Volcanism has been a feature of the landscape of Western Victoria and Southeastern South Australia over the past five million years. Nearly 400 volcanoes have been catalogued, mainly scoria cones with extensive basaltic lava flows, but also including nearly 40 maar craters with ash deposits. You will visit Mount Eccles where there are fascinating examples of extinct cones and lava flows.
Aboriginal heritage was well established in Victoria long before the arrival of European settlers. Many aboriginal tribes resided alone the coast line and inland around Mount Eccles and Lake Condah to the west of the Mount Eccles National Park. This region includes some of the oldest aquaculture (eel traps) built by the local Gunditjmara tribes, on a 19,000 year old lava flow.
Day three itinerary
View Australian Fur Seals
Drive through the Volcanic Plains
Visit Mount Eccles, a captivating example of extinct volcanic cones and lava flows. Mount Eccles National Park, 6120 ha in size, stands at the western edge of the volcanic plains that stretch from Melbourne to Port Fairy, extending northwards to Hamilton and Ararat.
Aussie BBQ lunch at Mt Eccles
Mount Napier (a true volcanic cone, dated at 8000 years) in nearby Mount Napier State Park.
Just south of Dunkeld, we gain our first views of the Grampians jutting above the flat western plains.
We enter the Grampians National Park via Victoria Valley and explore the western ranges of the Park
The Chimney Pots (wonderful sculptured rock stacks)
Harrop Track (extensive views of the Western escarpments)
Koori Rock Art site
Red Rock Road (Wild life and rugged peaks)
Genelg River Road into Halls Gap (wetlands, river red gums, wildflowers and native animals )
Overnight in the Halls Gap Colonial Motel
