Hamilton VIC 3300 (Pop 10 900)

Hamilton is a significant rural centre between the Grampians and the Great Ocean Road. Located 320 km west of Melbourne and in the heart of sheep grazing country, Hamilton dubs itself ‘Wool Capital of the World’. European pastoral settlement began in 1830s and by 1860s Hamilton was Victoria’s only important township with neither mining nor a port. Its role as a service centre with transport and commercial services remains its main focus today together with dairy products, engineering & sawmilling. Beef Expo (Feb), Hamilton Cup (Apr), Wool Heritage Week (July).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Hamilton Art Gallery, Brown St considered one of Victoria’s best provincial galleries with 18th century engravings, 19th & 20th century Australian artworks, ceramics, tapestries and Oriental artifacts. Open (10am-5pm) Tues-Fri, (10am-12 & 2pm-5pm) Sat and (2pm-5pm) Sun. Hamilton Historical Museum, Gray St housed in the old Mechanics’ Institute (1865) has interesting local history displays & memorabilia. Open (2pm-5pm) Sun-Fri. Historic Hamilton includes Hamilton Spectator printing office (1859), Post Office (1878), St Andrew’s Church (1907). Hamilton Botanical Gardens, French St magnificent 4 ha parkland established in 1870 with a huge variety of European trees, a band rotunda (c.1900), cottage (1881), walk-through aviary, lakes, islands and HMAS Nelson cannon (c. 1860s). Lake Hamilton, Ballarat St 38 ha lake ideal for watersports and recreational activities bounded by a 25 ha parkland. Hamilton Pastoral Museum, Glenelg Hwy housed in a former Lutheran Church (1861) with local Lutheran history displays and memorabilia. Open by appointment. Tel (03) 5572 2489. 
 
Nearby:
Mount Eccles NP (40 km south) fascinating landscape of three main volcanic craters centred around the 700 m long Lake Surprise. Nigretta Falls Reserve (15 km n-w) viewing platform, stunning scenery and good fishing. Wannon Falls (19 km west) with a koala reserve, kangaroos, viewing platforms and good recreational areas. Byaduk Caves and Mt Napier State Park (18 km south) features Byaduk Caves (only one accessible), viewing platform and excellent summit views. Cavendish (25 km north)  small prety village on the Wannon River with an historic school (1852), old police cells (1862), store (1868) and lovely riverside walks. 

Accommodation:
Hamilton has 8 motels, half a dozen hotels, 3 B&Bs, a lodge and two caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Lonsdale St. Tel (03) 5572 3746 or 1800 807 056.