Ararat Hills Regional Park

Located north of Ararat, and approximately 200kms west of Melbourne, the Ararat Hills Regional Park offers a perfect getaway for outdoor lovers.

Covering more than 2,400 acres, the park offers stunning views of the surrounding areas including Mount Cole Plateau and Mount Langi Girhan.

Head over to Pioneer Lookout for some of the best views this side of town. Visitors are treated to vistas of the majestic Grampians, Mount Cole, and Mount Lang Ghiran. You’ll also get to learn about the gold mining history of the area. Meanwhile, the Dunneworthy Block features a gentle, sloping terrain ideal for getting some exercise and sights to the north. Last but not least, there’s the Bradys Block, which features an ironbark forest in the Norval-Cathcart locale.

That’s not all there is to explore at the Ararat Hills Regional Park. It’s recommended to take a car with you for efficient sightseeing, and a car will also enable you to visit One Tree Hill Road as another route to Pioneer Lookout. Alternatively, many visitors enjoy exploring on bicycle or foot. The park is equipped with an extensive network of trails for those who prefer slow travel. However, the best area for walking is a kilometre-long track that starts at the Bridal Hill picnic area.

The diversity of flora and fauna within the park is undoubtedly a delight for nature-lovers as there are more than 200 species present within the park, with a majority of these plants being native to Ararat. Flowered orchids are also an attraction at the park as their vibrant colours make the park an amazingly scenic place to spend some time.

You may also be able to get a glimpse of other residents; such as kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas. An evening walk may introduce you to brush-tailed possums and sugar gliders.

Note that some park tracks are steep and unsuitable two-wheel-drive vehicles. Other tracks may become slippery in wet weather; however, the parks can be explored by cycling or by foot as there is an extensive network of tracks.

Ararat Hills Regional Park is easily accessible from Petticoat Gully Road off the Western Highway and offers a day full of fun and relaxation.

Dogs are permitted in Ararat Hills Regional Park but must be on a leash at all times.