Elliminook Homestead - Local Attractions

The Birregurra township

Regain the feel of Australian country life in Birregurra, one and half hours from Melbourne and half an hour from Lorne on the Great Ocean Road in south-western Victoria.
The historic town’s church spires line the ridge overlooking the Barwon River on its journey from the lush Otway Ranges where rainforests, wildlife, waterfalls and clean fresh country air dominate.

Quaint old shops and buildings line Birregurra’s active main street which retains a post office, internet facilities, refreshments, restaurant, hotel, antiques and gift shops. The original Birregurra butcher shop with sawdust floors, wooden chopping table and meat passed out through a hatch in the fully fly screened shop has been reinvented as Birregurra Farm Foods a modern gourmet butcher and licensed delicatessen with a wonderful selection of meat wine and cheese.

The township has even declared itself “Plastic Bag Free” so get out the calico bags, wicker baskets or at least recycled bags and make it at date to enjoy the Birregurra Weekend Festival in early October.

The Birregurra Weekend Festival reflects all the good things country life has to offer. The main street is closed to accommodate dozens of stalls offering food, clothing, jewellery, books and curios and nearby there are car displays, dog jumping, children’s entertainment, a Farmers’ Market on the Sunday morning plus the very popular animal nursery. An impressive line-up of musicians provides free entertainment all weekend.

An Art Show is held with the opening night on the Friday with prize money of $500 for each category. Guests enjoy local Otway Estate wines and nibbles throughout the evening. All art works are available for sale.

Colac Botanic Gardens

These gardens were designed by William Guilfoyle the famous gardener of the late 19th century who designed many private gardens and Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens. Best viewed on foot it can also be driven through and refreshments are available at the Botanic Café and Gallery the former head gardener’s cottage

Great Ocean Road / Twelve Apostles

The Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles rock formations are amongst the tourist icons of Victoria. The road is carved out of the towering cliffs of the Otway Ranges with magnificent ocean and coastal views. The Twelve Apostles make an imposing sight east of Port Campbell and the awesome Loch Ard George should not be missed.

Lake Elizabeth, Forrest

This beautiful lake, twenty minutes from Birregurra, was created by a huge landslip in the 1950s. Flooded trees stand stark in the lake which is home to platypus and many aquatic birds. A walking trail to and around the lake through the forest is a beautiful prelude to the Lake itself. Tours can be arranged with Paddle with the Platypus for early morning and evening canoe trips to view the lake and its wildlife

Red Rock , Alvie

This is the cone of one of Australia’s youngest extinct volcanoes and offers extensive views from the two lookouts and is within 25 minutes of Birregurra.

Local Wine and Produce

The rich rolling volcanic hills and plains of the district produce an abundance of produce. Household names include Bulla and Regal cream and icecream products made in Colac by five generations of a family owned company. Bonlacs Western Star Butter and a range of cheeses are made from local milk. Timboon farmhouse cheese products are locally made. Local manufactures include Birregurra Ice-cream, Irrewarra Sourdough bread and Irrewarra Homestead Ice - cream. Berry farms at Pennyroyal, Irrewarra and Gellibrand provide self picked strawberries, blueberries and other fruit in season ( November to April ) Wine grapes are grown in several areas with local wineries including Otway Estate near Gellibrand, Red Rock near Alvie and Pettavel (with a great restaurant) near Moriac all providing tasting facilities. Birregurra Farm Foods in the Main Street is open everyday and sells a wide range of local and other wines, prize winning sausages and speciality meat cuts and an interesting selection of cheeses.

Otway Ranges

The Otway Ranges are soon to become a National Park running from Anglesea to Lavers Hill. This temperate rainforest area is lush with tree ferns, huge mountain ash and several cascading waterfalls. The 600 metre long Otway Fly Tree Top Walk gives a spectacular view of many trees and plants. It is easy to spend a day absorbing the Otways magic.

Walking tracks

With many forests surrounding the area, you will find walking a great pastime to be had by all. Whether you prefer a short stroll or a day long stride, we can help you with local knowledge. Native fauna and flora is in abundance in the sub tropical rainforest areas.