The Bank Koroit

Come and enjoy a beautiful, relaxing space; rich in Western Victorian history and culture. At the end of the Great Ocean Road, nestled between Warrnambool and Port Fairy lies the timeless treasure of Koroit.
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Koroit is the beating heart of Victoria's, if not Australia's Irish heritage. Set only minutes from Killarney, Port Fairy and Warrnambool.
Koroit Irish spud farmers built a thriving community that stays true to it's roots today.

Our former State Saving Bank of Victoria building is a National Trust two storey stone icon of the main street. It has been transformed into a beautiful and tastefully restored residence that furnishes all the modern appointments you could enjoy. It's the setting for that peaceful retreat or expedition base ready to check out all the delights of the region.

It's perfectly centered to enjoy all the attractions of Victoria's South West and even the South Eastern wine regions of South Australia (Some two and a half hours west.)

You could spend days exploring our nearby coastal towns and it's only an hour
and a half from The Great Ocean Road, the significant Bundj Bim Aboriginal cultural and volcanic lands and The Grampians (Gariwerd) mountains.

As a start, Koroit has a great supermarket, newsagents, pharmacy, butchers, coffee shops, bakery and curio shops all three minutes from the front door.

A short stroll down the street provides you all the restaurants and takeaway you'd need; with awesome choices from Asian, and European cuisine. Be sure to attend Izzy'z Greek Banquet night if in town when it's on, complete with plate smashing at the end of the night....saves doing the dishes.
Then there's the experience of Alex's Pizza and Wok where you can enjoy a super feed off there huge menu. The expansive rustic back room is awesome and you may often strike music and entertainment. Just across the street from Alex's is The Little Thai House which is warm, welcoming and beautifully decorated. It has many excellent reviews.

But if a good pub is your fare, the famous Mickey Bourke's Iris pub is only four doors down from our place. A very beautiful historic building with a beautiful lounge is the perfect place for a meal and regularly has musicians picking out a tune by the cozy fireplace.

On the Western end of the main street lies The Commercial Hotel; also a welcoming haunt for a coldie while listening to some live music.

One of my favourite cultural hubs is on the edge of town at St Bridget's Hall Crossley. Here, on occasions, you can experience an old time dance or concert which draws big crowds. The 'Five Minutes Of Fame' nights are huge; held monthly. But many other concerts crop up at different times of the year.

During the famous Port Fairy Folk festival, held in March, the whole area is buzzing as the music and crowds overflow into Koroit.

The Koroit Irish Festival held in late April is Massive and the biggest event on the town's calendar. The town bursts into life with markets, processions, dancing, busking, concerts, music competitions, spud picking and even a Gaelic Games Sporting Carnival. It's definitely a 'must see.'

Perhaps the "Jewell of the crown" is on the edge of the the town. The majestic extinct volcano now called "Tower Hill". On the Southern edge of Koroit in a significant State Park, with outstanding views of the surrounding area, wet lands, Australian flora and fauna and bush walks; complete with cultural and picnic areas.The ‘Peek Wuurong’ people here I believe belonged to the Gunditjmara clans that have inhabited the area for millennia. Kangaroos, Koalas, Emu, magnificent bird life and reptiles adorn the park at different times of the year.

For the geologist, it is wonderful 'nested marr' volcano, showing multiple craters on an island surrounded by a lake; within the base of the larger remnant of the earlier huge volcano. Some 25,000 years ago it exploded with the force somewhat similar to a nuclear blast. It is but one of the sites that are a part of the World Heritage listed volcanic plains of Victoria. Many others are within an hour or so.

Tower Hill's volcano is responsible for another awesome treasure just south of Koroit. Over the flowing green hills toward the sea you'll find Killarney; suitably named after its Irish counterpart. Just 10 minutes down the road is Killarney beach where the black basalt lava cooled in the southern ocean forming beautiful coves of rock and white sand. These provide delicate calm beaches for family swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving and fishing among the many onshore reefs. There's a boat ramp off the beach and you can bet King George Writing, Garfish, Salmon, Crayfish, Abalone, Pinky Snapper and Blue Throat Wrasse will be found.

All up Koroit is truly the best base for spending time in Victoria's Saouth West and you'll begin the adventure at 'The Bank.'