Penshurst is historically significant, environmentally recognised and located at the junction of four major highways. It has been serving this region since 1857.
The bluestone from Mt Rouse, our dormant volcano, can be found in the State Parliament and Treasury buildings in Spring Street, Melbourne. Stained glass works of art, created by Mervyn Napier Waller, who was born and raised here, can be seen at the Australia War Memorial’s Hall of Memory in Canberra.
Our ‘Never Fail Spring’ in the Botanic Gardens has been a continuous water resource, recorded in the oral histories of the three different groups of indigenous Australians who gathered here for ceremonies who remember when the volcanoes around us were still active; through early settlement; to the modern day when the aquifers under the Mount continue to provide water to the town.
Some of our attractions include the Yatmerone Wildlife Reserve, the Volcanoes Discovery Centre , the old Courthouse, that is the home of the Mt Rouse & District Historical Society, and the view from the top of Mt Rouse (the background to this website).
Events include the Australia Day brunch, Anzac Day gathering, the yearly Art Exhibition and the Boxing Day Races. Our football team is the Penshurst Bombers.
Come and visit our town and our community, through these pages or in person. We look forward to meeting you …
Travelling the volcanic plains
Within half an hour of Penshurst you will find Hamilton, with nearby Mt Napier, and Macarthur’s Budj Bim National Park. Travelling through Hamilton you will see Wannon and Nigretta Falls and Byaduck with its tumuli and lava tunnels. North west leads to Horsham and south west to Mt Gambier.
North east is Dunkeld, the gateway to the Grampians, including Victoria Valley and Halls Gap. To the south is Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Portland and the Great Ocean Road. To the east is Mt Shank at Mortlake and Mt Elephant at Derrinallum, among many other old volcanoes on the way to Geelong.