Ararat, Victoria: Travel guide and things to do

Ararat, VIC

Ararat is an attractive old goldmining town of about 7500 people located in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, 332 metres above sea-level. It is 203 km north-west of Melbourne at the intersection of the Western and Pyrenees Highways. It is now the commercial centre of an agricultural district where wheat, oats, fine wool and wine are the major produce, although the town also has an industrial estate.

The Tjapwurong Aborigines inhabited the Ararat district long before the arrival of white men. The townsite was known to them as 'Butingitch'. The first Europeans in the district were the party of explorer Thomas Mitchell on their expedition through 'Australia Felix'. Mitchell's positive report on the land east of the Grampians encouraged squatters to move into the district.

The first was Horatio Wills, the stepson of Robert Howe who established Sydney's first newspaper. Together with his family and some stockmen, Wills drove 500 cattle and 5000 sheep from the Murrumbidgee in 1839. The following year they camped on a hill one day shy of their destination. Wills named the hill Mount Ararat 'for like the Ark we have rested here'.

Gold was first discovered in the vicinity at Pinky Point, 6 km west of present-day Ararat, in 1854. Other leads followed and there were soon 9000 people strewn about the area known as 'Cathcart' after a popular actress of the day. One such prospector was escapee bushranger 'Gipsy' Smith who killed Sergeant John McNally during an attempted arrest at the Cathcart goldfields in 1856 (Smith was soon caught and executed).

The strike which established the town came about, indirectly, as a result of racial strife on the Victorian goldfields. As a result of anti-Asian sentiment, the state government, in 1855, placed a £20 poll tax on every Chinese person entering Victorian ports. Consequently, ships from China began landing at South Australia leaving the immigrants a walk of 500 km or more to the Victorian goldfields, often in winter with few opportunities to renew supplies or water and with unreliable guides. Thus one party of 700 Chinese miners came to rest on the future townsite while en route to Clunes. One member discovered alluvial gold in a stream and thus the Canton Lead was established. Within two weeks, the population was allegedly 20 000. With the assistance of the Chinese Protector, the Chinese miners survived violent attempts from whites to oust them from their claims. 93 kg of gold were shipped out in the first three weeks and 3 tons were officially escorted from town in the first three months.

Ararat's first newspaper was published in 1857. The town was named after the nearby mountain and declared a municipality almost immediately (in 1858). Work on a hospital, water supply, cemetery, botanical gardens, mechanics institute, church and courthouse began the following year. A gaol was completed in 1861 and a post office in 1862.

Ararat was advanced to the status of a borough in 1863 but, by that time, the gold had already begun to dwindle. However, the town survived as a service centre to the old pastoral properties and as a regional administrative centre. Moreover, from 1862, the process of breaking up the old squatter's estates began. Selectors gained a foothold and farming commenced. When the railway arrived in 1875 Ararat became a major rail junction.

The Mafeking goldrush at Mt William in 1900 saw a revival of gold fever and a resurgence of Ararat's population. Other goldmines contributed to the local economy from 1909 to 1920. The borough became a town in 1934 and a city in 1950.

E.J. Banfield, who made Dunk Island famous, trained as a journalist at the local newspaper before heading north.

The ten-day Golden Gateway Festival, held in October, is the major social event on the calender. There is also the One Act Play Festival in August.

Things to see

Tourist Information
The Ararat & Grampians Visitor Information Centre is located at the upgraded Ararat Railway Station on the Western Highway. It is open seven days from 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m., tel: [phone] or freecall 1800 657 158

Town Hall and Art Gallery
The town's Classical Revival town hall was built in 1898. Its symmetrical facade consists of a central clock tower flanked by two bays with columns and pediments. There are formal gardens and a Boer War memorial fountain (1905). It now contains a performing arts centre and the Ararat Regional Art Gallery which focuses primarily on fibre and textile art although it does also feature touring art exhibitions and does have an impressive permanent collection. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and from 12.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Shire Hall
On the other side of the Town Hall is the imposing facade of the Classical Revival shire hall (1871) with its robust colonnade capped by a strong pediment.

Langi Morgala Museum
Over Queen St is the Langi Morgala Museum. This bluestone building was erected as a wool and grain store in 1874. Displays relate to the town's goldmining origins, the early Chinese inhabitants, pre-colonial Aboriginal history, the lot of women in the colonial period, the development of the railways in the district and rural life. It is open from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. on weekends or by appointment, tel: [phone].

