Mount Warrenheip, Extinct volcano near Ballarat, Australia
Mount Warrenheip is an extinct volcano near Ballarat in Victoria, sitting inside a forested nature reserve. The summit has a crater that is open on its northern side and is topped by telecommunications towers.
The volcano last erupted around 2.53 million years ago and is part of Victoria's Newer Volcanic Province. This zone was shaped by a series of eruptions that left a lasting mark on the landscape of the state.
The name Warrenheip comes from the Wathaurong language and refers to the ferns that once covered its slopes. Walkers on the trails today can still spot fern plants growing among the trees, keeping that connection alive.
The summit is reached by Mount Warrenheip Road, which passes through the nature reserve. The ground can be uneven and the weather shifts quickly at this elevation, so sturdy footwear and warm layers are worth bringing.
Although the mountain sits only a short distance from Ballarat, snow falls at the summit far more often than in the city, typically around seven days a year. The temperatures up top regularly drop several degrees lower than in the valley below.
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