Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Horsham, Australia

In the western plains of Victoria, Horsham is a well-preserved agricultural city situated along the Wimmera River.

This river flows to the south, bordered by parkland and adorned with a newly constructed suspension bridge commemorating the centenary of World War I.

As a regional hub, Horsham offers a diverse selection of shops and dining options, along with a distinguished cultural venue in the multimillion-dollar Horsham Town Hall.

By venturing just a short distance from the city center, you can quickly arrive at the stunning Grampians Range, the wildlife-abundant Little Desert, or the base of Mount Arapiles, a highly regarded climbing destination in Australia.

1. Public Art & Heritage Trail

Horsham boasts approximately 180 years of European history, which is evident in the architecture of the central business district (CBD) and the verdant riverside area just to the south.

If you wish to explore the city thoroughly, you can embark on this 29-stop trail that flows through the city center and proceeds towards the Wimmera River in two distinct sections.

Throughout this route, you will encounter restored heritage structures like the Horsham Theatre (1926), the old Methodist Church (1912, now the Wesley Performing Arts Centre), and the Jubilee Hall (1924), interspersed with creative public art installations commissioned over the last 25 years.

A map detailing the trail can be obtained from the Horsham & Grampians Visitor Information Centre.

2. Horsham Botanical Gardens

Designed by William Guilfoyle (1840-1913), the esteemed botanist and landscape gardener of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, this exquisite space is located near the banks of the Wimmera River.

Upon entering Horsham Botanical Gardens, you are greeted by towering mature trees, delicate flowerbeds, public art installations, a splendid rose garden, and lush carpeting of lawns that remain vibrant throughout the year.

A leisurely stroll along the gravel and brick pathways brings you under the shade of trees and provides access to a historic gazebo available for gatherings.

Notably, children will enjoy the oversized snakes and ladders game, while the adjacent Sawyer Park features a miniature railway.

3. Horsham Town Hall

To experience culture in Horsham, the Horsham Town Hall is indeed a focal point. This multidisciplinary complex opened in 2016, featuring a renovated and expanded municipal building originally designed by the distinguished Melbourne architect Charles Neville Hollinshed (1899-1993) and completed in 1939. This outstanding example of Art Deco architecture had become outdated by 1980, prompting the regional art gallery to relocate to the former offices.

After extensive planning, the heritage-listed complex was revitalized, transforming it into a vibrant center for entertainment and culture that attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually.

Within this modern facility, there exists a 500-seat theater hosting live music, dance, comedy, musicals, and lectures, alongside a premier regional art gallery, which will be detailed next.

4. Horsham Regional Art Gallery

Retaining its elegant Art Deco facade on Wilson Street, this highly regarded regional gallery has been in existence since 1973 and has developed a robust collection over the past 50 years.

The gallery specializes in Australian photography, housing more than 1,000 pieces from notable artists such as Olive Cotton, Tony Albert, David Moore, and Nicolas Claire.

Additionally, it features a comprehensive catalog of works from artists in the Wimmera Region, alongside the Mack Jost Collection comprised of paintings and works on paper.

With four spaces dedicated to temporary exhibitions, there is always something new to discover, and in June, the gallery serves as a key venue for the ten-day “ART IS…” festival, one of Australia’s most prominent community art events.

5. Weir Park

The Wimmera River is a significant asset for Horsham, and this riverside park located in the southwestern part of the city provides an ideal spot for leisurely afternoons.

This is particularly appealing for families with young children due to the excellent playground situated right beside the water, designating it a safe and secure environment.

Following the excitement, families can enjoy a picnic at one of the modern shelters, with barbecue facilities accessible as well.

True to its name, the park is located at the site of the city’s weir, and it is worthwhile to observe the gates to see if they are operational.

If you are inclined to explore further, you can follow the riverbanks (as discussed next) or cross the river to experience the Yanga track that meanders through wetlands.

6. Horsham Weir to Baillie Street River Walk

The Wimmera River’s banks in Horsham comprise a continuous park, allowing for a peaceful respite as you meander through the shade of the red river gums.

The river becomes particularly picturesque near the weir located downstream at the eastern end, which creates a wide and slow-moving section of water.

This scenery fosters lush greenery and is a haven for diverse birdlife.

While walking the trail, informational signs narrate the history of long-forgotten structures once situated along the river, including bridges, a defunct pumping station, tramline, former weir, a brewery, and a swimming pool.

7. Anzac Centenary Swing Walk Bridge

As you stroll along the banks of the Wimmera River in Horsham, you will encounter this impressive footbridge that spans 100 meters, connecting the north and south banks.

Inaugurated in 2017 in honor of all residents from Horsham and its surrounding district who served during World War I, the Anzac Centenary Bridge stands as a suspension bridge with 30-meter-high supports on either bank.

