits apply)
83. Walk into the world of the Eastern Barred Bandicoots at the Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning (HIRL) Bandicoot Enclosure; a fully-fenced, 100 hectares, grassy woodland developed for Bandicoot population regeneration
84. Find a treasure at Baimbridge
85. Take a book and leave a book at the little library house located in the Community Pocket Garden
86. Visit the birthplace of Ansett Transport Empire at Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum.  Keep up to date via their Facebook page for current opening times. 
87. Look to the skies and admire the spires of the Anglican Church and Presbyterian Church

Penshurst

88. Snap a selfie atop Mount Rouse
89. Work your way through the local wine menu at Penny Wine Lounge
90. Have an explosive time at the Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre
91. Browse through the stacks, shelves and piles of books for sale at Rurik’s Shed (open weekends)
92. Go bird spotting at Yatmerone Reserve where 30 bird species dwell
93. Picnic by the Never Fail Spring in the Penshurst Botanic Gardens

Tarrington

94. Raise a glass of sparkling Pinot Gris at Pierrepoint
95. Try a Henty Region biodynamic wine from Hochkirch (cellar door open by appointment only)
96. Hop on your bike and cycle around 10 kilometres of designated track, taking in the rich rural views
97. Savour the baked delights of Cafe Catalpa
98. Procure an antiquated treasure at Bloomfield Cottage Antiques (open weekends)
99. Take in the very unique sight of the Tarrington Shoe Tree
100. See the spectacular Lutheran Church light up at night