Go High, Go Low

Go High, Go Low

Victoria’s Volcanic Lakes and Plains region is strewn with walking trails and lookouts that traverse the remnants of volcanic craters and lakes and offer spectacular distinctive views across the landscape.

DAY 1

Colac to Terang

Red Rock Lookout is a must-stop to get your bearings of the Volcanic Lakes and plains. Just 10 minute from Beeac or Colac, Red Rock is, just as it sounds, a distinctive rock formation that is red (and beautiful at sunrise or sunset). It overlooks Lake Corangamite, which is the largest lake in the region.

STAY: Terang Motor Inn

Red Rock fast facts:

  • Lake Corangamite is great for birds – not for fishing (it’s very salty)

  • Signage at Red Rock lookout shows the panoramic view of the volcanic peaks you can see and when each volcano last erupted!

  • Travelling along the Princes Hwy you will see the twin peaks of Mount Leura and Mount Sugarloaf to the south of the Camperdown township as you approach it. A trail leads to the lookout from town, or you can drive there and walk an easy 25 metres to a lovely seat to take in either the pastoral views or views over the pretty, leafy township of Camperdown. Camperdown is also a thriving regional town with plenty of shops to explore, some lovely bakeries and cosy pubs serving delicious and hearty meals.

  • Noorat is a small town located just a 5-minute drive off the highway north of Terang. Follow the signs to the Alan Marshal Discovery Trail. This walk to the peak of Mount Noorat offers very distinctive views inside the dormant volcano crater.

DAY 2

Derrinallum to Koroit

Get your maps out for a day of road-tripping through the countryside and seeing some of the best of the Volcanic Lakes and plains. Start early at Mount Elephant. On Sunday afternoon the gate is open to the public to visit, at other times you can make an appointment to access the walk and visitor centre.

Travel on to Penshurst to visit the Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre to find out more about the explosive history of the area, and Mount Rouse Lookout for a spectacular view to Gariwerd (the Grampians).

At Budj Bim National Park, near Macarthur, the refurbished visitor centre has interpretive information on Budj Bim and its cultural significance to the Gunditjmara people. You can walk around Lake Surprise, checking out the lava canal trail, the natural bridge and the brand new cantiveler lookout.

Finish the day with the animals at Tower Hill wildlife reserve near Koroit. This dormant volcano is teaming with native wildlife and is the ideal spot for a picnic or walk amongst koalas, kangaroos and wallabies, emus and native birdlife. Here you can also learn about the history and culture of local indigenous people with a Worn Gundidj Culture and Nature Tour at Tower Hill.

STAY: Harmony at Tower Hill

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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.