Donald
Town
Population 1429
Donald is on the scenic Richardson River and referred to by locals as 'Home of the Duck', owing to the many waterbirds that live in the region. The town also features Bullocks Head, a tree on the riverbank with a growth that looks like its namesake. The 'bull' is also used as a flood gauge – according to how high the waters are, the 'bull' is either dipping his feet, having a drink or, when the water is really high, going for a swim.
Visitor Information
Council Offices, cnr Houston and McCulloch sts; (03) 5497 1300
Nearby national parks
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Grampians National Park
The weathered ranges that form the Grampians rise abruptly from the sweeping Wimmera plains, protecting a remarkable landscape of peaks and...more -
Little Desert National Park
The soil is poor, there is little water and low rainfall, yet Little Desert National Park supports a surprising wealth and diversity of...more -
Wyperfeld National Park
In the state’s arid north-west, Wyperfeld is a vast park of open plains and spreading mallee eucalypts. The usually bone-dry bed of...more
Nearby towns
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St Arnaud
A former goldmining town surrounded by forests and scenic hill country, St Arnaud is a service centre for the district's farming...more -
Wycheproof
Wycheproof is renowned for the long wheat trains that travel down the middle of the main street, towing up to 60 carriages behind them....more -
Warracknabeal
The town's Aboriginal name means 'the place of the big red gums shading the watercourse', a name that is both beautifully descriptive and...more
In Town
Bullocks Head Lookout: beside Richardson River; Byrne St. Steam Train Park: a restored steam locomotive, an adventure playground and barbecue facilities; Cnr Hammill and Walker sts. Historic Police Station: dates back to 1865; Wood St. Shepherds hut: built by early settlers; Wood St. Agricultural Museum: an impressive collection of agricultural machinery; Hammill St. Scilleys Island: reserve on the Richardson River featuring wildlife, walking tracks and picnic facilities; access by footbridge from Sunraysia Hwy. Kooka's Country Cookies: tours and sales; Sunraysia Hwy.
Nearby
Lake Buloke The lake is filled by the floodwaters of the Richardson River, so its size varies greatly with the seasons. This extensive wetland area is home to a variety of birdlife and is a popular venue for fishing, picnicking and bushwalking. The end of the park closest to town is a protected bird sanctuary. 10 km N.Fishing There is good fishing for redfin and trout in the many waterways close to town. Good spots include Lake Cope Cope, 10 km S; Lake Batyo Catyo and Richardson River Weir, both 20 km S; Watchem Lake, 35 km N; and the Avoca River, which runs through Charlton, 43 km NE.Mt Jeffcott: flora, kangaroos and views over Lake Buloke; 20 km NE.
Fishing spots near town
Dimboola 86 km
At first sight the Wimmera River didn’t look special. Barely flowing, it consisted of sandbars and fallen trees interspersed with shallows and a few deeper holes below the timber. I was fishing with local anglers... Find out moreLake Wartook 92 km
Drought and changes to irrigation have left dry many of Victoria’s former favourite fishing lakes. Drive through the cropping plains of the Wimmera and you come across once-famous lakes, including Toolondo,... Find out moreSwan Hill 123 km
From Mulwala to Swan Hill there are excellent fishing opportunities. Some of the top spots along this stretch include Barmah, Echuca and the famous Torrumbarry Weir. The huge Murray cod mounted near the park in Swan... Find out moreLake Bolac 152 km
One of my favourite fishing activities after a hot summer day is to wander along the banks of the Barwon River in Geelong, casting lures for redfin. Redfin are feisty, competitive fish that bite readily and taste great.... Find out moreKonong Wootong Reservoir 172 km
Coleraine in the Western District is in the heart of prime wool- growing country. The small town is famous for its chocolate factory, but less well known is the trout fishery in the picturesque 60 ha impoundment just out... Find out moreBoyanda 183 km
The red ochre cliff near the Boyanda grape farm is a popular launch site for anglers fishing the Murray River midway between Robinvale and the small horticultural town of Wemen. A track follows the river from Happy... Find out moreTol Tol 190 km
I made my first serious Murray cod trip on the Murray River near Robinvale and for years was asked not to write about such a special stretch of river that produces a higher-than-average proportion of big cod. It... Find out moreRobinvale 200 km
We trolled at little more than a fast walking pace, the electric motor giving off a light humming noise. Behind the boat, a couple of large bibbed lures were swimming deep, about a metre off the bottom, their action... Find out moreEuston 200 km
