Things to do in Dunkeld, Victoria

The best things to do in Dunkeld, Victoria, include dining at the Royal Mail Hotel, walking up the Piccaninny and climbing Mount Sturgeon.

Most visitors to the Grampians region of Victoria prefer to stay in Halls Gap. The pretty village teems with kangaroos and offers easy access to top Grampians attractions such as the Boroka Lookout, the Halls Gap Zoo and Mackenzie Falls.

Book in advance for the best deals on Dunkeld accommodation.

But Dunkeld at the southern end of the Grampians offers a quieter alternative. Dunkeld, Victoria, is where you end up if you drive north via Penshurst from Warrnambool or the Tower Hill Reserve in Koroit after finishing the Great Ocean Road. As such, it’s a logical spot to stay if you want to loop back to Melbourne via the Grampians.

Things to do in Dunkeld, Victoria: Royal Mail Hotel

Racing fans will know Dunkeld from the Dunkeld Racecourse, but the town is best known for the Royal Mail Hotel.

This Dunkeld restaurant was at the forefront of movement showing that regional dining in Australia can be top quality. The Royal Mail Hotel is one of Australia’s first genuine destination dining restaurants outside of the big cities. It is split into two sections – the Wickens fine dining restaurant and the more casual Parker Street Project.

Up to 80% of the Royal Mail Hotel’s produce is grown in the enormous kitchen garden, while the 30,000 bottle-strong wine cellar has understandably won several awards. Be warned, though – if you want to dine at the Royal Mail Hotel, you need to book well in advance.

Things to do in Dunkeld, Victoria: The Piccaninny and Mount Sturgeon

For other things to do in Dunkeld, the Dunkeld Arboretum is pleasant enough, but you’re really here to see the Grampians. The two main spots in Dunkeld are the Piccaninny and Mount Sturgeon.

Also known by its local Aboriginal name of Bainggug, the Piccaninny is reached via a fairly easy 2.4km walk. There’s an elevation gain of just 148 metres. But there’s a good chance of seeing Grampians wildlife on the trail through the woods.

Once at the top of the Piccaninny, you’ve got good views of Mt Abrupt to the north.

What to do in Dunkeld, Victoria: Mount Sturgeon

Getting to the top of Mount Sturgeon (Wurgarri) is trickier. But it offers even better views over the ranges and volcanic plains. It’s a 7km return hike from the Mount Sturgeon car park, which should take around three hours. That walk, however, is often over rough ground and can require water crossings. A decent level of fitness is required for the Mount Sturgeon walk.

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