Discover The Charms Of Horsham In The Rock Climbing Area Of Victoria

With a total population of slightly below 15,000, Horsham Victoria remains the largest city in the Wimmera region of Victoria. About 190 miles (300 km) from Victoria's capital, Melbourne, the town grew as a result of the produce that is grown in the Wimmera plains. Horsham's greatest claim to fame is its close proximity to 2 of the most well known rockclimbing areas in Australia - the Grampians and Mt. Arapiles.

Mt. Arapiles is an unmissable sight from the Wimmera Hwy. . It juts proudly out of the surrounding landscape almost as dramatically as Australia's most famous "rock" - Uluru. You can easily go through the tiny town of Natimuk, the nearest town to Arapiles, though. Aside from a couple of businesses for locals, Natimuk is dedicated to servicing the needs of the tens of thousands of rock climbers who make the pilgrimage to this world famous rock climbing Mecca each year.

A large campground sits at the base of Mount Arapiles. The campground has all the basic amenities like toilets and showers, but its main attraction is the mix of campers who stay there. You hear French, German, Japanese and other foreign languages being spoken all around you. Fortunately, most of the visiting rock climbers also speak English, so at night, everyone gathers into groups around their campfires to discuss their day's adventures on the cliffs and swap notes about climbing routes and gear.

Its actually too bad in a way that Arapiles is so well known for climbing, because there is so much more the area has to offer. Particularly during wildflower season, it can be spectacularly beautiful and as much of a bird watcher's heaven as it is a rock climber's nirvana.

Because of Horsham's close proximity to Mt. Arapiles, it is where the campers and climbers go to stock up on supplies and take a rest day from climbing. After enjoying a hearty meal, lots of them decide to stay overnight. Others make it their rest stop before moving on to the next stage of their climbing trip.

Horsham is only 46 miles (75 km) from the spectacular Grampians National Park. There are several comfortable camping spots in the Grampians, but many rockclimbers choose to do it the hard way. The bolder and more veteran climbers hike into difficult to access areas and take on steep, long "multi-pitch" climbs on awe-inspiring red sandstone ciffs. Sometimes, they are forced or decide to spend the night in tiny caves high on the cliff face. While tying yourself against a cliff face may not be the best way to get a good rest, it's a great way to impress other climber's when you return to Mount Stapylton's more comfortable surrounds.

Horsham may not have a history as a holiday destination, but that is changing as tourists discover all it has to offer. For one thing, it has a large arts and crafts community who showcase their creations in the town. For another, all the produce that grows in the Wimmera finds its way first to Horsham and is featured in the freshly cooked and hearty meals served in the many restaurants and cafes in town. Also, you cannot get past the fact that a Horsham accommodation is a lot more comfortable than a campsite in the Grampians or at the base of Mt. Arapiles. Next time you're in the area, treat yourself to a break from the road or the rocks and stay in Horsham.