Explore Australia

Athenaeum Museum: historic building with heritage display; Conness St. Dow's Pharmacy: old chemist shop with original features; Conness St. Star Theatre and Grapevine Museum: the quaint theatre still operates and the museum, formerly the Grapevine Hotel, boasts the largest grapevine in Australia, planted in 1867 and recorded in the Guinness World Records; Main St. Federal Standard newspaper office: open by appt for groups; Main St. Lakeview House: former home of author Henry Handel Richardson; open afternoons on weekends and public and school holidays; Victoria St. Lake Anderson: picnic and barbecue facilities; access via Main St.

Chiltern–Mt Pilot National Park This park stretches from around Chiltern south to Beechworth and protects remnant box-ironbark forest, which once covered much of this part of Victoria. Also featured are significant goldmining relics, including the impressive Magenta Goldmine (around 2 km E). Of the park's 21 000 ha, 7000 were exposed to bushfire in Jan 2003. But its regeneration is evidence of the hardiness of the forest, and there are now upgraded visitor facilities. An introduction to the forest scenery and goldmining history is on the 25 km scenic drive signposted from Chiltern. Other activities include canoeing and rafting, fishing, and cycling and walking trips along the many marked trails. Contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963; access via Hume Hwy and the road south to Beechworth.

Lake Hume 44 km

Albury–Wodonga is ideal for anyone seeking a variety of freshwater fishing. The list of fish species on offer reads like a Who’s Who of southern Australian freshwater fish. It includes Murray cod,... Find out more

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Lake Mulwala 55 km

Lake Mulwala separates the Victorian and NSW towns of Yarrawonga and Mulwala. It is a little over three hours’ drive from Melbourne and is popular with anglers seeking native fish such as Murray cod and... Find out more

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Kiewa River 62 km

High Country waterways are popular with fly-fishers looking for gin-clear water with good numbers of trout. In this regard, the Kiewa River near Mount Beauty rates as one of the State’s best waters, although it... Find out more

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Lake Buffalo 64 km

Two productive lakes in this region are Lake Buffalo, 20 km south of Myrtleford, and Lake William Hovell, 60 km south of Wangaratta. Both waters have boat-launching facilities, but fishing here can be difficult during... Find out more

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Lower Mitta Mitta 67 km

Wodonga-based fly-fishing guide Scott McPherson accompanied me on one trip on the lower Mitta Mitta. We were wading a stretch of river near Eskdale early in the morning. I recommend not only waders for this activity, but... Find out more

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Lake Guy 91 km

Bogong Village is little more than a collection of workers’ bunkhouses converted for outdoor adventure students, a few houses and some corrugated iron garages. The hamlet is set on a steep slope, and as you follow... Find out more

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Lake Dartmouth 97 km

Lake Dartmouth holds self-sustaining populations of both brown and rainbow trout. The lake was formed in 1979 when an embankment was built on the Mitta Mitta River. Trout and the threatened Macquarie perch thrived in the... Find out more

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Falls Creek 101 km

Rocky Valley reservoir at Falls Creek has been used as a venue for state and national fly-fishing championships. Trout to 3 kg have been caught from the shore. Bait fishing using ultra-light rods and rigs is deadly... Find out more

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Nariel Creek 111 km

A favourite dry fly among fly-fishers casting to rising trout in the Snowy Mountains and north-east Victoria is the Geehi beetle. This marvellous pattern is named after a non- existent beetle. It’s a fly that trout... Find out more

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Omeo Valley 123 km

The Upper Mitta Mitta River at Angler’s Rest appears to go the ‘wrong’ way, as it travels south to reach Dartmouth reservoir, far to the north. It flows out of the Bogong High Plains and down the Omeo... Find out more

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Wine-tasting - Rutherglen region 17 km

The Rutherglen region in the far north of the state is renowned particularly for its fortified ports and muscats, perfect for a winter’s night. There are no organically certified wineries in the area, although... Find out more