Euston began as Boomiarcool Station in 1847, growing into a small township and subsequently a busy inland port, from which a fleet of paddlesteamers and barges transported the consignments of wool and wheat along the... Find out moreLake Bullen Merri 208 km
Lake Bullen Merri at Camperdown is less than 20 mins drive from Lake Purrumbete. A deep, volcanic lake with saline water, it is stocked with brown and rainbow trout, Atlantic and Chinook salmon, and Australian bass.... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Indigenous tours, Grampians National Park 96 km
Brambuk, the Grampians National Park and Cultural Centre, houses an Aboriginal cultural centre explaining much of the history and stories associated with the area. There is also a bushfoods cafe, where you can try emu,... Find out moreGrampians National Park 113 km
There are many, many reasons to go to this remarkable 1680-square-kilometre national park: its spectacular spring wildflowers, its dramatic cliffs and sandstone features, its bushwalking, the stunning views from its... Find out moreLittle Desert National Park 130 km
This park contains one-fifth of all flowering plant species in Victoria. The elusive mallee fowl and rare scrub robin live amid the 600 kilometres of tracks that go out to remote sections of the park near the South... Find out moreGolden Nugget Discovery Tours, Ballarat 154 km
This carbon-neutral business in Ballarat runs small, personalised tours of no more than six people in the Goldfields region, with three themes – wild nature, gold history and heritage, and food and wine.... Find out moreBrisbane Ranges National Park 198 km
With a vibrant koala population, this relatively small national park only 80 kilometres west of Melbourne has picnic areas, walking tracks through rocky gorges and a basic camping area.... Find out moreWine-tasting - Robinvale 199 km
Robinvale Wines, near Robinvale, produces a wide variety of wines, certified organic and biodynamic, with no chemicals used.... Find out moreMount Eccles National Park 213 km
At Mount Eccles you can walk for 2 kilometres around the rim of a volcanic crater then descend for a swim in the lake at its heart. It is a great spot for a picnic, with koalas and kangaroos, and the camping facilities... Find out moreIndigenous tour - Shepparton 217 km
A free, short, bush-tucker tour is available from the Bangerang Cultural Centre in Shepparton. You will need to book, but you can visit the centre on weekdays to see the wide range of artefacts from the area, and from... Find out morePicnicking at Lake Pertobe Reserve 228 km
Lake Pertobe Reserve on Warrnambool’s foreshore is known as one of the best adventure playgrounds around, with plenty for kids of all ages. There are paddleboats and canoes, a maze and flying fox, free barbecues... Find out moreMelbourne Zoo 235 km
Melbourne has a choice of two excellent zoos: Melbourne Zoo, with more than 320 species on display; and the 225-hectare open range zoo at Werribee, about 30 minutes drive from the city centre (access from the Princes... Find out moreGolf courses around town
Murray Downs Golf & Country Club Resort 126 km
What follows is one of the success stories of golf along the Murray River. Set in the heart of Kidman Reid’s historic Murray Downs sheep station, the Murray Downs Golf & Country Club Resort was constructed... Find out moreEynesbury Golf Club 211 km
Some golf courses, Graham Marsh believes, are created not with strategy in mind, but simply with the aim of penalising bad shots. ‘We are pitching golf at a level that is just too difficult,’ he says.... Find out morePort Fairy Golf Club 229 km
An endearing quality of the great links layouts of Britain and Ireland is their natural setting. Wild, windswept holes rolling between sand dunes that have stood tall for centuries are the norm. The links of Port... Find out moreSanctuary Lakes Resort 232 km
Greg Norman stood on the balcony of a second-storey building in the late 1990s and surveyed the vast plain of salty wasteland before him. Beside him was Bob Harrison, chief course architect of Greg Norman Golf Design.... Find out moreThe Sands, Torquay 247 km
Sands by name . . . Sands by nature. It doesn’t take long to figure out the overwhelming feature of a round at Torquay. Standing on the 1st tee of this Stuart Applebydesigned layout, a blanket of white is... Find out moreThirteenth Beach Golf Links (Creek Course) 248 km
Sir Nick Faldo won six major titles, playing himself into winning positions on the back of strong shot-making, a trait that is highly prized on the courses he now designs. The Creek course at Thirteenth Beach, created... Find out moreThirteenth Beach Golf Links (Beach Course) 249 km
After all the accolades Tony Cashmore received for his design work at The Dunes, on the Mornington Peninsula, he must have felt some pressure to produce an equally fine layout when it came time for his next project:... Find out moreNearby breweries