Dominica
Walk east along Barkly St to Princes St. On the north-western corner is 'Dominica', a mansion with fine gardens and a topiary fence. It was built by G.W.H. Grano who established the Vine Tree Store in the late 1850s which supplied the early miners with building material. The mansion was named after the island of Dominica in the West Indies from whence the family came.

Old Ararat School
Return along Barkly St, turn right into Queen St and take the first left into High St. On the far side of the road is the sports complex. This fine Gothic Revival building was erected in 1867 as the Ararat Common School. It features a central belltower above a gable with symmetrical wings on either side which culminate in gabled facades that reflect the central motif. The building later served as public baths. Just along High St, towards Vincent St, is a large wall mural by Hugh Anderson.

Alexandra Botanical Gardens
Turn right at Vincent St, cross the railway line and to the left are Alexandra Gardens (1901). There is a lake, a walk-in fernery, a landscaped Japanese 'island', the Orchid Glasshouse, a swimming pool, tennis courts and barbecues .

Pyrenees House
Proceed along Vincent St to the T-intersection and turn right into Girdlestone St. A short way along, to the left, is the Queen Anne-style building known as Pyrenees House, built in 1885 to replace the original 1860 hospital. The building's tower is its centrepiece although the whole facade is quite decorative.

J Ward
Return along Girdlestone St to the western end where you will see the Classical Revival bluestone building known as J Ward which was built in 1860-61. It consists of two-storey blocks around a central arched gateway which has some fine detail in the masonry. The complex served as the Ararat County Gaol until 1887. Three murderers were hanged in the jail and their bodies were buried nearby. The complex became an institution for the criminally insane in 1888 and continued until1991. It is a frightening reminder of the treatment of the insane at the time. There is evidence that some prisoners were kept for up to 70 years without trial. Many of the old functions have been re-established. The building is open to the public.

Tours are conducted at 11.00 a.m. from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays and in the Victorian school holidays they are conducted on the hour from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Group bookings can be arranged for any time, tel: [phone] or [phone].

Gum Sam Museum
Walk through the gardens to Wilmot St at the north-western corner. Cross the railway line then turn left into Lambert St (the Western Highway). To the right is Gum Sam Museum Park where 700 Chinese goldminers en route from South Australia to the Clunes goldfields accidentally discovered gold in 1857, thereby initiating the establishment of Ararat. Statues to the Chinese miners have temporarily been moved while a more ambitious project is undertaken. A replica goldfield is scheduled for completion in 1999.

Barkly St West
Return along Lambert St to Vincent St, turn right then take the first right again into Barkly St. Just past Ingor St is a bluestone building with a fine oriel window. The first part of the building was erected in 1858 as a sub-treasury and assay office which prepared the gold for the gold escort which took it under heavy guard to Melbourne. The post office section was completed in 1862. Adjacent is the town's second courthouse, built to a Romanesque design in 1866-67. Over the road is a grapevine which has survived since the early days of the town's establishment. It was first planted by the aforementioned G.W.H. Grano. Plans are afoot to beautify the streetscape with more grapevines.

One Tree Hill Lookout
Not far past the post office Banfield St heads off to the right. If, at the other end of Banfield St, you cross Brewster Rd and continue along Picnic Rd for a short distance, you will come to a signposted turnoff on the left which leads to One Tree Hill Lookout from whence there are fine panoramic views of the Grampians and surrounding area.

Copes Hill
3 km south-west of town along the Moyston Rd (an extension of Barkly St) more scenic views can be had from Copes Hill.

Cathcart Ridge Estate
5 km west of Ararat along the Moyston Rd there is a signposted turnoff into the private driveway of Cathcart Ridge Estate, situated on a ridge overlooking Mount Ararat. Established in 1976 it produces cabernet, merlot, chardonnay, shiraz and pinot and it is open seven days a week from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Picnic and barbecue facilities are available, tel: [phone].

Norval Dam
A little further along Moyston Rd is another signposted turnoff on the left to the Norval Dam swimming hole where there is swimming, fishing and yabbying.

Pinky Point
6 km from the city centre on the Moyston Rd is Pinky Point where Joseph Pollard found the first gold in the Ararat area in 1854. The site is named as the clay was said to have a pinkish hue.

Carrol's Cutting
Another 2 km will bring you to Carrol's Cutting from whence there are outstanding views of the Grampians.

