Local Attractions

Horsham Regional Art Gallery

Established in 1973, Horsham’s Art Gallery is a relatively new regional art gallery of Victoria. It began as a one-room gallery within Horsham’s public library building, moved in 1983 to the former municipal offices and is now one of country Victoria's biggest and best galleries.

The 1930’s Art Deco building provides elegant but intimate, spaces for the display of art work. In addition to the Mack Jost Collection, the Gallery also has a substantial collection of photography, with over 800 works by major Australian photographers. Another focus for the collection is art work with a regional connection through artist or subject matter.

Horsham Botanic Gardens

These gardens date back to 1878, when a block of 16 ha (40 acres) was reserved on the north side of the Wimmera River. At the time, the land was open woodland dominated by Sheoak and Black Box, with River Red Gums along the river and Grey Box further inland. The original layout of the gardens was by William Guilfoyle, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, who visited the site and drew up plans in 1880.

However, what you see today is nothing like the wide open parkland intended by Guilfoyle. There are several distinct areas: the formal gardens, which most people know as “The Botanical Gardens”; a wetlands area; the riverside; the "urban woodland"; the tennis and croquet clubs; and the caravan park. The formal gardens contain a number of specimen trees, some being among the first planted soon after 1880. There are shaded lawns, flower beds (a dahlia bed has become a tradition), a rose garden, barbecue and play area, and even a pond in the shape of Australia. The site is a significant aboriginal site, with some of the trees around the wetland showing signs of bark removal well before European settlement.

Gallery Alley Paintings

Paintings by young people, inspired by works in Horsham Art Gallery's collection

The Maker's Gallery & Studio

Gallery for local arts and crafts, upstairs studio for local arts groups

Mackley Fine Art

Olde Horsham Western Highway

Old Mill Furniture

35-39 Wawunna
Specialising in Australian hardwood furniture

Oasis of Wellbeing

48 Wilson St.
Café with exhibitions and occasional live performances.

Redgum Art Gallery

1 Errett St
Paintings and craft by Marie Anson. Open by appointment.

Wesley Performing Art Centre

Live performances of theatre & music

Horsham Town Hall

Live performances and events. 1938 Art Deco

Centre Cinema

Three theatre spaces

Police Paddock

Another good place to walk and observe local flora and bird life. Collect maps and flyers from reception.

The Wool Factory

A unique, community based project, staffed by people with disabilities, producing some of the world's finest wool. Guided tours are available.

Golf Course

Horsham's beautiful 18 hole Golf Course is rated in the top 100 of Australia, with a professional shop and fine bistro.

Horsham Racecourse

Excellent facilities and an exciting racing program. 

Walk the Wimmera River

Download this historic walk: Walk the Wimmera Rever

Horsham Aquatic Centre

The new centre offers state of the art facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools and full gym facilities. Complimentary membership for all Capital Horsham guests.

Stone Forest Adventure - Mini Golf

Try your hand at the newly established Stone Forest Adventrue 18 hole mini golf course, located beside Toys Garden Restaurant. The course is as stunning as it is challenging. Or view the Great Wall of Horsham a work in progress once complete will run 200 metres around the stone forest golf course and gardens.

Lanes & Games - Ten Pin Bowling

Spend your morning or afternoon at the Horsham Lanes and Games indoor facility located off Dimboola Road the complex offers 12 lanes for ten pin bowling and video games, a great place for the whole family to enjoy.

MOUNT ARAPILES

Often referred to as Victoria’s Uluru (Ayers Rock), Mt Arapiles is a dramatic quartz and sandstone landmark on the Wimmera Plain that rises steeply to 230 metres. Drive, walk, cycle or climb to its summit to take in great views of the surrounding landscape, or take one of numerous trails that crisscross the rock through spring wildflowers.

Mt Arapiles is widely regarded as Australia’s best rock climbing area and is internationally renowned, offering more than 2,000 different climbs on its many cliffs, crags and pinnacles. Instruction in rock climbing is available locally.

To reach the summit, choose between two short but steep walking tracks from Centenary Park at the base or drive along Lookout Road, which winds its way up to a car park near the summit, where a short track leads to the scenic lookout.

Near the top of Lookout Road, a side road to the right leads to the Bluff picnic area and more great views. The vehicle track that circles Arapiles is suitable for cycling and driving and is a good walk in wildflower season, although all but the eastern end of the track is closed to vehicles during winter.

Most of the Arapiles plateau is covered by low, open forest of box, buloke and white cypress pine. Below the plateau, yellow gum woodland is found. Throughout the park, wildflowers bloom in spring. About 500 species of native plants are found in the park, including several rare or endangered species such as rock wattle and skeleton fork-fern.

Mt Arapiles is home to a variety of animals and 109 bird species have been recorded in the area, including the peregrine falcon, rainbow bee-eater, Gilbert whistler and southern scrub robin. Kangaroos can be seen grazing the lower slopes and possums come out at night to forage in the tree canopies. In summer shingle-back lizards and eastern brown snakes can be seen soaking up the warm sun. 

Courtesy of Tourism Victoria

THE GRAMPIANS

Discover grand and rugged mountain ranges, spectacular wildflower displays, a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, and a wealth of Aboriginal rock art sites in the Grampians National Park. More info here

Courtesy of Tourism Victoria