Victorian Volcanic Plains Tour

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Victorian Volcanic Plains Tour

Cultural and Theme Tours
Nature and wildlife
Sightseeing Tours
Walking and Biking Tours
1 min guests
5 max guests

Highlights

  • Explore the stunning volcanic landscapes of western Victoria, revealing the rich geological history of the region.
  • Climb the last active volcano in Victoria at Hamilton, experiencing breathtaking views and unique geological formations.
  • Discover native wildlife at Tower Hill reserve, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of this former maar volcano.
  • Uncover the cultural impacts of Aboriginal and European history, connecting with the land's diverse heritage and stories.

This three-day Signature small group personalised tour lets you discover the geology, extinct volcanoes, waterfalls, lakes, lava tubes, Aboriginal and early European cultural impacts on these plains to present day Australian lifestyle.

The undulating plains of western Victoria are the third largest volcanic plain in the world and are formed of lava flows up to 60 metres thick and are studded with 400 volcanoes which have been erupting over the past five million to eight thousand years ago.

You travel to Ballarat to see the ex-volcanoes of the volcanic uplands making up part of the Great Dividing Range.

At Hamilton, you see impressive waterfalls and climb the last active volcano in Victoria.

In the southern part of the plains you get to see many lakes, which formed after the volcanoes have ceased.

Near Warrnambool, you will visit Tower Hill reserve, which was a maar volcano, today its a animal reserve where you can see native animals and birds.

The Victorian Volcanic Plains are Australia’s most extensive volcanic plains, and are one of the most significant and largest volcanic provinces in the world. The plain stretches across South Western Victoria.

This tour is Ecotourism Certified / Sustainable travel.

Itinerary highlights

Red Rock Lookout

Travelling across the volcanic plains, you will head to Red Rock. Red Rock has over 40 eruption points in the internationally significant volcanic complex, with seven major crater lakes within the scoria cones. From the lookout you can see Lake Corangamite, which is Victoria’s largest natural lake and is RAMSAR listed, you can also see the ex volcanoes of Mount Elephant, Mount Porndon and Mount Sugarloaf.

Mount Leura and Lakes Bullen Merri & Gnotuk

Mt Leura is a beautiful cone and maar system, part of a large volcanic complex. From the top there are excellent views across the volcanoes of the whole eastern volcanic plain landscape.

Mt Sugarloaf is a steep conical accumulation of scoria rising as a high point on the same crater rim as Mt Leura. It formed as a result of lava fountaining from the same point in the crater, building an ever increasing pile of scoria.

Lake Bullen Merri is a 490 hectares lake enclosed in a volcanic crater located on the outskirts of Camperdown. A large and complex multiple maars, the lake system is of international significance and has a richly documented Aboriginal Heritage.

Lake Gnotuk has formed in a single maar crater. Maar lakes such as this rely on ground water seeping into the lake and have no outlet. As a result evaporation has caused Lake Gnotuk to become twice as salty as sea water.

Nigretta Falls and Wannon Falls

You travel to two of the best waterfalls on the volcanic plains.
Nigretta Falls – It is thought that the site where the Nigretta Falls are found may have been the location of a super volcano about 450 million years ago.

Wannon Falls were created by lava flows that surged upstream to the Wannon River. The water which cascades over the 30 metre vertical precipice into a deep plunge pool below is actually flowing over hardened basalt lava. Further downstream rapids wind their way around large blocks of basalt, dislodged over time down the embankments of the narrow valley.

Mount Napier & Byaduk Caves

You climb Victoria’s youngest ex volcano and see the largest set of lava caves.
Mt Napier is the youngest volcano in Victoria and the highest volcano point in the Western District Plains, with many eruption and lava flow features that are remnants from the last stages of volcanic activity 10,000 years ago. Some lava flows reach as far as the sea between Port Fairy and Portland.

Byaduk Caves in Mt Napier State Park are the most extensive and accessible set of lava caves in Australia. Being so young, only 8,000 years old, they are largely unweathered and in their natural state. The caves are accessed through collapsed roof sections and display many well preserved features left by the retreating and cooling lava. The largest tunnels are up to 18 metres wide, 10 metres high, and extend to depths of 20 metres below the surface.

Tower Hill Nature Reserve

You travel to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve.
Tower Hill features a deep circular crater formed some 25,000 years ago and is one of the largest maars in the world, formed when hot rising basaltic magma came into contact with the subterranean water table. The violent explosion that followed created the funnel shaped crater which later filled with water to form a lake and the island that can be observed today.

At Tower Hill you get a chance to find kangaroo’s, koala’s, emu’s and lots of other animals and birds in their natural habitat. You also get a chance to learn about the local Aboriginal culture.

Tour details

  • Cultural and Theme Tours
  • Nature and wildlife
  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Walking and Biking Tours
  • Extended
  • Land – Motorised
  • Land – Self Propelled
  • On-site Experience
  • Private Tour
  • Small Group Tour
  • Basic
  • On demand

Features

Service facilities

  • Family Friendly
  • Non Smoking
  • Public Toilet
Accessibility

This business does not currently offer accessible facilities.

Operation information

Golden Nugget Discovery Tours

Golden Nugget Discovery Tours is a leading Victorian Ecotourism tour operator, we conduct small group nature, sightseeing, heritage and wine tours.

It’s the ideal way for couples, small groups and individual travellers to experience the many regions of Victoria, such as Goldfields, Great Ocean Road, Grampians, Daylesford and Spa country, Murray region, Southwestern coast, Victorian Volcanic Plains plus the Pyrenees and Southern Grampians wine region.

Relive the history and heritage of the gold rush as you visit Ballarat and Bendigo.

Walk with your eco-guide along the Goldfields track to discover wild nature and gold rush relics.

See the rainforests, tall cliffs and 12 Apostles coastal scenery of the Great Ocean Road and the wide wilderness beaches of the Southern Ocean south-west.

Experience the nature of the Grampians with its wildflowers, kangaroos, emus, waterfalls, aboriginal rock art and wonderful views.

Discover Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and the Spa region. This region is famous for its mineral springs and spas.

Experience the Murray River region, with an eco river cruise, National park visits and river ferry boat history at Echuca and Swan Hill.

Travel the Silo Art Trail of the Wimmera Mallee, stopping at the many murals painted on the old grain silos.

The Pyrenees and Southern Grampians wine regions make some of the finest wines in Victoria. Taste the fine wines and food of both regions.

Tags

  • History & Heritage
  • Nature & Wildlife

Accreditations

  • ATEC Tourism Trade Ready
  • ECO Certified (Ecotourism) by Ecotourism Australia

Memberships

  • Australian Tourism Export Council
  • Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation

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