Base Yourself in Mortlake and Explore Victoria's Volcanic Heartland
Discover ancient volcanoes, crater lakes, rich heritage and authentic country hospitality from the heart of the Volcanic Lakes & Plains region.
SELF-DRIVE ITINERARY 2 DAY | 1 NIGHT MORTLAKE GETAWAY
Mortlake Memories
Create new memories in and around Mortlake.
- Wander Mortlake’s historic streets and uncover stories of early settlers, bluestone architecture and country life.
- Follow the Mortlake Heritage Trail and step back through generations of local history.
- Slow down at Tea Tree Lake Reserve, where tranquil waters, abundant birdlife and beautiful parklands invite you to relax.
- Taste a local tradition with a famous pie from Clarke’s Café.
- Take in the panoramic views and volcanic wonder of Mount Noorat.
- Discover the breathtaking crater lakes of Camperdown, including Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Gnotuk.
- Learn about Mount Shadwell and Mortlake’s fascinating connection to olivine, known as Australia’s “green gemstone”.
- Try your luck on an optional Olivine Fossicking Tour.
- Journey through the dramatic landscapes of the Volcanic Plains.
- Stand atop Mount Elephant and admire sweeping views across south-west Victoria.
- Share stories over dinner at the historic Mac’s Hotel.
- Experience the warmth, hospitality and authentic country charm that make Mortlake a place worth remembering.
DAY ONE: MORTLAKE TO MOUNT NOORAT & CRATER LAKE COUNTRY
MORNING
Explore Historic Mortlake
Start your journey in Mortlake, a welcoming country town renowned for its bluestone architecture, pastoral heritage and location within the spectacular Volcanic Lakes & Plains region.
Follow the Mortlake Heritage Trail and discover the stories behind the town’s historic buildings, early settlement and volcanic origins.
- Dunlop Street, Mortlake
Tea Tree Lake: A Picturesque Escape in the Heart of Mortlake
Nestled in the heart of town, Tea Tree Lake Reserve is a picture-perfect retreat featuring scenic parkland, a historic rotunda and charming summerhouse. The tranquil lake is home to local birdlife and is stocked with rainbow trout, making it a popular spot for a leisurely stroll or a relaxed fishing experience from the pier.
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Tea Tree Lake
9 Montgomery Way, Mortlake
Lunch: Savour a Taste of Mortlake
Enjoy lunch in Mortlake before setting out to explore the volcanic landscapes of the region.
Grab one of the famous pies from Clarke’s Café, a local favourite that has been serving generations of Mortlake residents and visitors. Known for its classic country bakery fare and warm hospitality, Clarke’s is the perfect place to enjoy a quick and satisfying lunch before heading off to discover the Volcanic Lakes & Plains.
- Dunlop Street, Mortlake
DAY ONE: MORTLAKE TO MOUNT NOORAT & CRATER LAKE COUNTRY
AFTERNOON
Discover Mount Noorat
Travel to Mount Noorat, one of Victoria’s most impressive volcanic landmarks and among Australia’s largest dormant volcanic craters. Rising above the surrounding countryside, the volcano offers spectacular views across fertile farmland, rolling volcanic landscapes and the vast western plains. The walk to the crater rim provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the scale and significance of the volcanic forces that shaped this remarkable region.
- Mount Noorat, Noorat
Explore Camperdown's Crater Lake Country
Continue to Crater Lake Country, where ancient volcanic activity has created a landscape of deep blue lakes and dramatic geological formations. Visit Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Gnotuk, taking time to enjoy the scenery, stretch your legs and capture memorable photographs.
While in Camperdown, wander through the beautifully landscaped Camperdown Botanic Gardens. Designed by noted landscape architect William Guilfoyle, the gardens overlook the crater lakes and feature mature trees, seasonal colour and peaceful walking paths.
Together, the crater lakes and botanic gardens showcase some of the most spectacular scenery in the Volcanic Lakes & Plains region.
- The Gnotuk & Lake Bullen Merri Lookout, Sadlers Road, Camperdown
DAY ONE: MORTLAKE TO MOUNT NOORAT & CRATER LAKE COUNTRY
EVENING
Dinner in Mortlake
Return to Mortlake and unwind after a day exploring ancient volcanoes and crater lakes.
Choose from two of Mortlake’s iconic dining venues:
Mac’s Hotel offers hearty country fare and warm hospitality in a historic setting, while the Mount Shadwell Hotel provides a classic country pub experience with welcoming service and a relaxed atmosphere.
Whichever you choose, enjoy an authentic taste of regional Victoria while reflecting on the day’s adventures through the Volcanic Lakes & Plains.
After dinner, take a leisurely stroll through Mortlake’s historic streets before settling in for the night.
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Mac's Hotel or Mount Shadwell Hotel
Dunlop Street, Mortlake
DAY TWO: MORTLAKE TO MOUNT ELEPHANT AND THE VOLCANIC PLAINS
MORNING
Breakfast at Spud & Kinn
Start your day at Spud & Kinn, a local favourite in the heart of Mortlake. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and quality coffee while planning another day of discovery.
