Pomonal, VIC
Pomonal is a picturesque rural village on the eastern slopes of the Mt William Range which is a part of the Grampians. It is 21 km south-west of Stawell, 12 km south-east of Halls Gap and 239 km north-west of Melbourne. The first Europeans to traverse the area were the exploratory party of Thomas Mitchell in 1836 who camped near the present-day site of Pomonal before climbing Mt William.
Squatters soon followed him into the area (see entry on Halls Gap) and goldmining commenced atStawell, Ararat and other local sites in the 1850s. In the early days of the village, fruit-growing was the major local industry. Indeed, by the early 20th century Pomonal was one of the state's major apple-growing districts. The orchards were later superceded by tobacco. Today it is mainly a grazing district although one commercial orchard is in operation.
As this area is noted for its native wildflowers and orchids there are numerous nurseries selling these items. Indoor markets occur on the last Sunday of the month at the Pomonal Hall from 10.00 a.m.
Things to see
Tourist Information
Tourist information concerning the general area is obtainable from the Stawell Visitors' Centre, tel: (03) 5358 2314 or free-call: (1800) 246 880. Information on Grampians National Park is available from the National Park Visitors' Centre, tel: (03) 5356 4381. As far as the immediate area goes, get it straight from the horse's mouth at the Grampians Store which is located on the main road in the middle of Pomonal. This all-purpose newsagents/general store/post office also contains Blue Wren Crafts and Tea Rooms, tel: (03) 5356 6294.
Walking Track
Opposite the store is an information board outlining local accommodation and attractions. There are also some brochures relating to the Pomonal Tunnel Walking Track which starts at this point. The first stage leads through bushland to Tunnel Rd. Alternatively you can drive north towards Halls Gap for 2 or 3 kilometres and turn left into Tunnel Rd and start the walk from the end of that road.
From there the track follows an old bridal trail used early in the 20th century between Pomonal and Myrtlebank homestead where Lake Bellfield is now located. It leads to the top of the Mt William Range, from whence there are outstanding views of the Serra Range adjacent, then it descends to a forest clearing where you will see the old water tunnel dug by hand through the Mt William Range to supply water from Fyans Creek to Pomonal and Stawell. From this point you can return the way you came or continue southwards to a T-intersection. Turn left to the Borough Huts campground or right towards Halls Gap. From the store to the tunnel and back takes about 90 minutes.
Halls Gap Park and Zoo
If you follow the road from Pomonal to Halls Gap for about 7 km you will come to the Halls Gap Park and Zoo. It is open, for a fee, every day but Tuesday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.. There are kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, emus, possums, dingos, deer, waterfowl and other birds, donkeys, ponies and other domestic farm animals, all in a bushland setting with a childrens' play area, barbecues, picnic facilities and a kiosk, tel: (03) 5356 4668.
The Gap Winery
Next to the wildlife park is The Gap Winery which is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday with extended hours in holiday periods, tel: (03) 5356 4252.
Camels and Crafts
About 6 km south of Pomonal on the Moyston Rd, by Lady Summers Bridge, are Grampian Camel Tours (tel: 0409 259 450) and Cavern Crafts.
Bomjinna and Kalymna Falls
By Lady Summers Bridge, there is a turnoff into Long Gully Rd (unsealed) which leads, after 6 km, to a T-intersection. Turn right onto Redmans Rd then, after just 1 km, turn left onto Mitchell Track. It leads, after 3 km, to Bomjinna, a small campground in a quiet wooded area. It is about 7 more kilometres to Kalymna Falls where there is another small campground.
Moyston
Moyston is 21 km south-east of Pomonal on the road to Ararat which is 15 km east of Moyston. Like Ararat it began in the days of the goldfields. The town itself is based upon the old Campbells Reef mine while the Mafeking, Londonderry and Rhymney sites were all located in the district.
The solitary pine tree in the town's Avenue of Honour marks the site of the Campbell's Reef graveyard. There is an old bluestone church and the Moyston general store displays local crafts and has a list of local accommodation. Local poet 'Barry of the Bush' reads his poetry at the store on some evenings, tel: (03) 5354 2575.
There are toilets, a playground and picnic-barbecue facilities at the town oval. The Nanette Bourke studio at 'Mirrabooka' on Greenacres Rd has modern paintings and linocuts for sale, tel: (03) 5353 5600. The only accommodation in town is Crochan Bed & Breakfast on Moyston Rd, tel: (03) 5352 4797.
Nearby Jallukar State Forest contains plenty of wildlife and some old shafts and mullock heaps from the old Londonderry goldfield. To get there head north on the road to Pomonal for about 5 km and turn right onto the dirt road.
The 'Nook' has an abundance of native wildflowers and orchids at various times of the year. If you are interested in such things proceed north on the Pomonal Rd for 1 km then turn left up Moyston West Rd. The Nook is located to the right, 2 km along this road.
The Moyston Boxing Day Sports and Country Festival is a major local event.
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