Uncover a hidden gem. Settled on the banks of the Eumeralla River, Macarthur is the gateway to the spectacular Budj Bim National Park.
It’s a magnet for those seeking adventure in the nearby National Park’s hiking and biking tracks, lava canals and rare caves. While Budj Bim’s rich indigenous history and World Heritage listing puts Macarthur on the radar, there’s more to this quaint town than meets the eye.
Add these to your must-do list: sipping a glass of fine red at the local winery, marvelling at the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere, or stepping out on a self-guided historical tour of town.
Time-travel to a hidden past as you follow the Macarthur Heritage Trail. Discover a series of plaques telling the story of times-gone-by, from the old Baker’s Shop to the police gaol cell. Visit the courthouse and explore a rich archive of family lines, news and tales from the past. Book ahead to explore the exact replica of Gordon Lucas’ Barber Shop, complete with memorabilia and rare advertising from the 1930s-70s.
Enjoy a spot of tennis on the astroturf. Sizzle up those sausages on the undercover BBQ while the little ones burn up energy in the fully-fenced playground. Dip a toe in Macarthur’s ultimate country pool complete with waterslide, and cool down with an ice-cream on the sprawling lawns. Embrace the town’s warm community feel.
Not only is the Macarthur Wind Farm Australia’s largest, it’s the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. Wind your way down country lanes, and just five minutes from the centre of town you’ll find the turbines spinning in the breeze. Head out during a blue-sky-day to snap a dreamy shot, or for something truly spectacular, rise early and watch the sun creep up over the wind farm. It’ll bring with it a palette of colours to make any Instagrammer jealous, stretching as far as the eye can see.
A rare site to behold! The Tumuli Lava Blisters are one of only three sites in the world where this geological phenomenon occurs. The blisters formed when lava flow spread from Mount Napier and formed a thin crust. When pressure from beneath forced the crust to crack open the hot lava bubbled up and formed mounds, each the size of a small house. You can eyeball the blisters from Old Crusher Road near Byaduk, 20 minutes from Macarthur. The tumuli are on private property, so please view them from the road unless you’re with an accredited tour operator.
Sign up to get the latest deals, tours & events along the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
