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Volcanic Lakes and Plains

Follow meandering roads north from the coast to explore sublime volcanic landscapes and charming inland towns
Enjoy the contrast of conical peaks and deep crater lakes that punctuate the even carpet of rolling farmland

Dry Stone Walls

Western Victoria has up to 3,000km of the most dramatic and accomplished dry stone walls in Australia, historically and culturally significant, diverse in form and style. Many are visible along our roads and highways.

Camperdown Botanical Gardens Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Camperdown Botanical Gardens Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia1

Camperdown Botanic Gardens

The Camperdown Gardens land was put aside in 1869 with work being carried out by Daniel Bunce from 1870, in 1888 inprovements were made under the guidance of William Guilfoyle. The gardens feature exotic trees from six continents.

Cycling Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail Volcanic Lakes and Plain 12 apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Camperdown Timboon Rail Trail

The completed 34km Camperdown to Timboon trail is a wonderful family adventure, dotted with statuesque trestle bridges and spellbinding scenery.

Lake Bullen Merri, Camperdown, Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Lake Bullen Merri

Lake Bullen Merri South Beach - find your own space on this crystal clear volcanic lake on the southern outskirts of Camperdown

Lake Purrumbete

Renowned for the size and consistency of its trout fishing, Lake Purrumbete near Camperdown is famous for its Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout along with Chinook Salmon. This is where to go if you're looking for that BIG CATCH photo to show your friends!

Red Rock Lookout

Views over Victoria’s largest permanent inland lake and west to the scattered volcanic peaks of the western regions lakes and volcanic craters.

Gnotuk Lookout

Lake Bullen Merri - A fantastic lookout and interpretive sign describing the dynamics of the lakes and the reasons for their differing salinity.

Lake Tooliorook

Picturesque sand bottomed Lake Tooliorook is located 5km from Lismore. The lake offers good fishing and boating amenity and superb views across to Mount Elephant near Derrinallum

Mount Leura Camperdown Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Mount Sugarloaf Camperdown Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Mount Leura & Mount Sugarloaf

The car park and lookout offer commanding views of Lake Corangamite and views across Lake Colongulac towards Mount Elephant.

Mount Elephant Derrinallum Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Mount Elephant

Walks to the summit every Sunday from 1-4pm, other times by arrangement
(dogs on leads welcome).

Mount Noorat Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Mount Noorat Walk

Alan Marshall Discovery Trail. One of Australia’s best preserved dry craters offering commanding views of surrounding peaks on the volcanic plain.

Terang and Noorat Bike Trail Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Terang & Noorat Bike Trail

This is a great trail with views north towards Mount Noorat and south towards the rise of Terang and its distinctive crown of deciduous trees.

Terang Dry Lake Walk

An interesting trail that chronicles the science and history of the dry lake bed situated on the pretty lowland of the town’s southern edge.

Lake Bookaar Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hintelrand Great Ocean Road Vicoria Australia

Lake Bookaar

Lake Bookaar offers good bird watching opportunity over spring and summer presided over by the bulk of nearby Mount Elephant. Look for hoary headed grebe and freckled duck.

Tower Hill

Nestled in the crater of a dormant volcano this reserve between Warrnambool and Port Fairy is a haven for wildlife, a fascinating ecological site and a showcase for local indigenous culture.

Ballarat to Skipton Rail Trail Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Victoria Australia

Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail

Enjoy this wonderful 53km trail in parts or plan a wonderful weekend meandering through historic goldfields sites, traversing a majestic trestle bridge and taking in the wonderful rolling hills and pockets of forest between Ballarat and Skipton.

Spectacular regional villages and towns and warm country hospitality

Camperdown

Located in the heart of the 3rd largest volcanic plain on the planet. Brimming with history and located on the Princes Highway. A great stop or place to base yourself to explore the region.

Cobden Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Cobden Lake Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Cobden

Cobden is surrounded by undulating pastures and the distinctive features of the Volcanic Lakes and Plains, this friendly community offers much for the visitor and is an ideal place to base yourself for a Great Ocean Road and Volcanic Lakes and Plains Adventure.

Mortlake

Famed for its Olivine, Mortlake is a large regional town and at the intersection of major highways. A popular stop for visitors, it's charming bluestone buildings and shop fronts invite you to discover more.

Terang

Terang is a beautiful country town located on the Princes Highway. In any season you will appreciate the beautiful tree-lined main street and undulating landscape. You will find much to see and do including the Terang Dry Lake Walk and 18 hole Golf Course.

Noorat

Nestled at the base of one of Australia's best preserved dry Craters (Mt Noorat) lies the charming village of Noorat. Explore the setting of iconic Australian novel "I can jump puddles," take a step back slow down and give in to warm country hospitality.

Lismore

Located on the Hamilton highway, Lismore is a favourite stopover for many and the historic buildings in the township are well worth some further exploration.

Derrinallum Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia 4 1

Derrinallum Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia11

Derrinallum Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia55

Derrinallum Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia61

Derrinallum

A village of character with Mount Elephant as its backdrop. Mount Elephant is visible for 60km in every direction and looms large on the volcanic landscape.

Darlington

Dry stone walls, weathered windmills, a bluestone bridge and an historic hotel converted to a Bed and Breakfast. Use the tiny village of Darlington as a base for exploring volcanic lakes and plains and southern edge of the Grampians.

Skipton

Skipton offers the visitor a range of wildlife viewing experiences with bird-life on the lake and even a chance to spot a platypus from a viewing platform on Mt Emu Creek. Take a pit-stop here or take to 2 wheels on the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail.

Simpson

Authentic rural heartland just 25km north of the 12 Apostles. Close to 12 Apostles Gourmet Trail businesses including Apostle Whey Cheese, Simpson Snails and Newton's Ridge Estate Vineyard.

Be Inspired

Fog Volcanic Lakes and Plains Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Lismore cafe and antiques Volcanic Lakes and Plains Victoria 1

Lake Purrumbete and Mt Porndon shot from Mt Leura Camperdown Volcanic Lakes and Plains Victoria 1

Lake Purrumbeet Boating Fishing Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Lismore Hotel Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Camperdown Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Victoria Australia1

Camperdown Courthouse and Shire Offices Manifold Street Camperdown Volcanic Lakes and Plains Victoria 1

Cobden Dog Friendly Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Lake Elingamite Cobden Volcanic Lakes and Plains Great Ocean Road Victoria 1

Fog Volcanic Lakes and Plains Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia1

Camperdown Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Victoria Australia2

Mt Noorat Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostels Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Vicoria Australia

Camperdown Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Victoria Australia

Derrinullum Volcanic Lakes and Plains Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Lake Bullen Merri Camperdown Cobden Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Lake Bullen Merri catamaran Camperdown Victoria 1

Pombo Mart Antiques Camperdown Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

Platypus viewing Skipton Volcanic Lakes and Plains 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

AN OUT OF COUNTRY EXPERIENCE!

With a winter carpet of emerald green, morning mist on sapphire lakes, hill walking and charming historic towns you could be forgiven for thinking you had woken up in England's lakes district or the Scottish borders!