Heywood

Heywood is one of those small country towns that you come across where everyone makes you feel welcome.

In February each year the Wood, Wine and Roses Festival is held, and is a significant event in the region with competitions for flowers, crafts, painting, photography, general art and woodcraft.

Woodchopping events, fireworks, bands, parades and local food and wine tasting also help make this a great family fun day out.

Roses that bloom for most of the year in Heywood's main street come from Treloar Roses at Bolwarra.

To the north-east of Heywood is Lake Condah, the only place in Australia where Aborigines were known to build permanent houses out of stone.

There are a number of scenic drives to the coast through the natural bushland and the Cobboboonee State Forest. A three kilometre drive will take you to the perfectly named Bower Bird"s Nest Museum in which owner, historian, sculptor and painter, Vanda, has put together 500 thematic collections which spill over into 30 rooms.

Set in extensive gardens, the museum"s collection includes a 19th century portable lock-up, the oldest church in the Portland shire and religious artefacts representing 40 denominations.