Victoria
Mount Cole Cottage provides accommodation
Leaving Ararat head East towards Beaufort on the Western Highway some 13.5 km from Ararat. On your left is the turn off to Langi Ghiran Forest Park featuring Picnic Ground and Scenic Walk to the reservoir.
Back onto the Highway towards Buangor, on your left is the turn off to Mt Langi Ghiran Winery where sampling and cellar sales are available.
At Buangor visit the old Cobb & Co changing station built in 1860 - a relic of early days where horses were changed on the Raglan-Beaufort and Horsham runs. The Buangor Hotel opposite was built around the same time Buangor General Store built in 1865 has a display of area memorabilia, and on request, a demonstration of whipcracking.
Continue along the Highway for 8 km to a cairn commemorating Major Mitchell's travels in the 1830's and further on to the beautiful Fern Tree Falls turn off with picnic and camping facilities and walking tracks.
Returning to the Highway continue to the Raglan turn off and enter the State Forest. Some Points of interest.
THE GLUT - VIEW A RARE GREVILLEA
BERRY PICKING-VALLEY PARK, RAGLAN - ELMHURST RD., SEASONAL DEC TO FEB.
LONARCH VIEW- AMPHITHEATRE-BEAUFORT RD
ARCHIE LOOKOUT-VIEWS OVER RAGLAN
T.V. RELAY STATION
BEN NEVIS - LOOKOUT AND FIRE TOWER
Return to Ararat through Warrak, a pleasant drive through sheltered plains. Approximate round trip distance - 104 kilometres.
MT. COLE
Enjoy a trip to a scenic Wonderland in the Mount Cole State Forest which straddles the Great Dividing Range some 20 kilometres east of Ararat.
Mount Cole and Mount Lonarch Forest provide wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. There are several Picnic and camping areas at Mount Cole which assure a peaceful holiday close to nature.
The Ben Nevis Fire Tower provides spectacular views with a small picnic area at the base of the Tower with a hut, barbeque, table and toilet. Lookout Hill is the site of T.V. masts and relay stations and facilities include BBQ's and tables.
. There are numerous tracks for Bushwalking. Horse Riding, 4 Wheel-Driving and Trail Bike Riding.
What to look for
Wildflowers including rare Grevillea. Kangaroo and Wallaby. Bird Life - 116 varieties, Deer, Platypus, Echnida, Marsupials. Tree Ferns, Koalašs Ben Nevis Lookout - Fire Tower, Water Falls.
Activities
Bushwalking, Camping, Horse Trail riding, Four Wheel Driving, Trail Bike Riding, Photography, Picnic - BBQ, Berry Picking. Hang Gliding
Mount Cole Forest has become one of the most popular spots in Australia for Hang Gliding enthusiasts to practice their chosen sport.
There are three sites used for take off namely Ben Nevis, Mt Buangor and Mt. Langi Ghiran. It is well worth a visit to the Mount Cole area in the hope of catching a glimpse of these daring people indulging in a most spectacular sport.