Ararat

Ararat, a gold-rush town cradled by the Pyrenees ranges in western Victoria, is a place where Chinese, Irish and Cornish heritage mingles with wide, tree-lined streets and a palpable sense of frontier history. The town’s name was chosen by a surveyor who, upon cresting a hill in 1857, was reminded of the biblical mountain – and the gold that followed made it a boomtown almost overnight. Today, Ararat offers a relaxed stopover with a strong regional food scene, handsome Victorian architecture and a gateway to the Grampians National Park.

Highlights & What to See

• Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre – an award-winning museum that vividly tells the story of the Chinese miners who shaped the region, with a recreated joss house and gold-panning experience.
• J Ward Museum – a former prison for the criminally insane, now a fascinating (and spine-tingling) heritage museum with guided tours that reveal 19th-century penal life.
• Ararat Hills Regional Park – walking trails through granite outcrops and remnant bushland, with superb views over the town and distant Grampians.
• Pyrenees Wine Region – cellar doors within a short drive, specialising in bold reds; don’t miss the cool-climate shiraz and cabernet sauvignon.
• Ararat Farmers’ Market (third Sunday of the month) – local produce, artisan cheeses and a genuine community vibe.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most travellers base themselves for one night – enough to explore the main museums, enjoy a wine-tasting lunch and walk the hills. If you’re using Ararat as a base for the Grampians (45 minutes north), allow two nights: one for the town and one for a Grampians day-hike. Self-drivers on the Western Highway often break the Melbourne–Adelaide journey here for a coffee and a quick heritage walk.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Grampians National Park – dramatic sandstone ranges, Aboriginal rock art sites and the famous Pinnacle lookout.
• Halls Gap – the main tourist hub in the Grampians, with wildlife parks and bushwalking.
• Stawell – historic gold-mining town with the Big Hill walking track and a lively annual gift show.
• Pyrenees Wine Trail – a loop of cellar doors including Blue Pyrenees Estate and Redbank Winery.
• Great Ocean Road – a 2.5-hour drive south to the Twelve Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast.

Please check official sources for current details.