This vantage point offers a remarkable opportunity to appreciate the expansive width of the Wimmera River in Horsham and to admire the towering river red gums lining the banks.

8. Grampians National Park

Tectonic activity throughout the ages has shaped a sequence of five magnificent sandstone ridges that stretch north to south.

Clearly visible from Horsham, these formations feature steep, rugged slopes to the east and a gradual incline to the west.

The Grampians are well-known for their extensive walking trails, leading you into the range and its beautiful valleys, where a stunning array of wildflowers can be encountered during spring and early summer.

This area is heritage-listed for its rich plant and animal life, and during your journey, you may spot wallabies, kangaroos, emus, and various native bird species.

To the Jardwadjali and Djab wurrung peoples, this land is referred to as “Gariwerd,” and within the national park, you can explore one of the most significant rock art sites in southeastern Australia.

9. Mount Arapiles

Located west of Horsham, the Wimmera plains are interrupted by a striking rock formation that rises 140 meters above the surrounding landscape and reaches an elevation of 370 meters above sea level.

Upon observing the sheer sandstone walls of Mount Arapiles, it becomes clear why this location has been a renowned destination for rock climbing for nearly two centuries.

With over 2,000 climbing routes available along its cliffs and crags, visitors seeking advice or gear will find local businesses nearby to assist.

The charming town of Natimuk, situated close by, features a collection of heritage buildings and an off-road cycling trail that leads through stands of red gums and buloke trees to Mount Arapiles.

10. May Park

Located in the CBD of Horsham, near the railway station, is another tranquil green space distinguished by its tall palm trees.

The immaculate May Park is situated along one of Horsham’s main roads, Dimboola Road, yet its serene ambiance creates a sense of seclusion.

The park features a large open area for various activities, and at the eastern end, there is an all-abilities playground.

Barbecue facilities are available at both ends, along with a series of picnic tables and a wash basin connected by a walking path.

If you wish to enjoy a takeaway meal in the park, you will find cafes and restaurants of both local and chain varieties nearby.

11. Green Lake

This off-stream reservoir is situated beside the Western Highway, southeast of Horsham.

Originally established as an irrigation water supply, Green Lake has since been repurposed to aid in managing water quality within the system following the completion of the significant Wimmera Mallee Pipeline project in the 2010s.

Visitors can enjoy a range of activities at Green Lake, including swimming, fishing, picnicking by the waterfront, and engaging in water sports such as sailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, and motorboating.

On sunny days, you can find ample shade while watching the pelicans.

12. Little Desert National Park

As the name suggests, this national park situated northwest of Horsham safeguards a region characterized by deep sandy soil, contrasting sharply with the fertile farmland that encircles it.

The land has been inhabited by the traditional owners, the Wotjobaluk People, for millennia, and remnants of their cultural history, including shell middens and oven mounds, are evident throughout the area, with stone tools discovered in significant quantities.

Remarkably, the Little Desert is vibrant with life, serving as an Important Bird Area home to more than 200 species.

Visiting during late spring or early summer is ideal, as the temperatures are milder and the bush erupts in a colorful display of blossoms and wildflowers.

13. Rupanyup Silo Art

As you travel into the serene Wimmera plains east of Horsham, you may be surprised by the transformation of agricultural structures.

In Rupanyup, along with nearby communities such as Sheep Hills, Rosebury, Brim, Lascelles, and Patchewollock, the enormous steel grain silos have been beautifully repurposed as canvases for remarkable artworks.

Renowned Russian mural artist Julia Volchkova is responsible for these creations, celebrated for her giant portraits displayed in locations as diverse as Indonesia, Siberia, and Belgium.

14. Barangaroo Boutique Wines

Nestled on a ridge in the pastoral Lower Norton area, just a few minutes southwest of Horsham, is a welcoming vineyard and cellar door.

The landscape at Barangaroo Boutique Wines is picturesque, offering clear vistas of the Grampians to the south and Mount Arapiles to the west.

The winery specializes in single varietal reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz, as well as a refreshing white Vermentino, which is also available in a slightly sweet sparkling version.

Visitors can sample these vintages in a rustic cellar overlooking a timbered creek and the distant mountains.

In the warm summer months, there is a vine trellis available, while in winter, you can cozy up by the fire and discover how the winemakers at Barangaroo Boutique Wines perfect their craft.

15. Horsham Golf Club

The town’s 18-hole golf course, established in 1949, has recently recovered from the bushfires of 2009 that necessitated a complete renovation.

Nonetheless, the Horsham Golf Club is frequently ranked among the top 100 courses in the country, presenting a challenge for golfers of all skill levels due to its numerous sand traps, lengthy par 4s, and intricate raised greens.

As of 2020, green fees for non-members were $50 for 18 holes and $35 for 9 holes. The club also features the only on-site golf shop within the Wimmera, and a driving range that is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.