Ararat

Ararat and surrounding areas

Ararat and surrounding areas

Ararat, a vibrant rural city at the heart of a remarkable region; a destination rich in heritage with a wealth of attractions on offer. With a town population of over 9,000 and covering a district of over 11,000 Ararat is the ideal place to stop and take a break on the Western Highway.

Located 200 km west of Melbourne between central Victoria and the Wimmera, the township of Ararat was established after the discovery of gold during the middle of the 19th Century. A group of several hundred Chinese miners on their way to the Clunes gold diggings found alluvial gold by chance at Canton Lead when replenishing their water supply. They were travelling overland at the time from South Australia to avoid the poll tax applicable to Chinese miners entering Victoria. It was the world's richest shallow alluvial goldfield that stretched five kilometres in length. For information on the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre click here.

Sporting Opportunities

Sporting Opportunities

Ararat is at the foothills of the Pyrenees Ranges. The town has retained much of its historic past, especially with respect to gold mining. Many of the buildings and sites that date from the 19th Century include the Shire Hall, Town Hall, Ararat Common School, the bluestone J Ward prison and Ararat Asylum (opened in 1867). There are numerous wineries in the Grampians and Pyrenees district surrounding Ararat which produce fine Shiraz’s and Rieslings. Fine wines made from other varieties include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Mount Langi Ghiran has established a worldwide reputation for its Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay varieties.

Grampians National Park

Grampians National Park

Ararat offers many opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities including rock climbing and abseiling, ballooning, gliding, bird watching, bushwalking, camping, caving and fishing. The indoor heated swimming pool, part of the well-equipped YMCA, provides the opportunity for families to enjoy swimming all year around.Ararat holds the 10-day Golden-Gateway Festival every October. The Jailhouse Rock Festival in March includes a street carnival, entertainment for adults and children, food, dancing and a market.

Ararat is an ideal base for exploring the region's many natural attractions, including the majestic Grampians National Park, Mt Langi Ghiran, Mt Cole, Mt Buangor and the Pyrenees Ranges. Come face-to-face with nature in this wonderland of vistas, flora and fauna. The Grampians are an extraordinarily rugged mountain outcrop at the western edge of the Great Dividing Range. The 167,000-hectare Grampians National Park is one of the State's most popular holiday destinations and is home for almost a third of Victoria's plant species.

Useful Links

GP Vacancy Ararat

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