Named after the Biblical peak detailed in the story of Noah and his Ark, Ararat was first developed by white settlement in the 1840s as a small settlement for sheep and cattle graziers.

Ararat located in the Pyrenees Ranges is surrounded by the spectacular Grampians National Park, Mount Cole and the magnificent granite peaks and forests of Langi Ghiran and McDonald Park. The town was named by the region's first permanent grazier Horatio Spencer Wills, who after an arduous eleven month journey from the Murrumbidgee in 1839, settled on the name Mount Ararat for the site from which he first surveyed the land which promised prosperity and safety for him and his family.

Following Wills' first settlement of 500 head of cattle and 5000 sheep, a number of other settlers came to the area bringing with them the drive and determination which was launch the area as one of Australia's prosperous farming and grazing regions.

Today Ararat is the commercial centre of a region renowned for Merino wool production, wheat farming and the source of Western Victoria's most celebrated wines. As well as its industry based attractions, its colourful history including a strong gold rush heritage, the region's beautiful landscapes and many cultural attractions provide a wide range of activities for visitors with of all kinds of interests.

Natural Attractions

Ararat has one of the most glorious outlooks of Victoria's towns, nestled between the magnificent Mt Cole Forest Range and Grampians National Park the area boasts many splendid natural attractions including numerous lakes and forests ideal for a range of leisure activities as well as providing delightful venues for relaxation.

Heritage Attractions

Closely linked with Victoria's rich goldfields history, Ararat has a number of superb heritage walks that allow visitors to step back in time and gain a sense of the exciting goldrush era when thousands of prospectors flocked to the region in search of gold. Visitors can tour a number of mineshafts which still dot the landscape including the Canton Lead a shallow alluvial goldfield discovered by Chinese prospectors on their way to the central Victorian Gold fields in the 1850s.

Ararat also has a number of beautiful historic buildings many classified by the National Trust. Some of the town's more interesting and historically significant buildings including the magnificent bluestone Post Office which housed a gold exchange in the mid 1800s, the 1859 basalt built court house, Town Hall, Civic Square and War Memorial.

Caffe Dominica one of Ararat's beautiful historic mansions also operates as a bed and breakfast and has a delightful Bistro and tearooms which have received high recommendations in The Age Good Food Guide.

One of Ararat's more notorious historical attractions is J-Ward. Originally the Old Ararat Country Gaol, this 1858 building became an institution for the incarceration of the criminally insane and for over 100 years the building was used to lock away from view those society wanted to forget.

A short drive east of the region is the Historic Cobb & Co Coach House and store at Buangor.

Vineyards

A combination of temperate climate and quality soil has allowed the Ararat region to develop into a wine connoisseur's delight. A vigneron tour is perhaps one of the highlights of a visit to Ararat providing visitors with the opportunity to admire spectacular views and sample the magnificent wines of the district.

Vines were first planted in the area in 1860 and today the wine makers at the base of the Grampians are justifiably proud of their distinctive regional wines. There area a number of vineyards in the district that welcome visitors to tour, taste and picnic in the wineries each offering spectacular views of the forest and mountain ranges as well as premium wines. One of the region's wineries Seppelt Great Western, noted as the birthplace of Australia's leading sparkling wines, is also home to largest underground cellar in the southern hemisphere. Montara Vineyards, Mt Langi Ghiran, Cathcart Ridge Estate and Boroka Vineyard are a few of the vineyards in this highly acclaimed wine making district that will provide visitors with a memorable experience.

Natural Attractions, Parks and Gardens

Ararat is known as the orchard city of the Grampians, so named because of the spectacular mountain national park which lies west of the town. The spacious Alexandra Gardens with its famous orchard glass houses are not to be missed as one of Ararat's garden highlights. The Gardens also have a superb fernery and children's playground.

To the north of Ararat are the magnificent Pyrenees Ranges while a short drive west takes visitors to the shores of Lake Bolac. McDonalds Park 4km from the town centre has a magnificent flora and fauna reserve and is an excellent venue for bushwalking. While the One Tree Hill Lookout provides visitors with panoramic views of the Grampian National Park and the Pyrenees.

Mount Cole State Forrest 18km from Ararat offers nature overs a stunning natural environment with a variety of magnificent trees and stunning natural features including sheer granite cliffs and lush streams.

Galleries, Museums and Arts

Ararat has over 22 art, craft and antique stores and as well as the Ararat Art Gallery which has a magnificent exhibition dedicated to the area's significant contribution to fibre and textile arts in Australia. The region also has a number of art studios visitors can tour including the Diggings Pottery set in a magnificent natural landscape of yellow box trees and waterfalls and glass blowing studios.

The Langi Morgala Museum has an extensive collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the priceless Mooney collection.

Ararat is also the location of the only performing arts centre in the mid west of Victoria. The Town Hall Arts Activity Centre plays hosts to a variety of local and international acts making this beautiful venue is one of the busiest performing arts centres in the State.

Sport and Leisure

Ararat offers visitors a range of leisure activities ranging from exciting joyflights over the scenic areas of the district to nature walks, cycling, golf and gymnasium activities at the award winning YMCA sports complex. The region's Green Hill Lake famous for its game trout fishing also provides visitors with other forms of water sport including windsurfing, rowing sailing and water skiing. Hang gliding over the beautiful landscapes of the Ararat region is also becoming increasingly popular.

Farm Stays

Offering visitors a magnificent opportunity to experience rural Australia at its best, Ararat has a number of Host Farms which allow visitors to become actively involved with the running of the farms as well as enjoy the unique hospitality these working farms provide. A number of the farms will demonstrate wool classing and the working of sheep-dogs, while others can also show visitors the natural wonders of the Australian bush taking guests on twilight tours to see kangaroos and emus grazing as well as giving visitors the opportunity to see a range of other native animals and plants

0 of a possible 0 points from 0 votes