'I love the Grampians because they are still very wild, visually beautiful, with trees and birds and rocks, and so many wonderful walks.'

She was the first Australian to climb the highest mountain on every continent, the first Australian woman to climb Mount Everest, and the first to walk to the South Pole. Brigitte Muir’s name is synonymous with feats of endurance and courage on the world’s frozen peaks.

However, that is only one part of her story. For half her life, Brigitte’s home has been in a tiny wheatbelt town west of Horsham. Since retiring from mountain climbing in 1999 her explorations have been primarily artistic, through painting, writing and filmmaking. She takes as much pleasure in the biennial Natimuk street parade as she took from meeting Nepalese villagers or risking her life to conquer treacherous crests.

“For almost two years I lived in a tent at the base of Mt Arapiles, 15 kilometres west of Natimuk, and in the end I got sick of not having hot showers in the morning,” Brigitte says. “That is when I moved my base camp to Natimuk. It is a close-knit community located in an amazing part of the world. My interest in the skies and sunsets here has become even more prevalent since getting into painting. I never get tired of looking at the mountains, the Grampians and the surroundings.”

FAVOURITE DAY TRIP: Driving from Natimuk to Halls Gap, because it takes you from the flat plains of the Wimmera to a windy road through forest. It is such a range of gorgeous landscapes.

FAVOURITE FOOD EXPERIENCE: Sitting by the fire and having afternoon tea at Wander Inn in Wartook. Absolute bliss. (2637 Northern Grampians Rd, Wartook, 03 5383 6377)

FAVOURITE NATURE-BASED EXPERIENCE: Watching the full moon rise over a salt lake in Mt. Arapiles – Toan State Park. Take a bottle of champagne and have a toast to the moon as it rises.