Holgate Brewhouse 176 km
Paul and Natasha Holgate have travelled a decidedly different path to most other craft-brewery operators over the past decade or so. They started brewing ales from a shed adjacent to their family home in Woodend in the... Find out morePurrumbete Brewing Company (Red Duck) 212 km
Scott and Vanessa Wilson-Browne are another couple of ‘ale changers’ who swapped busy Melbourne careers to move to the country, bring up their young family, and brew and market craft ales. Along the way, they... Find out moreFlying Horse Brewery 227 km
Whales and ales are now the twin attractions for the pretty seaside Victorian city of Warrnambool, following the development of the sprawling Flying Horse Bar & Brewery complex by joint owners Matt Monk, Matt Stewart... Find out moreOtway Estate Brewery 236 km
Located 12 kilometres from Colac, Otway Estate Winery was established in 1983, specialising in cool-climate wines; a microbrewery was added in 2007. Head brewer Luke Scott oversees the production of up to 15 different... Find out more3 Ravens Brewing Company 238 km
This microbrewery began operating from the basement of the successful Thornbury-based engineering company Zetkin and has proved to be an interesting diversion or sideline for the principal business. Some of the company... Find out moreFoster's Group (Abbotsford Brewery) 240 km
Re-branded as the Foster’s Group in the 21st century, Carlton & United Breweries was formed in 1907 through an amalgamation of the city’s six largest beer-makers: McCrackens City Brewery, Victoria... Find out moreMountain Goat Brewery 242 km
Kicking off in 1997, home-brewer Dave Bonighton and music industry booking agent Cam Hines proved that two good mates can start a successful microbrewery with no money, but with unlimited enthusiasm, dogged perseverance... Find out moreCampsites around town
Teddington camping area 58 km
You can camp beside the Upper Teddington Reservoir as long as you set up your tent no closer than 40 m to the water. Fishing and canoing are popular pursuits here, but note that swimming is not allowed in the reservoir.... Find out moreMelville Caves camping area 69 km
This campground is off Melville Caves Rd, signposted off the Wedderburn–Dunolly Rd; the caves were once used as a hideout by bushranger Captain Melville. From the picnic area there’s a short walk to the... Find out moreMountain Creek camping area 76 km
This campground is a few hundred metres north of the small town of Moonambel in Victoria’s Pyrenees, which encompasses a wine-making district. In the vicinity of Mountain Creek is the Warrenmang Vineyard, which... Find out moreLake Lonsdale camping area 77 km
Signposted on the Western Hwy about 4 km north of Stawell, just before Deep Lead, is the turn-off to Sandbar Rd. This road winds its way along the northern edge of compact Lake Lonsdale, providing access to a number of... Find out moreWimmera Lakes Caravan Resort 80 km
The Wimmera Lakes Caravan Resort is out on the Western Highway about 4 km south-east of Horsham. While the comfort and amenities offered by the park are already reasons to stay, the best rationale is that the spectacular... Find out moreStapylton camping area 81 km
This large campground has a mixture of sheltered and open sites, and is situated in the far north of the national park. You can take a short, self-guided walk to Ngamadjidj Shelter, a one-time Aboriginal campsite where... Find out moreCamerons Track Campground 85 km
This camping area, located on Camerons Track some 20 km from Avoca, is suitable for camper trailers, but the Waterfalls camping area is a better option for caravans. Camerons Track is the midpoint of the Pyrenees... Find out moreGreen Lake camping area 87 km
The campsites at Green Lake are surrounded by gum trees. There are also some barbecues here, which are coin-operated. Nearby is a patch of mallee woodland that makes for a nice walk. Follow the sign off the... Find out morePlantation camping area 87 km
The Plantation area is the Grampians’ biggest campground, providing around 30 sites in a pine forest at the northern edge of the national park (technically, just outside it), at the foot of the Mt Difficult Range.... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Wimmera Lakes Caravan Resort 80 km
This is a spacious park on the fringe of Horsham, 4 km south-east of town on the Western Highway. It has a range of facilities including a tennis court and spa. It is a good base for exploring the local area. Bookings... Find out moreHorsham Caravan Park 80 km
Located on the banks of the Wimmera River, close to the town centre, this good quality park is council owned but operated by the YMCA. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies.... Find out moreLake Fyans Holiday Park 91 km
