Hopetoun

Overview

Hopetoun is the major service centre for the southern part of the Mallee, a dryland, broadacre farming area that gets its name from an Aboriginal word describing the multi-stemmed growth of eucalypts found right across north western Victoria.

The town boasts two lakes (Lascelles and Corrong). Lascelles filled by the channel system and Corrong, when full, is a favourite fishing spot.

The historical Hopetoun House, built in 1891 provides an idea filming location – with an underground room and storeroom which once hosted a number of dance parties in the 1920s.

History

Hopetoun is named after Lord Hopetoun, the Governor of Victoria and later, Australia’s first Governor-General, who often visited his friend Edward Lascelles and who is credited with opening up this area for settlement, becoming known as the ‘Father of the Mallee’.

The first sales of township blocks took place in 1891 and the construction of shops and houses soon followed.

Water flowed along natural water courses from the Grampians to service the new settlers and was later reticulated through open channels which have only recently been replaced by the $800 million Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.

Places of interest

Lake Lascelles

Hopetoun House

Corrong Homestead

Historical mural
Wyperfield National Park

Accommodation

Hopetoun offers a small selection of comfortable accommodation including:

Hopetoun Community Hotel/Motel (03) 5083 3070
Club Hotel (03) 5083 3021

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