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Cycling - Murray to the Mountains and High Country Rail Trails 35 km

With 100 kilometres of safe, sealed bitumen surface to pedal on, the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail is the most developed rail trail in the state, and therefore very popular, with more than 40 000 people estimated to... Find out more

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Kayaking around Bright 71 km

The operator 5 Star Adventure Tours offers a huge range of eco-accredited tours and activities in the High Country, particularly targeting those who like a few little luxuries on the way. One of the most popular trips is... Find out more

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Cross-country skiing - Victoria's High Country 99 km

The home of our national cross-country team, Falls Creek is probably the best place to crosscountry ski. It has 65 kilometres of groomed tracks, catering to beginners and intermediate skiers, as well as marked trails on... Find out more

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Burrowa–Pine Mountain National Park 100 km

Located near the New South Wales border, 430 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, and one of Victoria’s lesser-known national parks, this has some remarkable features. The granitic Pine Mountain is one of the... Find out more

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Indigenous tour - Shepparton 112 km

A free, short, bush-tucker tour is available from the Bangerang Cultural Centre in Shepparton. You will need to book, but you can visit the centre on weekdays to see the wide range of artefacts from the area, and from... Find out more

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Rafting - Mitta Mitta and Murray Rivers 122 km

Adventure Rafting Victoria only takes a few months off, from April to June, and runs exciting day trips down the foaming Murray Gates, and two-night paddles down the Mitta Mitta, staying overnight in the legendary Blue... Find out more

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Alpine National Park 135 km

Covering a vast 6460 square kilometres, this is Victoria’s largest national park and cradles the state’s highest mountains and dramatic alpine scenery, as well as the major downhill skiing resorts. The park... Find out more

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Birdwatching in Fivebough and Tuckerbil wetlands 136 km

Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands are Ramsar-listed, and among nearly 200 birds spotted here are brolgas, black-winged stilts and painted snipes. Fivebough has 5 kilometres of walking tracks, with bird hides along the... Find out more

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Koala-spotting - Narrandera 156 km

Koalas have thrived at Narrandera since they were released in 1972. At Narrandera Nature Reserve you should be able to spot a few.... Find out more

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RACV Healesville Country Club 193 km

Of the 120 golf courses featured throughout these pages, the new layout at Healesville is the odd one out. It could, in fact, be considered a minnow among giants, for this par-68 measures only 4872 metres from the... Find out more

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The Heritage Golf & Country Club (St John course) 210 km

Jack Nicklaus, the golfer, was the most powerful player of his generation and also its finest strategist, a man who could win a tournament based on smart play and at other times on pure heroics. Jack Nicklaus, the... Find out more

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Riversdale Golf Club 233 km

Victoria’s second oldest club, formed 18 months after Royal Melbourne, began life in humble circumstances as the Surrey Hills Golf Club. After a brief stint at Camberwell the club moved to its present location... Find out more

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Metropolitan Golf Club 238 km

Metropolitan has changed dramatically over the past century but has never been short of plaudits. The club, the second oldest on the Melbourne sandbelt, was established in 1908. J. B. Mackenzie was one of the founding... Find out more

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Huntingdale Golf Club 238 km

Huntingdale – Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath aside – is arguably the most famous of Melbourne’s sandbelt courses, home to the Australian Masters for 30 years. A parade of the game’s best... Find out more

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Spring Valley Golf Club 239 km

The story of Spring Valley Golf Club’s early days is not dissimilar to that of many clubs which now call Melbourne’s sandbelt home. Spring Valley began its existence outside the sandbelt, as Forest Hills... Find out more

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Commonwealth Golf Club 239 km

It is nearly 90 years since the first rounds were played where the Commonwealth Golf Club now lies. The club was constituted in 1920 and land – regarded as scrub country, and comprising only 89 acres – was... Find out more

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Yarra Yarra Golf Club 240 km