This is a spacious waterfront park on the shores of Lake Fyans, a popular watersports area to the south-west of Stawell. The park has a cafe and also canoes for hire. It is just a short drive to nearby Halls Gap and is... Find out moreParkgate Resort 94 km
This is a very good quality tourist park less than 1.5 km from Halls Gap. With great recreational facilities including a tennis court, this is a popular holiday destination and a great base from which to explore the... Find out moreHalls Gap Caravan and Tourist Park 95 km
We find this large park ideal for a holiday at any time of the year and regularly stay here. Located in the centre of town, it is within easy reach of most of the area’s attractions and makes a good base for... Find out moreIbis Caravan Park 109 km
This park is 3 km south of Kerang, with nice shady spots and a tennis court. It is an excellent overnight stop at a budget price. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies in all holidays.... Find out moreLake Boga Caravan Park 117 km
Squeezed between the Murray Valley Highway and the shores of Lake Boga, this is ideal for an overnight stop or a restful few days; sailing, water-skiing and swimming are popular activities. The park has good basic... Find out moreNhill Caravan Park 120 km
This is a convenient park on the Western Highway, on the western outskirts of Nhill. It has good basic amenities and is conveniently located midway between Melbourne and Adelaide.... Find out moreSwan Hill Riverside Caravan Park 125 km
Within walking distance to the centre of town, and with large expanses of green lawn and a long frontage to the Murray River, this place boasts a heated pool, undercover barbecues and a well-stocked shop. Bookings are... Find out moreBIG4 Swan Hill 127 km
On the northern edge of town, this is a very good quality park that will satisfy the most fastidious traveller. The owner-operated establishment has a range of accommodation and good facilities including a six-hole golf... Find out moreEco-friendly places to stay around town
Pomponderoo Bush Retreat, Dimboola 87 km
With solar power, rainwater tanks and tree planting to offset carbon emissions, these three self-contained timber cabins are a great accommodation option near the north-eastern edge of Little Desert National Park.... Find out moreGrampians Eco YHA 94 km
At this eco-hostel you sleep under roof tiles that are actually solar panels. Any extra power generated is fed back to the electricity grid. The passive solar building, featuring rammed earth walls, also has solar... Find out moreLittle Desert Nature Lodge, Nhill 118 km
Set on 117 hectares of bushland beside Little Desert National Park, the lodge has 24 rooms with ensuite bathrooms, or 16 bunkrooms with shared facilities. By staying here, you are helping support projects such as the... Find out moreMillDuck, Harcourt North 131 km
This strawbale house won a Most Energy Efficient Home award (North West Region) when it was built. More than 1000 trees have been planted on the property since it was purchased, and it is now an alpaca stud. The B&B,... Find out moreAlto Hotel on Bourke 238 km
Although it is not doing anything radical, this plush hotel on Bourke Street is one of the most ecologically aware in Melbourne, and should be commended for its power-saving measures, garbage sorting, supply of... Find out moreRest areas around town
Wooroonook Lake Camp Area 23 km
T/O at Charlton via Borung Highway Large camp area on shores of the lake 14 kilometres west of Charlton. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S36 15.37 E143 11.44 ... Find out moreLake Watchem Camp Area 27 km
T/O 20 km S of Birchip (R) or 34 km N of Donald (L) Large area around a few trees on the edge of the lake 1 kilometre west of Watchem. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S36 08.51 E142 50.52 ... Find out moreTeddywaddy Rest Area 38 km
23 km SE of Wycheproof (L) or 9 km N of Charlton (R) Small area just off the highway among some trees. Good shade. GPS: S36 12.48 E143 21.35 ... Find out moreWycheproof Park Area 39 km
Middle of town Parking area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S36 04.44 E143 13.33 ... Find out moreBirchip Park Area 42 km
South side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. Good facilities. GPS: S35 59.23 E142 54.53... Find out moreSkinners Flat Rest Area 54 km
26 km SE of Charlton (L) or 4 km NW of Wedderburn (R) Small secluded area located 1 kilometre north of the highway in the scrub on the shores of the reservoir. Good shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S36 21.55... Find out moreWedderburn Park Area 57 km
Opposite the bowls club Small town park just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S36 25.04 E143 36.48... Find out moreTeddington Reservoir Camp Area 58 km
