The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Southern Grampians Shire Region

The Southern Grampians Shire region is a three and a half hour drive west of Melbourne and includes the main town of Hamilton and smaller towns of Coleraine, Dunkeld and Glenthompson. Part of the Grampians National Park lies within the shire.

Wannon Falls and Nigretta Falls near Wannon are two spectacular waterfalls which are located close to each other in Wannon.

There are many interesting Southern Grampians Walks of different challenge levels. There is also an easy stroll through the Dunkeld Arboretum.

Mount Napier State Park contains the most recently active volcano in Victoria which can be climbed and the area has Tumuli (Lava Blisters) and Byaduk Caves formed by molten lava. Visit Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre to find out more on eruptions and lava flows in the district.

A map of the region is:

Map boundaries Southern Grampians Shire

The best playgrounds in this region are:

Lakes Edge Adventure Playground, Hamilton

A lovely all abilities access playground which has colourful soft path access to all the play equipment. The centre of the playground has a huge rope pyramid climbing frame. Around this is a large modern climbing structure with high climbing wall and steep twisting slide, a stand-on spinner, four swings (one with harness and the others without safety chains), three stone climbing mounds, little swing seat, donut which spins around, a circular path which winds into a centre, family size see-saw, rope hammock, two slides on a soft hillock, birds nest swing and lovely ship play structure.

In one corner is a huge sandpit with diggers. lots of sand play equipment and three metal drums.

Shelter with BBQs and tables, water taps scattered about and toilets. The playground area is surrounded by trees and is located about 20m from the Hamilton Lake.

Turnbull Street Playground, Coleraine

Interesting playground with a good variety of play equipment. The main structure has two wave slides, clanger to hit against pipes, steps, small inclined walkway, tunnels, maze panel, shop front, ladder with square rungs and chain ladder. Also a cone shaped rope climbing frame, dune buggy, big see-saw, kangaroo springer, four swings, two long rigid flying foxes and shaded gravel/sand pit with sand handling equipment and two diggers.

Shelter with two tables, BBQs and water tap. Another shelter with seats. Unshaded table and big grassy area. Next to tennis courts and Skate Park.

The skate parks in this region are:

Hamilton Skatepark (The park has had a massive upgrade and a concrete park has replaced the metal park, although the halfpipe and pyramid have been retained. There is a bowl which is separated by a spine from a large street area with a lot of ramps, quarters, rails, boxes and other elements. There is an unshaded table, BBQ, water tap and toilets. Next to a playground)

Hamilton Skatepark

Coleraine Skatepark (Good concrete park which has a concrete half pipe at one end, fun box, stairs, flat ramps, quarters and a curved bowl section)

Reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the Southern Grampians Shire council region are here:

Family activities in the Southern Grampians Shire region include:

Coleraine

Peter Francis Points Arboretum (A 37 hectares native Australian plant collection which contains in excess of 10,000 plants)

Coleraine Outdoor Swimming Pool (A main 50m pool and toddler pool)

Visitor Information Centre Playground, Coleraine (Housed in a historic old railway station with picnic facilities and local advice on activities)

Dunkeld

Southern Grampians Walks (2.4 - 7 km return walks at the southern end of the Grampians National Park)

Dunkeld & Grampians Visitor Information Centre (Local advice about activities in the region)

Dunkeld Outdoor Swimming Pool (26m main pool and toddler pool)

Dunkeld Arboretum (Enjoy a 2km return walk around the Arboretum tracks and view the ducks and swans playing in the ponds)

Dunkeld Historical Museum (Displays artefacts from settlement to recent times)

Glenthompson

Grampians Pure Sheep Dairy (Tours, tastings and sales are all conducted from the factory door)

Robson's Lookout (Panoramic views of the Grampians National Park and views of the Oaklands Hill Wind Farm)

Glenthompson Outdoor Swimming Pool (25m main pool and the toddler pool)

Hamilton

Apex Park Steam Locomotive and Grange Burn (A full size K-class locomotive is on display with ramp access to the drivers compartment which you can enter. The nearby waterway, Grange Burn, is platypus habitat)

Hamilton & Grampians Visitor Information Centre (Up-to-date, local information from a variety of sources, to assist in your visit)

Campes Motor Museum (An extensive range of vintage and veteran cars, buses and motoring memorabilia)

Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum (Memorabilia on display conveys the company's rapid growth from a single vehicle road service to an international airline)

Hamilton Botanic Gardens (William Guilfoyle, the curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens and one of Australia's greatest garden designers and botanists, designed sweeping lawns, curved paths, lakes and islands, rockeries, cacti and succulents, colourful plants and contrasting foliage)

Hamilton Art Gallery (A range of exhibitions, programs and events that stimulate understanding, awareness and enjoyment of the visual arts)

Hamilton Cinema (Modern facilities with kiosk)

Hamilton Miniature Railway (Clubroom with a range of railway memorabilia and train rides every Sunday)

Hamilton Olympic Outdoor Pool (Main T-shaped 50m pool and toddler pool)

Hamilton Pastoral Museum (Collection covering farming and domestic history, wood turners and model train display)

Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre (Indoor 8 lane heated 25m pool, heated program pool with beach entry, gym facilities, cafe, squash/raquetball facilities)

Penshurst

Mount Rouse (The summit has track access and provides panoramic views of the lava plain and surrounding district)

Penshurst Botanic Gardens (A 13 acre reserve with a playground)

Penshurst Outdoor Swimming Pool (25m main pool and toddler pool)

Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre (An interpretive centre which contains an audio/visual display of volcanoes in general, and the eruptions and lava flows of the district in particular)

Other Locations

Balmoral Swimming Pool at Balmoral (A 26m L-shaped main pool and a toddler pool)

Tumuli (Lava Blisters) near Byaduk (One of only three sites in the world where tumuli (lava blisters) or dome shaped mounds are found)

Byaduk Caves (Part of a lava flow from Mount Napier which solidified and the caves were formed by molten lava continuing to flow beneath. The caves contain wrinkles, stalactites and stalagmites, columns and ropy lava and one cave is open to the public)

Ros McArthur Art Studio at Mirranatwa (Visitors are invited to wander and enjoy the garden)

Mount Napier State Park near Mount Napier (Walk to the summit of the most recently active volcano in Victoria)

Tarrington Hay Bale Art at Tarrington (During the Laternenfest, or Festival of Lanterns from early November to the end of December, locals create art from hale bales and they are displayed along the length of the town)