Great Western

Quick facts

Population 250
219 kilometres north-west of Melbourne
Seppelt Winery
Bests Vineyard.

Grapevines were first planted at Great Western in 1863. Today, the area has become the focal point of one of Australia’s internationally renowned wine-growing regions as well as an attractive wine village.

Visit the region’s pioneer wineries, Seppelt and Best’s. Tours of the Seppelt Winery’s underground ‘drives’ are one of the region’s most popular activities, while the slab hut of Best’s Vineyard is one of the area’s historic highlights. After carrying out a tasting at both cellar doors, explore the village’s old churches and see the old toll gate.

Activities and attractions

Take one of the Seppelt Great Western Winery underground tours and explore the 3 kilometres of intricate tunnels that were dug by goldminers in the 1860s and 1870s. The tunnels, known as ‘drives’ have been classified by the National Trust and are still used today to house thousands bottles of maturing sparkling wine and earning
Take the self-guided cellar walk at Best’s Wines – established in 1866 the cellar door is housed in the original stables
Enjoy wine tasting at these two unique wineries.

Major events