Casterton is one of two major towns along the highway between Hamilton in Victoria and Mount Gambier
in South Australia. It was founded in 1846 and was visited 10 years earlier by Major Mitchell in his extensive
explorations. The whole area has an association with the original Victorian settlers, the Henty family, who founded Portland and Mount Gambier. Casterton is described as being in the Grampians area of Victoria, which is not very sensible. The Grampians are an hour away. It is more at the centre of a large touring area which takes in the historic towns of Balmoral and Harrow, the Glenelg River and the Princess Margaret Rose Limestone Caves there, the Discovery Bay Coastal Park, a fabulous stretch of beach park between Portland and Nelson, and several waterfalls, mountains and National Parks which are well worth visiting. The renowned Coonawarra wineries and historic Penola are within easy visiting distance. I prefer to call this area the Discovery Coast region and started using that name in my publications some 30 years ago. There is so much to see and do within an hour or so drive, and, if you want, you can also visit the southern Grampians in a day. There is an adequate shopping centre and you can find accommodation using the search engine below. Poet Adam Lindsay Gordon spent much of his time around here and a monument to him will be found opposite the racecourse where he rode steeplechases. PLACES OF INTEREST:
INFORMATION CENTRE: HOW TO GET THERE: By road from Hamilton or Mount Gambier along the Glenelg Hwy | Daily Coach Service |
© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins |