Dimboola

A community of 2,000 people on the tree-lined Wimmera River 334km north-west of Melbourne, Dimboola is a peaceful town adjacent to Little Desert National Park.

The national park is networked with self-guide bush trails including the gentle, 1km Pomponderoo Hill Nature Walk which allows visitors to enjoy a spot of fishing, picnicking or boating on the river.

Those in need of a little more exercise can take the same trail on a 7km hike to Horseshoe Bend camping ground in the Little Desert National Park.

Restored by the National Trust, Ebenezer Mission Station, which was opened in 1858, is 15km north of Dimboola. Mallee fowl prowl in the Lowan Sanctuary at Kiata 26km to the west.

A changeover point for crews on the Adelaide-Melbourne train, Dimboolah is a 30-minute drive from Horsham and Warracknabeal in a district dominated by grain farmers.

Pink Lake, about 10km north-west of the town on the road to Nhill, takes its name from its occasional characteristic of appearing a rich pinkish colour on cloudy days.