A Day in Dunkeld: The Slow Road South from the Nook

Dunkeld sits at the southern end of the Grampians, about forty minutes from the Nook. It’s the kind of town that rewards slowing down — small enough to be genuinely quiet, specific enough in its pleasures that you leave having done something rather than just having driven somewhere.

Make a day of it.

Walk Mt Abrupt

The hike to the summit is around 6.5 kilometres return, with enough elevation and rock scrambling to earn the view at the top. Set aside three to four hours and expect some steep sections. What you get at the summit is a 360-degree spread of the southern Grampians, unobstructed. Go early — the light is better and the trail is yours.

Eat and Drink Well

The Royal Mail Hotel is one of the better-known restaurants in regional Victoria, and for good reason. The kitchen takes the region’s produce seriously, and the wine list reflects it. Book ahead.

For something more casual, Parker Street Project handles coffee and all-day brunch without fuss. The Dunkeld Old Bakery is worth a stop for something from the cabinet. Freyr Wholefoods, if you’re passing through for lunch, uses seasonal local ingredients well — their meals are more interesting than the word “wholesome” suggests.

While You’re There

Two sisters — Kel and Em — run Terra out of Dunkeld, an ethical clothing brand designed and made in Australia. Their pieces carry the spirit of the landscape in the way that good local making tends to. Worth a look if you’re inclined.

The Dunkeld Arboretum is a pleasant, unhurried walk through a collection of trees from around the world — an unlikely thing to find next to a mountain range, and somehow all the more appealing for it.

Forty minutes from the Nook. Back in time for the afternoon light. Book your stay.