Tourism

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Ararat

Ararat is a vibrant rural city at the heart of a remarkable region; a destination rich in heritage with a wealth of attractions on offer.

Being the gateway to the Grampians Wine Region - Ararat offers the regions finest foods at the variety of cafes, restaurants and produce stores dotted along the route.

Ararat and District hosts a full calendar of festivals and events, including the Golden Gateway Festival, The Ararat Show, Great Western Races, The Moyston Country Music Festival and the Grampians Grape Escape Food and Wine Festival.

Ballarat

Ballarat is one of Victoria's premier tourist destinations attracting visitors for our gold and architectural heritage, parks and gardens, art and cultural activities and as the gateway to western Victoria.

Our multi-award winning and internationally recognised attractions include Sovereign Hill, The Gold Museum, The Eureka Centre, The Ballarat Wildlife Park, The POW Memorial, the Arch of Victory and the Avenue of Honour.

Annual events such as the Begonia Festival, the Royal South Street Eisteddfod and major sporting events involve both local people and participants from all over Australia.

Ballarat offers an exciting calendar of events and festivals to enjoy during your visit.

• Discover more about events in Ballarat

Hepburn

The Hepburn Shire is home to over 40 exciting and unique major events. From January through to December visitors flock to the Boite Singers' Festival, Lavender Harvest Festivals, ChillOut Festival, Anderson's Mill Festival, Swiss Italian Festa, Creswick Forestry Fiesta, Fabulous Flower Festa just to name a few. Hepburn's diverse artistic community provides a good base for hosting the many and varied events.

• Discover more about events in the Hepburn Shire Council

Moorabool

Attractions come naturally to Moorabool and so do visitors. They come to marvel at the wonders Moorabool has to offer: Wombat State Forest, Lerderderg Gorge, Werribee Gorge and come to see the galleries, have a stroll through the beautiful towns, drive along a quiet back road soaking up the beautiful countryside, hike a wilderness trail and maybe attend a festival or two. The Shire is host to an ever growing number of events and festivals throughout the year including the Blackwood Easter Woodchop Festival, the Ballan Autumn Festival, the Gordon Spring Festival, Cup Day in the Park (Bacchus Marsh), horticultural events at Yuulong Lavender Farm and the Garden of St Erth. The tourist season extends through all seasons and the district offers a wide range of accommodation.

• Discover more about events in Bacchus Marsh

Northern Grampians

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Grampians National Park and home to the world's most prestigious professional footrace the Stawell Easter Gift, over 1 million people visit the Northern Grampians each year.

Characterised by the dominant assets of Grampians, Gift, Grapes and Gold, the Northern Grampians boasts a diverse range of activities and attractions. From bushwalking, wildflower displays, 4W driving, adventure pursuits, food and wine, events, heritage attractions and aboriginal culture to the excitement of the Stawell Gift and thoroughbred racing, there is something for everyone.

• Discover more about events in the Northern Grampians

Pyrenees

The Pyrenees region is blessed with a stunning natural environment ideal for hiking, bushwalking and mountain bike riding. The region is less populated than its grand neighbours The Grampians, but offers visitors a seductive and tranquil environment in which to enjoy a range of natural wild life and heritage vegetation.

In addition the Pyrenees Wine Region has formed the foundation for Food & Wine tourism experiences and along with some of the well-known wine labels such as Blue Pyrenees Estate and Taltarni, is home to a growing industry of emerging small wineries. Accommodation options reflect the boutique and private environment this region offers.

• Find out more about events, accommodation and activities in the Pyrenees