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Spud & Kinn
43 Officer Street, Mortlake
Discover Mortlake's Volcanic Story
Take in views of Mount Shadwell, one of the region’s most significant volcanic features, and discover how ancient eruptions shaped the fertile soils, productive farmland and unique geology that define Mortlake today.
Optional Experience
The Mortlake Community Development Committee operates Olivine Fossicking Tours on selected weekends throughout the year, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the area’s volcanic history and search for olivine, the mineral associated with the gemstone peridot.
Tour dates are limited and bookings may be required.
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Mount Shadwell
Mortlake-Ararat Road, Mortlake
DAY 2: MORTLAKE TO MOUNT ELEPHANT AND THE VOLCANIC PLAINS
AFTERNOON
Drive the Volcanic Plains and Explore Mount Elephant
Travel through a landscape shaped by ancient lava flows, sweeping basalt plains and historic dry-stone walls, telling the story of generations of settlement across south-west Victoria.
Your destination is Mount Elephant, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Volcanic Lakes & Plains region. Visible from up to 60 kilometres in every direction, this ancient volcano rises dramatically above the surrounding countryside and offers a fascinating insight into the forces that shaped the region’s unique landscape. The area is rich in native wildlife, with kangaroos and wallabies often seen grazing around the base of the mount, while hawks, eagles and smaller bird species can frequently be spotted overhead and among the surrounding vegetation.
Visitors can experience Mount Elephant’s breathtaking summit views on Sundays between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm, when access is available to climb to the peak. Walking tracks provide the opportunity to explore the volcano, appreciate its remarkable geological history and take in sweeping views across the Volcanic Lakes & Plains region. With abundant wildlife, spectacular scenery and a rich volcanic story, Mount Elephant provides a memorable finale to your Mortlake getaway.
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Mount Elephant
Derrinallum
Treasured Memories for the Journey Home
After exploring Mount Elephant, continue your journey home or onwards through south-west Victoria. Along the way, stop in one of the region’s welcoming towns for lunch and enjoy one final taste of country hospitality before concluding your Volcanic Lakes & Plains adventure.
Why Base Yourself in Mortlake?
Perfectly positioned in the heart of the Volcanic Lakes & Plains region, Mortlake places visitors within easy reach of some of south-west Victoria’s most remarkable volcanic landscapes, heritage attractions and country experiences.
With welcoming hospitality, rich history, affordable accommodation and convenient access to the region’s natural wonders, Mortlake is the ideal base for discovering Victoria’s volcanic heartland.
Stay in Mortlake. Create memories. Explore Victoria’s Volcanic Heartland.
Where to stay
Mortlake Caravan Park is the perfect base for exploring Victoria’s Volcanic Lakes & Plains region. Nestled within the picturesque Tea Tree Lake Reserve, the pet-friendly park offers a peaceful country getaway with spacious caravan and camping sites, comfortable studio cabins, and easy access to Mortlake’s attractions, cafés and heritage precinct.
Mac’s Hotel Accommodation offers traditional comfort in the heart of Mortlake. Comfortable accommodation is always waiting for you with nine rooms available in total, three of which are en-suite, with extensive, modern facilities shared between the other rooms. All rooms feature heating, cooling and televisions, offering you modern comfort in a period setting.
Mount Shadwell Stables, situated at the rear of the Mount Shadwell Hotel, offers clean, comfortable accommodation that provides the perfect retreat for travellers, families, and regional workers alike. Blending historic country charm with modern convenience, our rooms are designed for rest and relaxation in the heart of south-west Victoria.
GETTING HERE
DRIVE
Melbourne: Mortlake is approximately 195–205 km from Melbourne, with a typical drive time of around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. Travel via the Princes Freeway (M1) to Geelong before joining the Hamilton Highway (B140) through Cressy and Derrinallum for a scenic journey through Victoria’s volcanic plains and farming country.
Geelong: Mortlake is approximately 150 km from Geelong, with a drive time of around 2 hours. Travel via the Hamilton Highway (B140) for a scenic journey through Victoria’s rich farming country and volcanic landscapes.
Ballarat: Mortlake is approximately 120 km from Ballarat, with a drive time of around 1.5 hours. Travel via the Glenelg Highway through Victoria’s picturesque western plains.
PAUSE STOP
When self‑driving, plan regular rest breaks to stay refreshed. TAC and VTIC Pause Stop sites operate at selected Visitor Information Centres throughout the year, providing convenient places to stretch your legs and recharge before continuing the journey.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE TRADITIONAL OWNERS
We acknowledge the Eastern Maar and Gunditjmara people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which the Moyne Shire are situated. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognize their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture, and we are committed to working together to create a future that embraces and respects the rich cultural heritage of this region.