Settled on the banks of the Eumeralla River, Macarthur is the gateway to the spectacular Budj Bim National Park.
It’s a magnet for those seeking adventure in the nearby National Park’s hiking and biking tracks, lava canals and rare caves. While Budj Bim’s rich indigenous history and World Heritage listing puts Macarthur on the radar, there’s more to this quaint town than meets the eye.
Add these to your must-do list: sipping a glass of fine red at the local winery, marvelling at the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere, or stepping out on a self-guided historical tour of town.
Summer in Macarthur
Summer is the season for family fun in Macarthur. Enjoy a spot of tennis on the astroturf. Sizzle up those sausages on the undercover BBQ while the little ones burn up energy in the fully-fenced playground. Dip a toe in Macarthur’s ultimate country pool complete with waterslide, and cool down with an ice-cream on the sprawling lawns. Embrace the town’s warm community feel.
Heritage Trail
Time-travel to a hidden past as you follow the Macarthur Heritage Trail. Discover a series of plaques telling the story of times-gone-by, from the old Baker’s Shop to the police gaol cell. Visit the courthouse and explore a rich archive of family lines, news and tales from the past. Book ahead to explore the exact replica of Gordon Lucas’ Barber Shop, complete with memorabilia and rare advertising from the 1930s-70s.
Macarthur Wind Farm
Not only is the Macarthur Wind Farm Australia’s largest, it’s the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. Wind your way down country lanes, and just five minutes from the centre of town you’ll find the turbines spinning in the breeze. Head out during a blue-sky-day to snap a dreamy shot, or for something truly spectacular, rise early and watch the sun creep up over the wind farm. It’ll bring with it a palette of colours to make any Instagrammer jealous, stretching as far as the eye can see.
Tumuli Lava Blisters
A rare site to behold! The Tumuli Lava Blisters are one of only three sites in the world where this geological phenomenon occurs. The blisters formed when lava flow spread from Mount Napier and formed a thin crust. When pressure from beneath forced the crust to crack open the hot lava bubbled up and formed mounds, each the size of a small house. You can eyeball the blisters from Old Crusher Road near Byaduk, 20 minutes from Macarthur. The tumuli are on private property, so please view them from the road unless you’re with an accredited tour operator.
Suffoir Vineyard
Suffoir Vineyard, a family owned and operated boutique winery, brewery and cidery has a selection of wines and craft beers to choose from, including our very own Pinot Noir!
The cellar door is open to the public offering wine tastings, beer paddle tastings, cellar door sales, cheese platters and a range of other services.
Macarthur Hotel
Discover a local treasure — Victoria’s third oldest pub complete with circa 1860 bluestone walls, baltic timber flooring and timber bar. Now operating as a retreat for war veterans, the Macarthur Hotel continues its age-old watering hole tradition for a limited clientele and during special events.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
