Edenhope
Small country service town
Edenhope is a small country town of 900 people situated adjacent Lake Wallace and amidst an undulating landscape which is given over to wool and grazing. The administrative and business centre of the West Wimmera shire, it is located on the Wimmera Highway 30 km from the South Australian border and 394 km north-west of Melbourne via Horsham (95 km north-east).

The lake was named after William Wallace who, in 1843, became the first white man to see it. The first European settlers were the Hope family who established the Lake Wallace pastoral station in 1845. The town's name derives from the fact that the Hopes were from the River Eden in Scotland.

A townsite was surveyed and gazetted in 1862. The first Australian cricketing team, an all-Aboriginal squad, trained here in 1868 prior to their departure. Their coach was T.W. Willis who founded Australian Rules football.

Closer settlement of the area occurred in the 1930s.

On the second weekend in February the Henley-on-Lake Wallace Regatta is held, in conjunction with a carnival and street procession.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
Edenhope Information Centre, tel: (03) 5585 1509 cnr Elizabeth and Orme St. Tourist information can be obtained from West Wimmera Shire Council, tel: (03) 5585 9900.

Lake Wallace
The Wimmera Highway leads through Edenhope. If the visitor is approaching from the east, the first side road on the right (Lake St) will take you around the perimeter of Lake Wallace. When full it is an ideal spot for boating, waterskiing, swimming and fly-fishing for redfin and trout. There is a jetty and several boat ramps.

Lake Wallace is also a waterbird haven where black swans nest in spring. There are bird hides and a scenic walking track around the lake (5 km).

Cairn - Aboriginal Cricket Team
The cairn beside the lake in the grounds of the high school in Lake St recalls the first Australian cricket team to tour England in 1868. This remarkable all-Aboriginal team trained on the shores of Lake Wallace before departing for England. It is a commentary on the schedule of the side that during their tour they played a total of 57 games winning 14, losing 14 and drawing 19. When they returned to Australia they simply went back to the lives they had previously led. Many returned to their tribal lifestyle. Their coach was Tom Willis who founded Australian Rules football. Ironically, his father had been killed in Queensland in 1861 during a massacre of whites by Aborigines. Tom Willis had only survived as a broken dray had prevented him joining up with the main party.

Shops
Edenhope Antiques are located at 162 Elizabeth St. They are open seven days a week from 10.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5585 1248. There is a local bird egg collection at Summerhayes Edenhope Garden Centre which is located at the corner of the highway and Wannon Ave. Avril Wait is a local artist who displays and sells her work at her Art Studio which is open by appointment. It is best to ring first if you are thinking of visiting, tel: (03) 5585 1538.

St Gregory's Vineyard
St Gregory's Vineyard is a one-man operation which is located west of town. Follow the road to Apsley for about 10 km then turn right into Grub Lane. A short distance along is a telephone box at an intersection. Turn left here and the vineyard is to the immediate right, tel: (03) 5586 5225.

Bailey's Rocks
Bailey's Rocks are a natural formation of giant green granite boulders 38 km south of town on the road to Dergholm. First surveyed and set aside as a reserve in 1875, they are named after John Bailey who established a 1200-acre sheep property on a hill above the rocks in 1888. Families enjoyed picnics here and danced at the Bailey home. A mining company began quarrying the granite from the site in 1970 but a local campaign ended the destruction, though not before some damage had been done. A short signposted side-road on the left leads off the main road to the Rocks. There are picnic facilities.

Lake Charlegrark
35 km north of Edenhope the road to Kaniva intersects with the Horsham-Bordertown Rd. Just by this intersection is Lake Charlegrark where there are boating and picnicking facilities. This is a good spot for fishing with Murray cod, redfin and yabbies to be had. On the rim of the lake, just south of the intersection, are Lake Charlegrark Cottages for overnight accommodation, tel: (03) 5386 6281. The Lake Charlegrark Country Music Marathon is held every year on the third weekend in February.

Tom Mulraney's Horses
Lake Charlegrark Cottages can arrange for you to visit Tom Mulraney who takes pride in showing people his lovely Clydesdale horses and he also has a collection of local artefacts. He is just around the corner from the cottages but you need to make an appointment in advance so ring before passing through.

Lake Bringalbert
Water skiing is popular at Lake Bringalbert although there are no facilities. It is located along a sealed road, 27 km north-west of Edenhope.

	Motels
	Edenhope Motor Inn 157 Elizabeth St Edenhope VIC 3318 Telephone: (03) 5585 1369 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Lake Wallace Hotel 46 Elizabeth St Edenhope VIC 3318 Telephone: (03) 5585 1191
	Caravan Parks
	Edenhope Lakeside Tourist Park Lake St Edenhope VIC 3318 Telephone: (03) 5585 1659 Facsimile: (03) 5585 1829 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Plover Inn Restaurant Patyah Edenhope VIC 3318 Telephone: (03) 5586 5268