Discover Dartmoor

Dartmoor is on the Glenelg River and brings together a range of ideas for a stay: you can enjoy the river and canoeing, explore the town on foot or by bike, and learn about its cultural history. Native wildlife, the Dartmoor Waterfall Gardens and a golf course add to the picture. Which of these aspects interests you most may also play a part in choosing your holiday rental.

On foot, by bike or on the water

The sealed Dartmoor Rail Trail is 1.3 km long and runs through the town centre. It can be used on foot or by bike. Its two stated endpoints are Radiata Road and Fort O’Hare in Dartmoor. This gives you a practical way to explore the town along a short, defined route. If you enjoy travelling on land, this kind of activity is distinct from canoeing on the Glenelg River.

The Glenelg River Canoe Trail runs from Dartmoor to Nelson. Over more than 75 km from Dartmoor to the mouth near Nelson, the river offers opportunities for canoeing on calm water. When planning your trip, it helps to treat this longer water route as a distinct focus rather than equating it with the 1.3 km Rail Trail: the two options differ both in length and in how you travel.

Local history at the Coach-House Museum

The Dartmoor and District Coach-House Museum focuses on the history of the town. The building was originally constructed from locally quarried limestone in 1880 and served as a coach house and blacksmith’s workshop. It opened as a museum on 26 January 1993. The building’s former use offers a tangible insight into its past; at the same time, its operators, Michael Greenham and Elly Colley, are dedicated to preserving the material, written, oral and pictorial history of the Dartmoor district. During your stay, you can also make culture a focus rather than planning your time exclusively around activities on the river.

Another place of remembrance is at the end of the Avenue of Honour by the Village Green, where there is a Gallipoli Lone Pine and a memorial plaque. The museum and memorial site appeal to different interests. If you are especially interested in local history, both can enrich your exploration of Dartmoor, while offering distinct historical perspectives.

Nature and golf on the Glenelg River

Dartmoor is home to native wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos. The Dartmoor Waterfall Gardens offer an opportunity to explore nature. These add further nature-focused options to trips on the water and along the sealed trail. The town is not defined by just one activity: when planning your trip, you can consider whether you would rather focus on the river, activities on land, nature or history.

Golf is another local option. Dartmoor has a 9-hole golf course in bushland on the banks of the Glenelg River. Summer and winter competitions and tournaments are held there. The number of holes, the bushland setting and the different competition seasons give the golf offering its own character. When looking for a holiday rental, you can therefore consider whether golf will be an important part of your stay or whether you would rather discover Dartmoor for its river, nature and cultural attractions.

More places to explore

More place guides to explore: The Gurdies, Frankston North, Anakie, Strzelecki, Bairnsdale, Bonegilla, Myrtleford and Little River.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.