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Tourism just a stone's throw from Melbourne

Historically, Melton Shire has not featured as a major tourist destination, although visitors to Bendigo along the Calder Highway and Ballarat on the Western Highway pass through it. This is about to change. Plans are under way to make the most of the many attractions Melton has to offer daytrippers or weekend holiday makers from Melbourne.

A concept being developed with the assistance of Tourism Victoria will see a Tourism precinct created. This will incorporate the established thoroughbred industry, a burgeoning viticulture industry, historic homesteads, gastronomic delights and a picturesque bicycle trail around the locality.

The recent reconstruction of the historic Machinery Shed at the Willows provides a museum of Melton's early history. The Willows Homestead (pictured) is another local attraction.

The local wine industry wiped out last century by disease, is reemerging with the establishment of a 100 seat reception centre at the Romano vineyard. This winery has already won medals for various vintages.

The popular Windmill reception facilities are set to expand into a replica Dutch village. Other developments promote the area's pioneer history and are encouraging an increase in the amount of dining and accommodation facilities, like the recently opened Inn, The Gamekeeper's Secret. These offer accommodation and traditional rural recreational activities for visitors who do not wish to spend most of their weekends or holidays travelling long distances to their destination.

Various excellent sporting facilities complement the list of activities for visitors, including the Melton Wave Leisure Centre, a new soccer complex and speedboat racing.

Linking these developments with horse and buggy rides and bus tours of Ballarat and Bendigo promises to bring new visitors to the Shire. This includes many overseas tourists who come to view the district's thoroughbred horseracing industry. During the Melbourne Cup Carnival in 1996, several bus tours brought overseas racing enthusiasts to Melton for this purpose. Next year the service is set to expand to meet increased demand.

Council is mindful of the need to encourage this development within strict guidelines to ensure that quality standards always apply.

In the north of the Shire, the Djerriwarrh Creek, which has the southernmost stand of Mallee Scrub in Victoria, will be developed in liaison with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. This will ensure that the pristine nature of the area is not undermined by unsympathetic tourist development.

While all these developments are expected to bring tourist dollars and local employment, they also contribute to an increase in local amenity for local residents.

For further information contact Howard Scott, Leisure and Tourism Manager, telephone, (03) 9747 7200.

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