DAY ONE

A mere hours drive from our neighbours Warrnambool, Port Fairy or Portland will have you at Penshurst, a perfect and picturesque place to pause/stop.  Penshurst is a town reminiscent of yesteryear with beautiful bluestone buildings and towering elm trees.

First, stock up on sustenance for your day at the Penshurst Store.  Family-run café and bakery, the Penshurst Store is full of freshly made bread, buns, pies, pastries and sweet treats.  They also have a carefully curated collection of locally made jams, preserves, homewares, clothing, beauty products and plants, so you can squeeze a little shop in while there.  Fuelled by delicious food and armed with your goodies, it’s time to continue your explorations.

Penshurst is home to the now dormant volcano, Collorrer (Mount Rouse), and you can climb it!  With a path winding its way to the summit, take in the spectacular views of a dry crater lake and the Western District Plains.  You can also take the grassy trail to the archaic basin and place yourself into the depths of a once active volcano.  Want to know a little more about the explosive volcanic history of Penshurst?  Head to the Volcanoes Discovery Centre.

Time to take the treats you procured at the Penshurst Store and have yourself a picnic at the Penshurst Botanic Gardens.  With a never-failing spring, glistening lake and flourishing plant life, the gardens offer up the perfect position to pause, stop and eat!  Along with the 13 acres of lush land to discover, there is also a fantastic volcanic playground that the kids will lava ?.

As the day ends, head to Hamilton for a great feed at one of the many delicious local restaurants AND a great night’s rest at one of the many hospitable accommodation providers.

DAY TWO

Breakfast time!  Hamilton is home to a plethora of delicious cafes… Little Koi, The Roxburgh, The Speckled Frog, just to name a few and all renowned for hearty and wholesome breakfasts.  Now well-fed and looking for adventure, it is time to order a takeaway coffee and take it (and yourself) for a wander around the magnificent Hamilton Botanic Gardens.

After your serene saunter around the gardens, change up the scene by heading to Greater Hamilton’s waterfalls, Nigretta and Wannon Falls, both of which are only a 15-minute drive from Hamilton.  Pristine and powerful, the waterfalls present breathtaking viewing platforms and walking tracks.   

Heading back to Hamilton, make a pause/stop at the Lakes Edge Adventure Playground.  Offering over 90 different play equipment experiences including rope pyramid, climbing wall, slides, spinners, swings and so much more, kids (of all ages) will love hopping, skipping and sliding their way around the park.  With the park perfectly placed at the edge of Lake Hamilton, you can also enjoy a lake walk around the 4km walking track.

Last fly-in visit for the day, the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum.  Take in the era of the Ansett Empire with a visit to the museum, home to such fascinating memorabilia as the very cool, retro flight attendant uniforms and the formidable Fokker Universal Aircraft! 

For those traveling onto the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, a pause/stop at the Dunkeld Information Centre will be worthwhile.  Helpful and insightful, the lovely team can ensure you don’t miss any of the hidden gems as you travel North.

PAUSE. STOP.  AND STAY SAFE THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. MAKE A CHOICE NOT TO DRIVE WHEN TIRED, BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES TO PREVENT DRIVING DROWSY.

• Plan your journey ahead of time.
• Aim to get enough quality sleep before driving – regardless of whether the trip is a long or short.
• Avoid driving at times when you would usually be sleeping.
• Don't travel for more than 8 - 10 hours a day.
• Plan to pause from the road at least every two hours.
• Consider swapping drivers where possible.
• Don't drink alcohol before your trip -even a small amount can significantly contribute to driver fatigue.
• Take a 15 minute powernap if you feel drowsy.
• Pause and stop for a visit at the Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre or the Hamilton Visitor Information Centre and enjoy free children's activities including colouring in, postcards and tailored itinerary with points of interest.

Find out more information about driver fatigue and drowsy driving here