Mount Shadwell, a few minutes north of Mortlake is an extinct volcano rich in olivine crystal, the birthstone of August. With permission, visitors of Mortlake can fossick for the crystal at the Mount Shadwell quarry or try their luck scavenging the surroundings for ‘volcano bombs’, large egg shaped rocks containing olivine.
In town, Mortlake has one of the regions most extensive Heritage Trails. The trail leads walkers around 20 of the predominantly bluestone buildings dating back to 1857. The town is also full of restaurants and shops, so breaking up the trail is a welcome option.
Sitting at the bottom of one of Victoria’s most recently active volcanoes, Mortlake is rich in both natural and early settler history. The town is located 50km north of Warrnambool and 215km west of Melbourne on the Hamilton Highway.
Mount Shadwell, a few minutes north of Mortlake is an extinct volcano rich in olivine crystal, the birthstone of August. With permission, visitors of Mortlake can fossick for the crystal at the Mount Shadwell quarry or try their luck scavenging the surroundings for ‘volcano bombs’, large egg shaped rocks containing olivine.
Mortlake has one of the regions most extensive Heritage Trails. The trail leads walkers around 20 of the predominately bluestone buildings dating back to 1857. The town is also full of restaurants and shops, so breaking up the trail with a snack and some retail therapy is a welcome option.
Mortlake has a number of hotels, motels, hostels and caravan parks scattered close to the centre of town.
Mortlake is home to the renowned Clarke’s Pies – A favourite for South West Victorians. Stop in to the Clarke’s Bakery to try one for yourself and pitch yourself in the pretty Market Square in the town centre to enjoy the country ambience
Mortlake is a great example of the Volcanic Lakes and Plains region’s country charm. Peruse the shops and you’ll come across antique and vintage treasures, some lovely cafe’s, one of Victoria’s best butchers (with regional produce in store), charming country pubs and a spectacular Art Deco swimming pool. Mortlake is a busy highway intersection and a favourite stop for traveller to the region. To drive past is to miss out.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
