Three day [2 night] tour of Ararat and the Grampians

Suggested itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Ararat by train 10.33 [depart Southern Cross at 8.08] store your luggage at the
Visitor Information Centre [VIC] and take the local bus to visit

Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre [self guided tour 11/2 hours]

Either walk [about 1km] or take the local bus to

Lunch at RSL $12.00 inc $2.00 drinks or gaming voucher

Afternoon tour Langi Morgala Museum  [Tuesday – Thursday, Saturday & Sunday - Social History], Railway Heritage Museum [Friday or Sunday] or Ararat Regional Art Gallery [Wednesday – Monday] – all within 200m of the RSL and the VIC.

Collect your luggage and check into the accommodation of your choice

Chalambar Motel                  Colonial Lodge Motel

Statesman Motor Inn             The Links Retreat

 

Dinner at Restaurant or Hotel of choice [Suggestions Nectar Ambrosia, Royal Saffron, Sicilian, Blue Duck, RSL]  or a take-away meal in our beautiful Alexandra Gardens [Chinese, pizza, fish & chips or noodles all available]   

 

If you have your own transport Bistro meals are also available at Chalambar Golf Club Wednesday to Friday

Day 2. Tour JWard at 10am or 11am for guided tour

Lunch at one of the Barkly St cafes, bakeries or hotels

Choose from Sicilian, Café 96 [closed Mon & Tues], the Vines [closed Wed], Waaks Bakery, Ararat Bakery, Debs Diner [closed Sat & Sun], The Lounge or Hotel Counter meals

Afternoon  Walking tour of historic buildings

Download guide coming soon

Or a round of golf at the spectacular Chalambar Golf Club       

Golf Club hire is available and green fees are payable.

Dinner at restaurant of choice - see day 1 suggestions

Day 3. Highlights of the Grampians Tour [Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday]

$59.00pp – discounts apply. Departs Ararat Visitor Information Centre at 10.40am

Bookings essential.

 

The “Highlights of the Grampians” tour allows you to experience spectacular views, wildlife and wildflowers. For those inclined there is time to follow some of the walking trails that offer more secluded scenes. The Grampians is known by Aboriginal people as ‘Gariwerd’ meaning “Mountain Range”.

Halls Gap - Nestled in the Fyans Valley between Wonderland and Mt William Ranges.

Lake Bellfield- At the foot of the Grampians just out of Halls Gap and surrounded by magnificent rugged cliffs and natural forest. When full the lake covers 400 hectares.

Brambuk the National Parks & Cultural Centre - Provides park information and the cultural building represents the features of the local cockatoo, while the curving ramp through the centre represents an eel, once a staple food in the region. This centre is well worth a look as it has visual and audio exhibits that graphically bring to life the history of the Aboriginal people of south-west Victoria.

The Halls Gap Zoo - Just out of Halls Gap, nestled against the backdrop of the Grampians, is the Halls Gap Zoo.The Zoo has 120 species of native and exotic mammals including the rare Red Panda, inquisitive Meerkats, cheeky Monkeys, reptiles and birds. The Zoo also has a breeding and conservation program for Brush-tailed Bettong, Tasmanian Devil, Bilby, Bush Stone Curlew, Quoll and Rock Wallabies. The fossil cave has a large selection of dinosaur, megafauna and ordovician fossils that compliment the amazing and engaging experience.

Return to Melbourne by train leaving at 4.50pm arriving Southern Cross at 7.33pm weekdays and on weekends leaving at 4.05pm arriving at Southern Cross at 6.26pm.

Download the Attractions Passport for discounted entry to most Ararat attractions