Further afield
Ararat
The gateway to the Grampians, the former gold rush town of Ararat – established in 1856 – embraces its chequered history with the J Ward museum. Formerly a jail, then an asylum, it only closed its doors to the criminally insane in the 1990s. This haunting yet fascinating place is a reminder of the barbaric treatment of those suffering from mental illness not all that long ago.
Great Western
It’s not just the Yarra Valley that has great wineries in Victoria. On the way back to Melbourne, stop off at Seppelt Wines. One of the first places in Australia to produce authentic methode champenoise bubbly after bringing renowned Champagne maker Charles Pierlot from France in the 1890s, it offers unique tours of the 3km underground cellars. After building up an appetite and a thirst, enjoy a wine tasting followed by a mezze platter overlooking the vineyards.