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
- Snag a Rocklands Reddie by casting a line in at Rocklands Reservoir
- Take in some abstract expressionism by viewing the critically-acclaimed Balmoral Mural
- Stand-up paddleboard your way around the Rocklands Reservoir
- Walk along the dam wall at Rocklands Reservoir
- Play a game of twilight golf at the Balmoral Golf Club
- Hike through Redgum country by following the renowned Redgum Walk
- See the Aboriginal rock art at Black Range State Park
- Camp at one of the six free designated campsites at Rocklands Reservoir
- See a rare albino fox, preserved and housed in the Western Hotel
- Breathe in the serenity and tranquillity of the Glenelg River on the Wetlands and River Walk
Branxholme
- Locate the historic gravestone of a soldier of the Boer war, Private C. McKinnon (1879-1901) at the Branxholme Cemetery
- 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
- Have a game of darts and a frothy at the Junction Hotel
- See the iconic heritage listed water tower
Byaduk
- Add a splash of vintage to your wardrobe at Vintage Vision
- Visit one of only three sites in the world to have tumuli (lava blisters)
- Find yourself a vintage treasure at the Byaduk General Store
- Walk the track along a cave’s edge at the Byaduk Caves
- 4WD Mount Napier
- 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
- Dine on delectable dishes at the Bunyip Hotel
- Buy and devour Bridge Cafe’s famed and sensational sausage roll
- Picnic on the banks of the Wannon River
- Snap a sensational shot of the Trestle Bridge
- Fossick for a gem at the designated fossicking site on Hallams Road
- Bear witness to how punishment was once delivered at the Old Bluestone Goal (located on the Settlers Walk)
- Snag a Red Fin from the Wannon River
- Clamber up the unique rock stacks on the Chimney Pots Hike in the Grampians National Park
Coleraine
- Have a game of cricket on the grounds of the second oldest continuously playing cricket club in the world
- Decide which cream-filled chocolate delight is your favourite at the Glenelg Fine Chocolates
- Coffee at The Catching Pen
- Breathe in the magnificent eucalypts at the Peter Francis Points Arboretum where there are over 500 species of eucalypt genus
- Hit the decks at the Skate Park
- Dive in at the Swimming Pool (open seasonally)
- Get splashed by the sprays Wannon Falls
- Get caught up in all the action of race day at the Coleraine Races
- Sit at the base of Nigretta Falls
- Appreciate the local artwork and tales of yesteryear on the side of Australia Post Building and Op Shop
- Get lost in the images of a bygone era at the Coleraine Tourist Centre
- Canoe out and hook a Rainbow Trout at Konongwootong Reservoir
- Shop up a storm at Saly Lodge Interiors
- Have a pale ale at the Coleraine Hotel
- Sip a sturdy stout at the National Hotel
- Enter yourself and a team into the Australian Pedal Car Grand Prix (covid pending)
Dunkeld
- Devour a loaf of artisan bread from the Dunkeld Old Bakery
- Secure bragging rights to climbing Mount Abrupt
- Experience a 2 chef’s hat dining experience at the Royal Mail Hotel
- Wind your way around the Arboretum’s labyrinth
- Spot a kangaroo at dusk on the Dunkeld School Oval
- Take in the stunning view of Mount Sturgeon across the Arboretum’s lake
- Feed yourself on the famed ‘Feed Me’ menu of the Parker Street Project
- Visit the showroom of furniture maker, Gerard Murphy who meticulously handcrafts unique, sustainably-harvested, Australian-timber furniture
- Comb through the extensive and fascinating historic collections of the Dunkeld Museum
- Immerse yourself in yoga, nutritious food, nature and beauty at Griffins Hill Yoga Retreat
- Go for a scenic drive on the Mirranatwa Loop Drive; a 45-minute drive circuit through Victoria Valley
- Sip on a latte at Koopmans
- Climb to the summit of the Mount Piccaninny
- Hike to Mount Sturgeon’s peak and get a bird’s eye view of Dunkeld
- Get your winter woollies at woollen specialists, Only Ewe
- Get a little gourmet and stock up on local goodies at the General Store; purveyors of local wines and produce
- Play golf at the base of Mount Abrupt at the Grampians Golf Club
- Bite into a slice of your favourite pizza, chosen off Izzy’s Cafe comprehensive pizza menu
- Visually explore Ros McArthur Art Studio
- Physically explore the Dunkeld Heritage Trail Walk
Glenthompson
- Admire Gareth Colliton’s one-of-kind, distinctly country-Australian mural at the Anglican Church
- View the southern range of the Grampians in its entirety at Robson’s Lookout
- Capture the gloriously vibrant yellow hues of the canola fields in Spring
- Read fascinating written accounts of former Glenthompson residents at the Glenthompson History Centre
- Let the kids run wild, swinging from the monkey bars and roaring down the slide at the Lions Park
- See the turbines of the Oaklands Hill Wind Farm spin
Hamilton
- Walk, jog, run or ride around Lake Hamilton
- Take a ride on a small-scale replica train at the Hamilton Model Railway Museum
- Celebrate the Hamilton Gallery’s journey over the past 60 years with a visit to their 60th Anniversary exhibition, opening 27th August. (Note: Hamilton Gallery is temporarily closed)
- Locate the laneway that local creatives lovingly art-scaped
- Indulge in a decadent donut slider at Tosca Brown
- Share a cheese platter and a bottle of GT Gewurztraminer with friends at Bochara Wine
- Play a round of golf at the oldest established club in Victoria to remain on the same site; Hamilton Golf Club
- Toss in a coin and make a wish at the wishing well located in the Botanic Gardens
- Play, learn and discover at the Lakes Edge Adventure Playground which offers 90 sensory elements
- Get active at the Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre; swim, racquetball, squash, table tennis and so much more on offer
- Indulge in a Lindt hot chocolate at The Roxburgh
- Catch the latest blockbuster at the Hamilton Cinema
- 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
- Find a treasure at Baimbridge
- Take a book and leave a book at the little library house located in the Community Pocket Garden
- Visit the birthplace of Ansett Transport Empire at Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum
- Look to the skies and admire the spires of the Anglican Church and Presbyterian Church
Penshurst
- Snap a selfie atop Mount Rouse
- Work your way through the local wine menu at Penny Wine Lounge
- Have an explosive time at the Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre
- Browse through the stacks, shelves and piles of books for sale at Rurik’s Shed (open weekends)
- Go bird spotting at Yatmerone Reserve where 30 bird species dwell
- Picnic by the Never Fail Spring in the Penshurst Botanic Gardens
Tarrington
- Raise a glass of sparkling Pinot Gris at Pierrepoint
- Try a Henty Region biodynamic wine from Hochkirch (cellar door open by appointment only)
- Hop on your bike and cycle around 10 kilometres of designated track, taking in the rich rural views
- Savour the baked delights of Cafe Catalpa
- Procure an antiquated treasure at Bloomfield Cottage Antiques (open weekends)
- Take in the very unique sight of the Tarrington Shoe Tree
- See the spectacular Lutheran Church light up at night
