Heywood
Small rural coastal service centre
Heywood is a small service centre on the Fitzroy River. It is situated at an elevation of 27 metres amidst rolling green hills in an agricultural, pastoral and timbercutting district. Heywood is 357 km west of Melbourne at the intersection of the Princes and Henty Highways.

There are a number of attractions in the general area, including Mt Eccles National Park (see entry on Macarthur, on ), Discovery Bay National Park, Cape Nelson State Park, Mt Richmond National Park (for the latter three see entry on Portland) and the Lower Glenelg National Park (see entry on Nelson). Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission, 25 km north-east of town, affords valuable insight into the history of Victoria's indigenous people while the coast is only 25 km to the south.

Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Kuurn Kopan Noot Aborigines. David Edgar built the Bush Tavern on the townsite in 1842. A settlement emerged. Initially known as Edgar's it was surveyed in 1852 by Lindsay Clarke who named it after Heywood in England. The first town allotments were sold in 1854.

Since the outset of European settlement the local forests have been exploited and much has been selected, cleared logged or burned. Nonetheless there are still substantial areas of forest including plantations. The local forests tend to be rich in fauna and flora and are traversed by good all-weather roads which tend to be well-signposted. Numerous picnic areas have been established.

The Wood, Wine and Roses Festival is held in February.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
There is a tourist information centre at Portland, tel: (03) 5523 2671 or free-call (1800) 035 567.

Crawford River Winery
Head north-east of Heywood along the Henty Highway for 21 km to Condah then turn left into Hotspur Rd and it is 8 km to the Crawford River Winery (it is signposted from Condah). Established in 1975 the winery produces a riesling, a semillon/sauvignon blanc, a cabernet sauvignon, a cabernet/merlot and a dessert wine. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily but it is advisable to ring as this is a working farm, tel: (03) 5578 2267.

Jackass Ferntree Gully Picnic Area
Jackass Ferntree Gully Picnic Area is located 31 km north-west of Heywood at the headwaters of the Fitzroy River. In the early days of European settlement it was a crossing site and a watering place for bullock teams hauling logs from the forest. There are a number of fern types. To get there head north-west of Heywood along the Princes Highway for about 23 km. Just beyond Lyons turn left into the T & W Road (it should be signposted). Cross the railway line and when you come to what is essentially a Y-intersection with Bag Gate Road veer left and head down past the pine plantations. Continue straight ahead past the turnoffs into Survey Swamp Road and Inkpot Road and you should see a sign to the right for the picnic area. If you reach the Mt Deception Road intersection you've gone too far. For further information ring the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, tel: (03) 5527 1302.

Crawford River Regional Park
Crawford River Regional Park is a reserve based around the Crawford River valley, north of Heywood and just west of Hotspur. This is not a well-known spot and thus tends to be pretty quiet. There's plenty of animal life, including grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies in the dry forest, and birds such as emus, white cockatoos, galahs, yellow-tailed thornbills, ground thrushes and southern red robins.

The eastern part of the park is signposted from Hotspur. To access the western section head north-west of Heywood along the Princes Highway for about 22 km and turn right into Cowlands Rd. It is almost opposite the T & W Road turnoff (see previous entry) but about 50 metres back towards Heywood. Follow Cowlands Rd to the T-intersection (caravans and trailers are not permitted along this road due to the steep gradients) and turn right into Big Hill Rd. This leads to Hiscocks Crossing Picnic Area and Camping Ground. Just near Hiscocks Crossing is a turnoff into the Boulevarde Scenic Drive which pursues the northern riverbank through treefern gullies. It eventually comes out at Hotspur. Fishing is popular along the river. For further information ring the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, tel: (03) 5527 1302.

Surrey Ridge Picnic Area
Travel south on the Portland Rd and just before reaching the Surrey River bridge turn right down Coffeys Lane (it should be signposted for Surrey Ridge). After about 5 km it reaches a T-intersection. Turn left into Jacky Swamp Rd. Continue along to the next T-intersection and turn right onto Cutout Dam Road. It is signposted about 3 or 4 km along this road. The picnic area is situated amid messmate forest on a bend in the Surrey River. There are facilities and two walks through river vegetation, blackwood, manna gums, ferns, rushes, sedges, taller flowering shrubs and Australian clematis. Ring the Discovery Centre for more details. For further information ring the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, tel: (03) 5527 1302.

Also on the Portland Rd is Bolwarra Berries Strawberry Farm. Pick your own from October to April, tel: (03) 5523 1834.

	Motels
	Heywood Motor Inn 42 Portland Rd Heywood VIC 3304 Telephone: (03) 5527 1703 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Heywood Hotel Edgar St Heywood VIC 3304 Telephone: (03) 5527 1803
	Caravan Parks
	Pinewood Caravan Park Cnr Princes & Henty Hwys Heywood VIC 3304 Telephone: (03) 5527 1370 Rating: ***