 About the region: The Western Districts region is one of Victoria's most vital agricultural regions. It has an abundance of available arable land, secure surface water storages, large reserves of underground water, marginal forestry resources and a broad agriculture production base. The Grampians is a rugged mountain range takes its name from the towering series of mountains at the western end of Victoria's Great Dividing Range, serviced by the tourist centre of Halls Gap. Waterfalls, spectacular scenery, lush bushland and native wildlife are features of the Grampians National Park.
The coast of Western Victoria offers some of the most stunning coastal vistas in the country. The Great Ocean Road winds its way from Torquay to Warrnambool, giving access to the area's coastal attractions. The road begins on the Surf Coast, Victoria's premier surfing strip. It passes through the lush rainforests of Otway National Park before following The Shipwreck Coast. Port Campbell National Park, with its sheer limestone cliffs overlooking offshore islets, rock stacks, gorges, arches, and blow-holes, hosts such well known attractions as The Twelve Apostles, the London Arch (formerly London Bridge), Loch Ard Gorge, the Gibson Steps, and The Grotto.
The Grampians: an area of waterfalls, valleys, mountains and woodlands set amid three stark and spectacular ridges of upthrust sandstone, some 90 kilometres in length and rising in peaks to a height of 1070 metres. Rich in native flora and fauna - herds of acclimatised deer roam the hills and duck-billed platypuses still inhabit the streams - the form and mood of these mountains is different from any other in Australia.
All sections of The Grampians offer fascinating bush walks for the nature lover, panoramic views to picturesque lakes and waterfalls, and some challenging country for rock climbers. Whether you prefer driving, sightseeing and picnicking, camping and hiking, cycling, fishing or rock climbing, you are able to set your own pace.
Port Campbell National Park: The coastline contained within this national park is what those who drive the Great Ocean Road come to see - sheer limestone cliffs overlooking offshore islets, rock stacks, gorges, arches, and blow-holes. As part of the Shipwreck Coast, it hosts several well known attractions; including The Twelve Apostles, the London Arch (formerly London Bridge), Loch Ard Gorge, the Gibson Steps, and The Grotto (below).
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Great Ocean Road: one of Australia's great drives, the 273 km Great Ocean Road winds its way from Torquay to Warrnambool on the south west coast alongside some of the most dramatically scenic seascapes in the world. It was constructed by ex-servicemen and the unemployed between 1918 and 1932 and is dedicated to those that lost their lives in World War I. The most well known feature in the region is The Twelve Apostles rock formation near Port Campbell, carved out of the limestone headlands by rough seas over time.
The Pyrenees: This region centres on the Pyrenees Ranges of western Victoria and the former gold mining towns of the area. Much of this part of Victoria was founded on gold prospecting and gold is still mined today. Metal detectors are hired locally. The Pyrenees is one of the oldest wine regions in Victoria, and home to the famous Seppelt's Great Western undeground cellars. The signature grape of the region, Shiraz, has long been recognised for its complex and distinctive flavours, though a diverse range of varietals are also produced locally.
Hopetoun Falls
The Otways: some of Australia's best rainforest scenery can be found in the Otway Ranges. Many walkways have been created to give access to the tall trees, ancient plant life and lush ferns. You can walk among giant tree ferns at Maits Rest or experience the full beauty of the rainforest on the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk. There are many waterfalls in the national park's narrow valleys, ranging from the impressive Triplet Falls to secluded falls over fern-fringed pools. Spot native wildlife such as glow worms at Melba Gully, the elusive platypus at Lake Elizabeth or koalas at nearby Kennett River.
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Cape Bridgewater: The high coastal cliffs of Cape Bridgewater, near the city of Portland, stretch in a perfect crescent around the rim of a huge, ancient volcano crater, creating the crescent of Bridgewater Bay. The bay has a number of excellent beaches, suited to swimming, surfing, fishing and beachcombing. A walking trail leads to the surreal landscape of the petrified forest which looks like a forest of tree roots turned into rock. The end of the trail looks out over rock platforms and onto a colony of about 650 Australian fur seals.
Mt Arapiles, a rock climber's paradise
The Wimmera & Mallee: A relatively flat area where the bulk of Victoria's cereal crops are grown, The Wimmera is fairly typical of inland Australia. The Mallee, in the extreme north west corner of the state, comprises mainly flat semi-arid sand plains. With the exception of the Grampian range which is quite stunning, both regions have appeal to the traveller whose interest is not confined solely to picturesque scenery. They give the opportunity to taste the outback without leaving Victoria, the large number of National Parks also offer great opportunities for keen fishermen and shooters.
The Surf Coast:
Marking the beginning of an incredibly picturesqu
e stretch of coastline, The Surf Coast has some of Australia's best surf beaches, bustling resort towns, spectacular scenery, lush rainforests and huge cascading waterfalls.
Victoria's most
popular surf towns such as Lorne, Torquay, and Anglesea and of course the infamous Bells Beach are all on the Surf Coast. Being located relatively close to Melbourne, it is a popular day trip destination and in summer, one of the busiest holiday strips in the country.
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| Visiting The Region: The Facts |
How to Get There: by road west from Melbourne,
Best Time To Go: As Victoria has a temperate climate, there is no one season or month that the visitor needs to avoid, except perhaps summer (December - February), if you find hot weather unbearable. Even then, only the north and the north-west tend to suffer from extended periods of intense heat, so those areas would be the only ones to contemplate avoiding in summer if you don't like the heat. In and around Melbourne, which gets more cloud and disturbed weather despite a lower rainfall, sunshine hours per day in winter (June - August) are three to four as against seven to eight in summer. Cold spells are brief and never severe on the coast, and temperatures can drop much lower inland in winter.
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Regional Centres
National Parks
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