Itinerary Three (Suited to 22 seater mini coach)
Day Trip: ex Dunkeld (approx 170kms)
Take the C217 route north from Dunkled with Mt Sturgeon on your left. Continue on into the Victoria Valley to wards Mirranatwa, with open grazing properties and stands of majestic Red Gums studding the paddocks. Follow the signposts to the gallery of Ros McArthur before climbing up to Mirranatwa Gap. There is layover facilities adjacent to the lookout and springtime wildflowers and delicate understorey orchids for the keen observer.
Continue over the Gap into the valley between the Serra and Mt William Ranges and follow the Grampians Tourist Road north for 3 kilometres until it intersects with the Yarram Gap Road on your right. Follow the Yarram Gap road as it winds up and over the Mt William Range and onto the wide cropping plains to the east. Continue onto the Willaura, returning to Dunkeld via Glen Thompson.
Itinerary Four (suited to all coaches)
Day trip: ex Horsham (approx 200kms)
Follow the Western Highway east 20 kms to the intersection with Northern Grampians Road. This is prime Olive growing country with Mt Zero, Toscana and Laharum Grove the three largest producers of olive products. Mt Zero operates a provedore shop of local produce, while Laharum Grove offers springtime picnic packs (by arrangement).
Continue on into Wartook Valley. The licensed Inn has coffees, lunches and a provedore gift shop. Continue up the Valley as it climbs it way up the gorge with MacKenzie Falls, Reeds and the Balconies Lookouts and eventually to Boroka Lookout with views along the Wonderland Range and down over the Halls Gap township. Return to Wartook and take the Brimpaen Road to its intersection with the Henty Highway for return to Horsham.
Itinerary Five (suited to all coaches)
Day trip: ex Hamilton (approx 100 km return)
Travel from Hamilton on the Glenelg Highway Route 160 west to Wannon Falls and Nigretta Falls, both scenic attractions visited and painted by several of members of Victoria’s Heidelberg School of painters. (The Hamilton Regional Galley has a significant permanent collection of many of these works.) Native orchids, grevillia and a host of other wildflower species can be seen at the falls and on roadside reserves. Continue on to Coleraine for a visit to the Peter Points Arboretum (and a great chocolate factory).
Itinerary Six (suited to all coaches)
Day trip: ex Hamilton (approx 130 km return)
Route C184 – the Port Fairy Road south to Byaduk. You pass Mt Napier, a state park encompassing Victoria’s last active volcano. The Park also includes the lava caves at the nearby township of Byaduk. For nature lovers, the population of Koalas at nearby Mt Eccles National Park is rewarding to see these lovable animals in their natural state.
Head east to Penshurst where the Volcanic Discovery Centre provides an interactive interpretation of the region’s fascinating geological history. Return to Dunkeld and on to Hamilton. Springtime roadside wildflowers provide colourful displays.
Bus & Coach Itineraries
Itinerary 1 – (suitable for all coaches)
Day One: Melbourne, Ballarat, Avoca, St Arnaud, Landsborough and Ararat (325 kms)
From Melbourne take the Western Freeway to Ballarat and exit onto Route B220 to Avoca and the famous wine growing region of the Pyrenees. Avoca hotels and cafes can provide lunchtime catering, if required and the regional cellar doors between Avoca and the small community of Moonambel offer tasting and sales opportunities. Many nationally-known brand names – Taltarni, Warrenmang, Blue Pyrenees and smaller boutique wineries are open daily. The road north to St Arnaud passes through the rich St Arnaud Range National Park, which in spring hosts many, many species of native ground orchids.
The 19th century grand architecture of St Arnaud is linked to the gold rush era. The main street has an interpreted walk (pick up the notes from the Information Centre). Edna Walling-designed botanic gardens are a spring treat and the Bible Museum, also in the main street is an unusual and fascinating diversion.
Heading south to Landsborough, the sculpture garden and gallery of Kevin Free is inspirational.
Overnight accommodation in Ararat – Colonial Lodge, Statesman Motor Inn and several others have group coach rates.
Day Two: Ararat to Halls Gap (44 kms)
Ararat, another gold rush town has the distinction of being the only Australian city founded by the Chinese. The cultural connections are explained in the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre and many visitors also enjoy a tour of the infamous J Ward Historic Gaol, the institution built to house the criminally-insane. One Tree Hill lookout offers commanding 360 degree views south west to the Grampians, east to Mt Langi Ghiran and northwards.
Route C222 from Ararat leads to Halls Gap and provides magnificent views to the nearby Grampians National Park. A range of group accommodation options are available. Late afternoon wildlife viewing, the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre, Lake Bellfield, the Botanic Gardens and the recently reinstated short walking trail to Silverband Falls should all be included in the day’s activities.
Day Three: Halls Gap, Dunkeld, Ballarat to Melbourne (320kms)
Drive south to Dunkeld through the Grampians National Park. Swathes of colour wildflowers, tall timbered forests and spectacular mountain scenery are the order of the morning.
From Dunkeld take the Glenelg Highway Route B 160 east to Lake Bolac, Skipton and Ballarat.
Itinerary Two (Suited to 22 seater mini coach)
Day trip: ex Halls Gap (approx 140kms)
The Mt Victory Road from Halls Gap is expected to reopen in November, following the January 2011 landslides. Follow this windy road up the mountain, past the ‘Elephant’s Hide’ and take the Boroka Lookout turn off for scenic views down over Halls Gap, the Wonderland Range and the farming land to the north. The short walk to the lookout is sealed and suitable for people with limited mobility.
Return to the Mt Victory Road, turning right to Reed’s Lookout and the optional 40 minute return walk on a pathway to the Balconies rock formation and lookout.
Return again to the Mt Victory Road, turning left and take the turn off to MacKenzie Falls. There is a gently, sealed pathway to the Falls Lookout, (allow 40 minutes return). Continue down the mountain to Wartook for lunch at Wander Inn, (by prior arrangement). Provedore gift shop and springtime fields of thryptomene wildflowers.
Return via the spectacular Roses Gap, with its roadside wildflower displays, towering cliffs, rugged native forests and if time permits, the gentle 40 minute return walk to Beehive Falls. Continue to the Western Highway, Stawell and Halls Gap.