This is a pretty major winery, so it's not the type that I would generally visit, except that I do…read morelike visiting random places, including wineries, so I decided to pay it a visit. It certainly is pretty professionally set up, but like a lot of wineries that I have visited, they have some outdoor seating, and a good selection of wines. The thing is that they tend to be new releases, so they really haven't quite reached the shelves yet. Hey, it wasn't bad actually.

Iconic Winery This is an amazing winery with lots of history…read moreand lovely grounds. We turned up late in the afternoon, so didn't have a booking or time to make a booking for a tour of the underground cellars (longest in Australia). We did have time for tasting though and the cellar door staff took the time to tell us a little about history of the winery which was great!!

Superb winery. Beautifully located in an elevated location with lovely gardens lining the road in…read more Hard to praise the winery and its staff member enough for a wonderful tasting here today. The wine is of a very high quality but generally very accessible and well priced. We bought several sparklings and reds and left extremely happy with the product and the excellent service. Bravo. Do not miss this winery.

What surprised me about this place was that you could get coffee here. Mind you, since I'm hardly…read morean expert on wineries, I can't actually say whether that is something particular about this winery, or whether most of them do it (though I admit that I can't quite remember seeing any coffee machines at other wineries I've visited). So, yeah, this place wasn't bad, and the coffee was pretty good as well. I certainly liked it.

This is not a hugely professional set up, and in fact appears to be more of a hobby winery. Mind…read moreyou, they were pretty friendly, though there really isn't much in the way of tables and chairs about. Actually, it can be somewhat tricky to find, especially since it is on a back road just outside of a small country town of little significance (except for it being the birth place of Australian football). Yeah, the wine was pretty good, and the service was too, it was just a shame that they didn't have much in the way of seating.

No, you cannot spend a weekend in the Grampians without spending some time devoted to the first…read moreinhabitants who have lived in this area for over 5,000 years. This cultural centre is award winning, it was designed in the shape of a cockatoo. You get the opportunity to learn all about the beautiful Aboriginal culture. There are films in the theatre (for a small price, and they run almost every hour, call ahead to double check). They have a room for activities where you can decorate your own boomerang. As you meander about, you learn the significance of the culture, and what the land meant to these people. You learn of their fate once Europeans settlers came in and how they were taken advantage of. It was heart wrenching to read about, I found myself getting a sense of anger and sadness in how ignorant people were and can be. It can shake a person up. *Bring a gold coin donation to enter* The gift shop you enter and exit through. I must say, this gift shop is hands down the best most authentic I've been to in Australia. Most of the products are created by Aboriginal artists. High five to supporting the Cultural Centre! And I must note, the cafe. The Bush Tucker Cafe has some fun traditionally bush tucker foods. Haven't had kangaroo or croc or emu yet? Give it a go. When in Rome right?

I can't say much about it because I came here in winter and I did everything I wanted to do by…read moremyself but this is the perfect place to plan your activities for your stay. Some rangers will happily help you and inform you about the park. AND A small cafe inside where I had a gorgeous sweet potato, bacon and red pepper soup. Yummmmmmy You can taste some "bush food" here as well, kangaroo pie, croc salad, emu... Haven't tried but you can give it a go !

In my view, one of the truly great Australian wineries. Been coming here for nearly ten years…read more Summerfield's reds are the stuff of legend and are extremely highly rated. Came here again today. The wines were beautiful. Bought half a dozen, and my friends bought more. The Shiraz in particular is spectacular. Among the best in the country. If you're interested in good wine you cannot fail to go here. It's exceptional.

Okay, this is probably day-trip territory for those who live in Melbourne, but at least they have…read moreregular trains running up here. Anyway, J-Ward is the restored remains of a prison for the criminally insane. In fact it was a part of the other Insane Asylum that is located further down the road. You can really only go inside on guided tours, which do run regularly, though not daily. They also have specialised tours, such as staying the night in the cells (which the haunted aspect of it does add a bit of colour too it). Great look into the past.

So many things to say... I will start with the good... doing the Ode right on 6pm was a surprise…read morebut loved... I would like to see it in more RSL's. The food was yummy, large portions and came out quickly and all together, which is important when travelling in a group... The lady who served us... another story... we aren't from Ararat and didn't know to read everything as we walked in the RSL... now I am a person who reads a menu online before attending a place... I had already decided I would like to try the home-made foccacia... as I ordered it, I was told they were sold out, not something we were told from the male who escorted us to our table... I didn't know what else I wanted to order... instead of saying she would come back... the server looked at me and said "hurry up love, I've got a lot of other tables to serve"... it was said in a brisk, rude tone which quietened me down as I really don't like upsetting people... instead of staying after our meal and enjoying dessert or a few more drinks, we left... Ambience and food 100% but service... definitely not... Next time we return to Ararat, we will not be going to the RSL...

Dinner in Ararat This is a good option for a pub-style/RSL…read moredinner in Ararat. It's standard pub fare and it was probably the busiest spot in town. We thought that the roast of the day (roast lamb) was great - but didn't enjoy the Angus beef burger as much.