First settled by sheep and cattle pioneers in the 1840’s, the Ararat region rapidly became one of Australia's most prosperous agricultural districts. Following the discovery, by Chinese immigrants, of the rich Canton Lead in 1857, the township of Ararat was born. It was so called after the nearby Mt Ararat, which had been named by the pioneer, Horatio Spencer Wills, in 1840. Ararat rapidly became a thriving community, serving a district that continues to be renowned for its production of quality merino wool, a diverse range of crops and fine wines. Ararat's gold heritage is reflected in the town's impressive architecture and the National Trust has classified several buildings. The classical revival town hall was built in 1893 containing a performing arts centre and the Ararat Gallery, exhibiting unusual pieces from fibre and textile art. Tools and artefacts used by Chinese miners and Indian hawkers during the gold-mining era with a collection of Aboriginal artefacts, are now based in the Langi Morgala Museum, a former wool store in Ararat Take a stroll around the lake in the Alexandra Botanical Gardens, a walk in the fernery, a landscape Japanese island and an orchid glasshouse. Travel to Ararat in March and enjoy, the events including the Jailhouse Rock Festival, the Golden Gateway Festival in October and the Cymbidium Orchid Festivals of September and October.
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