Wirrabara

This pretty town takes its name from the Aboriginal term ‘forest with running water’. The Wirrabara Forest is nearby and is a haven for mountain-bike and bushwalking adventurers. There are numerous forest trails you can follow, including a hike from the picnic grounds to the top of the bluff. While here, inspect the Old Forest Nursery and marvel at the King Tree, a 400-year-old gum.

On the third Sunday of the month, you can purchase locally grown food and produce at the Wirrabara Producers Market, located on High Street. Stop for a tasting or two at Blesing’s Garden Wines’ cellar door, nestled near the Wirrabara Forest and Port Germein Gorge.

The small town of Wirrabara has painted itself onto the map with an amazing new silo artwork. Painted on a 28-metre silo, the artwork was recently completed by Australian artist Smug, aka Sam Bates, who spent three weeks in a boom lift to perfect his creation. Known to elaborate his painting to the last detail, Smug paints pieces that express realistic images. Using natural colours, he captured the beauty of Wirrabara and the Australian country.

For panoramic views of native woodlands, Mount Ellen Lookout is worth the two-hour, six-kilometre walk. Another great walking trail is the short Wirrabara Rail Trail section of the Southern Flinders Rail Trail, or walk the Arboretum Trail on the western edge of the Wirrabara township.

To pick up some organic veggies or dried fruits for the road trip, stop off at O’Reilly’s Orchard or Taralee Orchards.