Great Western
VIC 3374 • Victoria
About Great Western
Great Western is a small historic town in the Wimmera region of Victoria, located on the Western Highway approximately 225 kilometres north-west of Melbourne within the Northern Grampians Shire. The town sits 19 kilometres north of Ararat and 16 kilometres south-east of Stawell, nestled in wine-growing country at the eastern edge of the Grampians region. European settlers arrived as sheep graziers in the 1840s, with the township growing during the Victorian gold rush and the Post Office opening in 1858. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 425 residents.
Great Western is celebrated as one of Australia's premier wine villages, home to the iconic Seppelt Great Western winery — featuring over three kilometres of underground tunnels ("drives") originally carved by unemployed gold miners to age sparkling wine — and Best's Wines (Concongella vineyard), one of Australia's oldest family wine estates. The town hosts the annual Great Western Cup horse racing carnival on Australia Day and a popular rodeo. Visitors and locals enjoy the heritage streetscape with its general store, hotel, and historic churches, while the surrounding Grampians landscape offers world-class natural attractions within easy driving distance.
Great Western falls under postcode 3374 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- V/Line coach — Melbourne (Southern Cross) Approx 2 hr 45 min - 3 hr via Ararat
Commute to Melbourne CBD
🛣️ Western Highway (A8) provides direct route to Melbourne; Stawell is 16 km north-west for local services
The small village centre has a general store and hotel within walking distance, but most errands require a car to Stawell or Ararat
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
No schools listed for this postcode.