Ararat, Melbourne VIC
Europeans first settled the Grampiansn region in the 1840′s, after Major Thomas Mitchells expedition of 1836 revealed prime grazing conditions in the area. Horatio Spencer Wills was one of the first to arrive. Wills camped near a large bald mountain which he named Mt Ararat, for, as he said “Like the Ark we rested there.” The discovery of the rich Canton Lead by Chinese prospectors in 1857 precipitated a gold rush, with over 20,000 people flocking to the area to find their fortune. This history is retold in the towns two largest touris attractions Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre and J Ward, originally a County Gaol until 1887 when the Lunacy Department took it over to house the criminally insane and closing in 1991, guided tours are held daily. Today the town is the commercial centre of a prosperous farming and winegrowing region. A number of events are held throughout the year including Ararat’s JailHouse Rock Festival in March, the Cymbidium Orchid Festival in September and October and The Golden Gateway Festival in October.
Ararat a vibrant rural city at the heart of a remarkable region, a destination rich in heritage with a wealth of attractions on offer. Natural attractions, heritage walks, Museums, wineries and Festivals and Events.
Economy
Primary industries in the region include wool, beef and wine. A regional campus of the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE is located in Ararat. The town has a regional airport YARA (ARY).
HM Prison Ararat is located in the town.
Tourism
Ararat is an ideal base for exploring the regions many natural attractions including the Grampians National Park, Mt Langi Ghiran, Mt Cole, Mt Buangor, Ararat Hills Regional Park and the Pyrenees Ranges. Ararat is also the gateway to the Grampians Wine Region .
Tourist attractions include:
- J Ward, a lunatic asylum for criminally insane closed in 1991 and now a museum taking tours daily.
- Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre
- Ararat Regional Art Gallery
- Ararat Railway Heritage Museum
- Langi Morgala Museum
- Numerous local wineries
- The Golden Gateway Festival
- Jailhouse Rock Festival
- Challicum Hills Wind Farm
Transport
The city is located on the Western Highway. Ararat station is serviced by V/Line with coaches and trains running daily to and from Melbourne, as well as The Overland service from Melbourne to Adelaide. Since 2008 the Ararat Transit bus service has operated around the city 5 days a week, providing 86 services on three routes, connecting with train services. Before this time it operated three days per week and offered 30 services.
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