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| The beautiful
old Ararat District Hospital
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Ararat (including Elmshurst)
Substantial and attractive service centre.
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 July, the Cymbidium Orchid Festival
in September and the Jailhouse Rock Festival in
March which includes markets, food, dancing,
music, a street carnival, childrens'
entertainment and a ball.
Things to see:
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Tourist Information
The Ararat Visitor Information Centre is located
in Barkly St, between Vincent and Queen Sts. It
is open seven days, tel: (03) 5352 2096, or
freecall (1800) 657 158.
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| The fountain
outside the Town Hall
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Town Hall and Art Gallery
Next to the information centre is the the
Classical Revival town hall which 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
Art Gallery which focuses primarily on fibre and
textile art. It is open weekdays from 11.00 a.m.
to 4.00 p.m. and from 12.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. on
Sundays and public holidays.
Shire Hall
On the other side of the information centre 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: (03)
5352 1862.
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.
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| The Botanical
Gardens |
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: (03) 5352 3621 or (03) 5352 3357.
Canton Lead
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 Canton Lead Memorial
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: (03)
5352 1997.
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: (03) 5354 8247. 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: (03) 5352
2237.
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 (03) 5349 2404.
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: (03) 5354 3207.
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: (03) 5352 3868.
Gliding Club
Grampians Soaring Club on Western Highway, east
of town, past Green Hill Lake
