Not feeling up to venturing along the entire length of the Great Ocean Road, but still looking to experience Victoria at its best? The country town of Hamilton is sure to offer the right kind of holiday experience for you.
Located in Western Victoria, Hamilton is positioned at the intersection of the Glenelg and Henty Highways, making it easy to find and an ideal resting place on your Victorian holiday.
Highly regarded as the “Wool Capital of the World” owing to its strong historical links to sheep grazing, Hamilton is a true Australian town that is simply begging to be discovered.
The township of Hamilton boasts attractive tree-lined streets, beautifully architectured churches, and delicately landscaped parks, gardens and recreation areas. It is the perfect destination for a laid back, relaxing holiday.
The town’s wool industry history is extremely prominent here and this shines through in its many museums and attractions dedicated to this past. If you are in town at the beginning of August, “Sheepvention” is a great way to discover the hidden secrets of the wool industry. Similar to the town’s Agricultural show, Sheepvention attracts more than 20,000 visitors annually, showing of the best in the business.
The Big Wool Bales are another proud spectacle of Hamilton. This attraction consists of 5 linked structures that resemble gigantic wool bales.
Housed inside these structures is a museum that pays tribute to the local wool industry through memorabilia displays of the historical kind, including farming and shearing equipment, wool scales, old horse harnesses, wool presses and weaving looms.
This is a great place to visit to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of this industry to the locals.
The historical significance of the local wool industry is also evident in the Hamilton Pastoral Museum. Displaying historic farming machinery, horse drawn carriages and other relics depicting early rural life in the area, this museum is another great place to visit to soak up the town’s past.
If recreation is what you are after, be sure to take a drive in your rental car down to the beautiful Lake Hamilton. Located at the eastern end of town and surrounded by 25 hectares of parkland, the lake is the perfect spot for a BBQ or picnic with the family. The walking and cycling track around the entire lake provides the perfect excuse to burn off some calories, while still offering beautiful views along the way.
Another option is to take a short drive west of Hamilton along the Glenelg Highway. This peaceful drive will eventually lead you to the Nigretta Falls and the stunning Wannon Falls. Both of these lie on the Wannon River and offer an idyllic setting for a family day out. Be sure to bring the camera along.
While in the area you should also take some time to pay a visit to the Mt Napier State Park. Home to the most recently active volcano in Victoria, this park is a truly beautiful place that is definitely worth some exploration.
Staying in Hamilton will equate to a wonderful holiday experience packed full of history and nature. The pleasant motor inns and caravan parks offer affordable places to stay and are great places to wind down in after a full day of outdoor exploration.
Hamilton is a remarkable town that has escaped the touches of modernity and development, while still offering everything one could need for a fun, eventful and enjoyable holiday.
Christine Barton
Christine Barton is a Content Writer for Discovery Campervan Hire, Australia’s travel focused online campervan hire company. She also writes frequently for Discovery’s Motorhome Hire New Zealand and enjoys travel around the world.
