From the heart of the Grampians, where woodland walks lead to waterfalls and lakes, where wildflowers bloom and rugged rock formations dominate the horizon - the whole region is captivating. Along with the natural beauty of the Grampians National Park, the regional centres of the Grampians have many surprises. Ararat to Hamilton, Horsham to Stawell, Great Western, Halls Gap to beyond, their only point of similarity is their diversity.

Explore the Grampians for yourself and you will discover that it is the perfect place to take up an exhilarating challenge or simply to relax and unwind.

First settled by sheep and cattle pioneers in the 1840's, the Ararat region rapidly became one of Australia's most prosperous agricultural districts. Following the discovery, by Chinese immigrants, of the rich Canton Lead in 1857, the township of Ararat was born.

It was so called after the nearby Mt Ararat, which had been named by the pioneer, Horatio Spencer Wills, in 1840.

Ararat rapidly became a thriving community, serving a district that continues to be renowned for its production of quality merino wool, a diverse range of crops and fine wines. Ararat's gold heritage is reflected in the town's impressive architecture and the National Trust has classified several buildings. The classical revival town hall was built in 1893 containing a performing arts centre and the Ararat Gallery, exhibiting unusual pieces from fibre and textile art. Tools and artefacts used by Chinese miners and Indian hawkers during the gold-mining era with a collection of Aboriginal artefacts, are now based in the Langi Morgala Museum, a former wool store in Ararat

Take a stroll around the lake in the Alexandra Botanical Gardens, a walk in the fernery, a landscape Japanese island and an orchid glasshouse. Travel to Ararat in March and enjoy, the events including the Jailhouse Rock Festival, the Golden Gateway Festival in October and the Cymbidium Orchid Festivals of September and October.

Four years after Major Thomas Mitchell first climbed and named Mt William, in 1841, Charles Browing Hall became the first European to locate a gap through the mountain range and discover the valley now named after him. Halls Gap - the tourist hub in the heart of the Grampians - is surrounded and protected by Wonderland and Mount William ranges. It is also close to Boroka and Reeds Lookout, McKenzie Falls, Lake Bellfield and Zumsteins Park. 'The Gap' is the perfect place from which to undertake your Grampians experience.

From dawn 'til dusk and all year round, there are plenty of sights and many activities, such as bushwalking, fishing, abseiling and camping. Whether you are on a relaxing 'escape from it all' holiday or stretching your limbs on a 'trek through the wilderness' adventure, Halls Gap provides everything you could need to start your holiday.

Taking a daypack with water and food to picnic amid the birds, flowers and animals of Wonderland is sure to be a memorable experience. There are over a hundred species of birds here, and among the native species commonly spotted are kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, snakes, possums and platypus. The rare brush-tailed rock wallaby is sometimes seen near water at the end of a hot summer day.

There are a number of year-round dirt roads open to conventional vehicles in all but the wettest weather, when a 4WD is essential. Maps and accommodation bookings are available at the Visitor Information Centre in Halls Gap - everything from camping grounds to five-star villas.

Significant aboriginal art sites are dotted around the Grampians, as an insight to the region's earliest inhabitants, visit the fascinating Brambuk Cultural Centre. Some art sites are readily accessible.

A trip to the Grampians wouldn't be complete without driving south towards Dunkeld. The ranges are 95km long and 55km wide and the road follows a beautiful stretch of the Southern Grampians called the Serra Range. Take the winding Victoria Valley scenic road along the mountains, past towering Mount Abrupt to the quiet little town of Dunkeld, it has some good accommodation, and easy-to-challenging walking trails extend into the ranges from the town.

From the local village stores, the taste tempting wineries and colourful galleries, to the majesty of the Grampians National Park, with its wildflowers and waterfalls, Halls Gap is the pulsing heart of this impressive region.