| Casterton | |
Location: | 313km west of Melbourne on the Glenelg Highway |
Council: | Shire of Glenelg |
Population: | 1806 |
Postcode: | 3311 |
Rolling hills and sheep country with many stud farms encircle the important stockmarketing town of Casterton. The Henty brothers, who had arrived in Portland in 1834, moved inland to the area in 1836 and established the first large sheep stations.
George Robertson, a Scottish cabinetmaker, settled the property Warrock Homestead 29km to the north. Work on the house began in 1843 and took 17 years to complete, the detailing around the windows and roofing being particularly intricate and timeconsuming. The village of 33 original buildings is still standing, now in a parkland setting, with a museum that displays the homestead's history and objects made by Robertson as well as some of his equipment and possessions.
The district's history is on display at the Historical Society's Museum and there are fine views from Mickle Lookout. A pottery, fine art gallery and nurseries are other local attractions. Further afield visitors will find Bilston's Tree, an enormous river red gum, and on the same road to the north are the Hummocks a rocky outcrop. Casterton gives access to the granite outcrops of Bailey's Rocks National Park.