T/O 24 km S of St Arnaud (R) or 38 km S of Avoca (L) Large secluded camp area in the forest 6 kilometres south- west of Stuart Mill via Teddington Road. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S36 50.36 E143 15.46... Find out moreStuart Mill South Rest Area 60 km
28 km S of St Arnaud (R) or 34 km N of Avoca (L) Large area just off the highway behind bushes and trees. Good shade. GPS: S36 50.23 E143 19.10 ... Find out moreBrim Rest Area 61 km
20 km N of Warracknabeal (L) or 41 km S of Hopetoun (R) Large secluded area located among numerous small trees 1 kilometre off the highway via the main street of Brim. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S36 04.32 E142... Find out moreRyans Creek Rest Area 67 km
12 km SE Wedderburn (R) or 24 km NW of Bridgewater (L) Small area just off the highway among a few large trees. Good shade. GPS: S36 29.11 E143 42.57... Find out moreMelville Caves Camp Area 69 km
T/O 29 km SE of Wedderburn (R) or 7 km NW of Bridgewater (L) Large area among the trees in Kooyoora State Park, located 21 kilometres west of Inglewood via Kingpower Road. Good facilities. GPS: S36 36.03 E143... Find out moreCanadian Gully Bushland Reserve Rest Area 75 km
57 km SE of Horsham (L) or 10 km NW of Stawell (R) Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 00.21 E142 42.30 ... Find out moreLake Green Rest Area 77 km
12 km SE of Horsham (R) or 55 km NW of Stawell (L) Large parking bay adjacent to the highway overlooking Lake Green. Limited shade. GPS: S36 47.05 E142 17.38 ... Find out moreBurnt Creek Rest Area 79 km
7 km SE of Horsham (L) or 60 km NW of Stawell (R) Large area just off the highway among a few large trees. Good shade. GPS: S36 45.38 E142 15.00 ... Find out moreWail Rest Area 80 km
10 km SE of Dimboola (L) or 26 km NW of Horsham (R) Small area just off the highway near the railway overpass. Reasonable shade. GPS: S36 30.25 E142 06.18 ... Find out moreBerriwillock Park Area 81 km
Middle of town Small town park opposite the hotel on the service road through town. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S35 38.11 E142 59.44... Find out moreStapylton Camp Area 82 km
T/O 18 km SE of Horsham (R) or 49 km NW of Stawell (L) Large area located 15 kilometres south of the highway via Northern Grampians Road and Plantation Road in a natural bush setting in Grampians National Park. Good... Find out moreHorseshoe Bend Camp Area 86 km
T/O at Dimboola Large area located 7 kilometres south of the highway on the banks of the Wimmera River with good facilities and shade in a natural bush setting in Little Desert National Park. NOTE: Access road part... Find out moreGreen Lake Camp Area 87 km
T/O at Sea Lake (R) or Berriwillock (L) Large shady campground located 10 kilometres south of Sea Lake or north west of Berriwillock among numerous large trees on the shores of the lake. Some powered sites available.... Find out moreGreat Western Rest Area 87 km
13 km S of Stawell (L) or 17 km N of Ararat (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S37 08.41 E142 50.33 ... Find out moreTroopers Creek Camp Area 87 km
T/O 42 km SE of Horsham (R) or 25 km NW of Stawell (L) Small area located 17 kilometres south-east of the highway via Roses Gap Road in a natural bush setting in Grampians National Park. Good facilities and shade. ... Find out morePlantation Camp Area 87 km
T/O at Stawell to Halls Gap Large area located 10 kilometres north of Halls Gap via Mt Zero Road in a natural bush setting in Grampians National Park. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS:... Find out moreAckle Bend Camp Area 87 km
T/O at Dimboola Large area located 6 kilometres south of the highway on the banks of the Wimmera River with good facilities and shade in a natural bush setting in Little Desert National Park. NOTE: Access road part... Find out moreNo.2 Creek Rest Area 88 km
59 km S of St Arnaud (L) or 3 km N of Avoca (R) Large area just off the highway among the trees. Good shade. GPS: S37 03.39 E143 27.39 ... Find out moreBridgewater Park Area 90 km
North west side of town via Dunolly Road and Brewery Lane Large area on the banks of the Loddon River. Good shade. GPS: S36 36.04 E143 56.18 ... Find out moreWimmera River Rest Area 90 km
32 km E of Nhill (L) or 6 km W of Dimboola (R) Large open area just off the highway near the river. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S36 25.07 E141 58.53 ... Find out moreHopetoun Camp Area 90 km
On the shores of Lake Lascelles Large area well off the highway on the shores of Lake Lascelles. Good facilities. Limited shade. NOTE: Powered sites available for a fee. Showers available (donation requested). GPS:... Find out moreSmith Mill Camp Area 96 km
T/O at Stawell to Halls Gap Small area located 16 kilometres north of Halls Gap via Mt Victory, Lake Wartook and Old Mill roads. Good facilities and shade in a natural bush setting in Grampians National Park. NOTE:... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Scottish Dancing Country Weekend: June.
Donald Cup: Nov.