McDonald Park
4 km north-west of the city centre along the Western Highway (towards Stawell) is McDonald Park, a flora and fauna reserve where there are bushwalks through native shrubs and springtime wildflowers.

Elmhurst
Elmhurst is 35 km north-east of Ararat on the Pyrenees Highway to Avoca. Oasis Crystal Studio Gallery and Tea Rooms, in Wise St, specialises in lead crystal items hand-made on the premises. There are also arts and crafts items and glass-blowing demonstrations on weekends. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. seven days a week, tel: [phone]. Groups can be catered to by prior arrangement.

Kimbarra Wines
Kimbarra Wines are located at 422 Barkly St at the eastern end of Barkly St. They are open on weekdays during business hours, tel: [phone].

Former Aradale Mental Hospital
The former Ararat Asylum can be seen from the Western Highway at the eastern outskirts of town. For a closer look turn into Heath St, 500 m past Cemetery Creek. The asylum was one of three such institutions built in the country to replace the controversial Yarra Bend Asylum. Erected between 1864 and 1867 it was modelled on the latest in European thinking on the subject of asylums. Classical Revival themes dominate throughout. The landscaped gardens were established early in the 20th century by Hugh Linaker who designed the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. The institution closed in 1993.

Green Hill Lake
4.5 km east of the city centre along the Western Highway (towards Ballarat) is Green Hill Lake. It has been stocked with perch, trout and yellowbelly for anglers. There are canoe trails through wetlands flora and fauna areas, a rowing and yachting course, plenty of waterbirds and two swimming beach areas with amenities blocks, playground equipment and barbecue facilities. Sailboarding and waterskiing can also be enjoyed.

Langi Girhan State Park
15 km south-east of Ararat along the Western Highway is a signposted turnoff on the left onto Kartuk Rd (unsealed) which leads into Langhi Ghiran State Park, a reserve of 2695 ha dominated by two granite mountains - Gorrin and Mt Langhi Ghiran (950 m). This area was frequented by local Aboriginal tribes prior to white settlement and many artefacts have been found. Mt Langhi Ghiran (named after the Aboriginal word for the yellow-tailed black cockatoo) was climbed in 1836 by Thomas Mitchell. The gently sloping open woodland plains around the mountains have been formed by granite sand washing down from the peaks. They were once used for the grazing of domestic stock.

Kartuk Rd passes through open redgum and yellowbox woodland where eastern grey kangaroos can often be seen grazing (there are also echidnae, wallabies and birds in the park). At the end of the road is a picnic and camping area which is the start of a walking track which follows Easter Creek for 1 km to the old Ararat Reservoirs, which were built of local granite in 1880 (the main reservoir is still part of the Ararat water supply). If you wish you can continue for another kilometre along the old Easter Creek water-race to a scenic lookout.

The more ambitious can undertake a full-day trek to the summit of Mt Langhi Ghiran from whence there are excellent views west to the Grampians (you will need a copy of the Buangor North 1:25000 survey map No. 7523-3-N by VicMap.

The Langhi Ghiran track heads off Kartuk Rd just before it reaches the picnic ground and it heads south through a range of landforms and vegetation types to the highway. About 4 km along this road the Lar-ne-Jeering Walk heads off to an Aboriginal shelter which contains some ancient rock art. Walkers note there is no water in the park in the drier months. For further information ring [phone].

Mt Langhi Ghiran Vineyard
Buangor is 22 km south-east of Ararat along the Western Highway. The Warrak Rd heads north off the highway at this point. 5 km along is a caravan display and museum where there are historic vans, bottles and collectables.

It is another 2 km to the Mt Langhi Ghiran Vineyard, situated on the eastern slopes of the mountain. Established in 1969, it produces shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz/cabernet blend, merlot, chardonnay, riesling and pinot grigio. The cellar door is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. weekdays and 12.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. weekends. Picnic and barbecue facilities are available, tel: [phone].

Montara Winery
3 km south of the traffic lights at the Ararat town hall is Montara Winery, in Chalambar Rd. Established in 1970, it offers fine views of the Pyrenees Ranges and produces pinot noir, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and riesling. The cellar door is open from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day but Sunday when it is open from 12.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Picnic facilities are available, tel: [phone].

Gliding Club
Grampians Soaring Club on Western Highway, east of town, past Green Hill Lake, tel: [phone].

Tourist information

The Ararat & Grampians Visitor Information Centre
Railway Station, Western Hwy
Ararat Vic 3377
Telephone: [phone], tollfree 1800 657 158