Penshurst, VIC 3289

Penshurst is a gorgeous, neat and tidy, friendly little town with elm tree-lined streets and well maintained heritage buildings.

There is a licenced grocery store, Bendigo Bank agency, newsagency/milk bar, hotel, hardware store, chemist, hairdressing salon, book store, cafe/antique store, post office with Commonwealth bank agency, 24 hour petrol, 2 primary schools, a pre-school, senior citizens centre, hospital, doctor's clinic, aged care hostel, CFA training ground, Volcano discovery centre, police station, memorial hall, football ground, botanic gardens, bowls club, swimming pool, playground, art gallery, museum and churches.

There are daily bus services to and from the TAFE, Uni and high schools in Hamilton.

Penshurst is at the foot of an impressive dormant Volcano (Mt Rouse) with free BBQ facilities and toilets at the lookout which has amazing views of the Grampians and the coast/Great Ocean Rd. Mt Rouse is a butterfly breeding ground and walking through the clouds of gently fluttering wings is an awesome experience. At dusk, scores of wallabies and kangaroos gather near the crater carpark.

For those into water sports there is Lake Linlithgow, perfect for picnicking, bushwalking or swimming. Most weekends in summer you will find jet ski enthusiasts enjoying the clear waters.

Every year penshurst holds an Easter and Boxing Day horse racing meet as well as rodeos and camp drafts, there is an annual Penshurst Country Music festival and in December there is an agricultural show. In summer there are monthly markets and the town has a lovely community spirit with an active "Advance Penshurst" group and dedicated historical society.

The botanic gardens are home to a fresh water spring which pumps out 250,000 gallons of water every day. Enjoy a picnic or use the free BBQ facilities, there is a playground for the kids and a caravan park with lovely shady sites.

As well as the caravan park and hotel, there are other accommodation options for visitors including farm stays and B&Bs.

The Grampians and Dunkeld are nearby with amazing walking tracks, waterfalls and camping. The Grampians are known as the wildflower centre of Victoria with the most species of wildflowers found here. The area is home to vinyards and some fine dining experiences with one local hotel's chef recently being crowned The Age Good Food Guide's "chef of the year" (2011)

Penshurst is half an hour drive from major service town Hamilton with it's hospital, airport, TAFE and shopping, 45 minutes from Warrnambool and the Great Ocean Rd and a few hours from Melbourne.

There are flights to Melbourne and Adelaide from Hamilton airport several times a day for around $100.