Dartmoor lies on the Glenelg River. A sealed 1.3-kilometre rail trail runs through the town centre, which you can explore on foot or by bike. The river offers opportunities for calm-water canoeing. There is also a museum with a history of the building, a memorial site, native wildlife and a golf course. This gives you a choice of ways to focus your trip, from town walks and the river to history, nature and sport.
A short walk through town
The Dartmoor Rail Trail is 1.3 kilometres long, sealed and runs through the centre of town. You can use it on foot or by bike. The route runs from Radiata Road to Fort O’Hare in Dartmoor. With its defined endpoints and short length, the trail is easy to describe: it is a compact town route, distinct from paddling on the Glenelg River.
Canoeing on the Glenelg River
The Glenelg River Canoe Trail runs from Dartmoor to Nelson. The river offers more than 75 kilometres of calm-water canoeing from Dartmoor to the mouth near Nelson. The Glenelg River offers more than 75 kilometres of calm-water canoeing from Dartmoor to the mouth near Nelson. Compared with the 1.3-kilometre rail trail, this is a different scale—a river paddling option rather than a short route through town.
Building history and remembrance
The Dartmoor and District Coach-House Museum is at 90 Greenham Street. The building was constructed from locally quarried limestone in 1880 and originally served as a coach house and blacksmith’s workshop. Its original uses reflect transport and craftsmanship. The museum opened on 26 January 1993.
The history of the Dartmoor district extends beyond the single building. Operators Michael Greenham and Elly Colley are committed to preserving its material, written, oral and pictorial history. At the end of the Avenue of Honour, beside the Village Green, there is a Gallipoli Lone Pine and a memorial plaque. The memorial site is at the intersection of Greenham Street and Ascot Street.
Nature and golf
Dartmoor is home to native wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos; their presence can vary seasonally. Dartmoor Waterfall Gardens offer an opportunity to explore nature. Wildlife and a named nature-exploration site therefore appeal to different interests. If wildlife watching is a particular interest, take seasonal fluctuations into account when planning your visit.
Dartmoor also has a 9-hole golf course in bushland on the banks of the Glenelg River. Summer and winter competitions and tournaments are held there. If a particular competition is important to your travel plans, check the dates in advance, as event and operating details can change. Golf adds a distinct sporting focus to the options alongside the trails, river and historic sites.
Discover more destinations: Prahran, Eaglehawk, Spotswood, Merbein, Chepstowe, Murchison, Barnawartha, Chiltern
For the broader travel overview: Victoria.
