THE SPECTACULAR Peak Range creates a dramatic backdrop to Capella and the Peak Downs Shire.

Make Capella your base while exploring the area. Here you can relax and enjoy the local ‘beach’. The aquatic centre’s five free electric barbecues areas are near the wading pool, plunge pool, shallow pool and the Olympic pool. Pull up a sun lounge and have a cup of coffee, or if you’re feeling like a bit of exercise, then try out the gymnasium or play squash. Don’t miss The Peaks Fountain in the Capella Courtyard next door.

Then head further afield. Discover phenomenal mountain peaks and fascinating sapphire fields during four self-drive tours.

The area is rich in many ways - a fine country environment, fertile grain and oilseed growing soils, larger tracts of pastoral country, a sapphire fossicking area to the west, large coal seams to the east (there are 11 coal mines in the shire) and a wealth of natural beauty in its high country.

At the northern end of the main street (opposite the bowling club) is the Peak Downs Homestead in the Capella Pioneer Village complex. This fully restored, shingle-roofed station homestead is the largest pit-sawn drop-slat construction in Australia. It was built in 1869 from local spotted gum.

The village is also home to the Gordon Downs Woolshed and a comprehensive collection of historic tractors and machinery used to open up the Central Highlands grain industry following World War II. The complex is open for volunteer guided tours between 9.00am and noon Tuesday to Friday and Sunday during autumn, winter and spring.

While you’re in town, take a stroll along Peak Downs Street to view the lightpole and wall murals.

At the southern end of Peak Downs Street is the Cultural Centre that hosts many talented national performers, or you can take in a latest release movie on the weekend or just pop in and have a look around.

Take the birdwatching trail along Capella Creek. You can do the half-hour walk through to the old railway weir or take up to two hours to stroll to Baker’s Crossing. More than 120 species of open woodland birds have been identified on the trail.

A great drawcard for locals and visitors alike is the Capella Covered Arena. Situated within the showgrounds, it’s in use most weekends for bullaramas, rodeos, quarter horse cutting, pony club meets, gymkhanas and even for big concerts.

Capella was named after the eighth brightest star in the southern sky, a red star that can be seen very low on the horizon.