Located on the banks of the Wimmera River, Horsham is the known as the capital of the Wimmera, serving as an important business and recreational centre for the entire Grampians region. The town was named after Horsham in Sussex by James Darlot, commonly regarded as first founder of the Wimmera, Darlot persuaded Melbourne interests to set up a store and post office in 1849, from which grew the progressive township. Originally opened up for grazing, the Wimmera lands became better known for wheat production and, due to this, Horsham quickly developed as a centre of economic activity for the surrounding region. Horsham is an ideal base for visiting the surrounding natural attractions, being centrally located to Mt Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Little Desert National Park, Black Ranges State Park and the Northern Grampians. Be inspired by the rock climbers, as they test their skills on the world famous Mt Arapiles and capture the sunsets that can be seen on the vast flat plains of the Wimmera and the Northern Grampians.