One Tree hill

Just to the west of Ararat are the Ararat Hills, the highest of which is One Tree Hill. The views from the lookout on the hill are well worth the detour, with the entire length of the Grampians along the western horizon and Ararat and Langi Ghiran to the east.

Despite extensive clearing after the gold rush, One Tree Hill has retained some very old eucalypts, some of the oldest in the country I was told when I just happened to bump into Stan Kelly when I was up there one day...  and if anyone knows, it would be him.

Looking West

Looking East

There's an annual time trial up the hill, The Golden Mile Hill Climb, and anyone who has ridden a bicycle up there will tell you it's one very steep mile indeed. Perhaps they should have a cycling equivalent of this petrol head event.

But for most of the year it's a peaceful spot and a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset.