Caramut
Caramut lies halfway between Warrnambool and Hamilton, just under an hour’s drive northeast of Port Fairy. There is a general store and a school bus to Mortlake’s primary and secondary schools, 30km southeast, and Hawkesdale’s P-12 college (30km southwest).
While many small towns have lost their pubs, charming Caramut boasts the “best pub in town”, recently reopened and renovated by new owner. Spruced as the “GOAT pub of southwest Victoria”, the family- and pet-friendly hotel sits on the bluestone footings and cellar of the original pub built in 1848. Accommodation will open soon, a most welcome addition for the town, which is home to around 260 residents.