First-time visitors to Yarra Yarra Golf Club, expecting the river with the similar name to play a pivotal role, might be surprised. The closest the Yarra gets to this acclaimed sandbelt course is the spot where it... Find out more

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Kingston Heath Golf Club 242 km

Kingston Heath has long been regarded as the second best course in Australia, only marginally behind nearby Royal Melbourne’s West course. Both layouts call on players to be strategically smart from tee to... Find out more

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Southern Golf Club 243 km

Southern is one of the Melbourne sandbelt’s least-known courses, but in recent years its star has been on the rise. The original layout was created by Sam Berriman, a British expat who began his working life in... Find out more

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Bridge Road Brewers 24 km

Ben Kraus originally trained as a winemaker but his head was turned in the direction of craft brewing during a stint working in Western Australia’s Margaret River region. The cluster of microbreweries in this... Find out more

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Bright Brewery 71 km

The original Bright Brewery shut down in 1916 and this modern incarnation was started by a quartet of ‘ale changers’ – couples David and Julie Cocks, and Scott Brandon and Fiona Reddaway – some 90... Find out more

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Jamieson Brewery 132 km

Looking for a drawcard to attract tourists to their Victorian High Country pub, owners Jeff and Jeanette Whyte installed a microbrewery into the Jamieson Hotel and started knocking out house beers in 2001. The equipment... Find out more

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Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company 200 km

Craft brewers come from all sorts of different backgrounds but classical pianist Simon Walkenhorst and his opera singer wife Beth Williams are among the more exotic. Together, they started Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company... Find out more

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William Bull Brewery 212 km

The high-profile, family-run De Bortoli Wines diversifying into craft beer has been one of the longest-running stories around. In the late 1990s they acquired a brewhouse that originally belonged to the ... Find out more

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3 Ravens Brewing Company 227 km

This microbrewery began operating from the basement of the successful Thornbury-based engineering company Zetkin and has proved to be an interesting diversion or sideline for the principal business. Some of the company... Find out more

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Holgate Brewhouse 229 km

Paul and Natasha Holgate have travelled a decidedly different path to most other craft-brewery operators over the past decade or so. They started brewing ales from a shed adjacent to their family home in Woodend in the... Find out more

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Foster's Group (Abbotsford Brewery) 233 km

Re-branded as the Foster’s Group in the 21st century, Carlton & United Breweries was formed in 1907 through an amalgamation of the city’s six largest beer-makers: McCrackens City Brewery, Victoria... Find out more

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Mountain Goat Brewery 233 km

Kicking off in 1997, home-brewer Dave Bonighton and music industry booking agent Cam Hines proved that two good mates can start a successful microbrewery with no money, but with unlimited enthusiasm, dogged perseverance... Find out more

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2 Brothers Brewery 241 km

A microbrewery is not exactly what you might expect to find tucked away among panel-beaters and sheet-metal fabricators in the industrial estates of Moorabbin, 20 minutes south-east of Melbourne. While the location may... Find out more

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Doolans Bend camping area 14 km

Doolans Bend is one of many twists and turns in the Murray River to the immediate north-west of Barnawartha North. Fishing, canoeing and swimming tend to make up the daily agenda here, with long breaks between activities... Find out more

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Richardsons Bend camping area 15 km

Take Kings Rd off the Old Barnawartha Rd to reach Richardsons Bend, which lies a few kilometres north-west of Barnawartha North. Note that like many of the tracks leading to sites beside the Murray River, this route is... Find out more

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Reedy Creek camping area 18 km

In the southern section of the national park, several bush camping sites are scattered alongside Reedy Creek, which winds from near Woolshed Falls to the fancifully named Eldorado gold dredge. To get here, take the road... Find out more

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Shaws Flat camping area 21 km

This camping spot is only 7 km north of Rutherglen, forcing visitors to choose between another swim or more fishing, and a trip to a local winery for glass of fine wine and a long lunch – tough decisions must be... Find out more

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Gooramadda State Forest (Police Paddocks) camping area 22 km

The Police Paddocks are so named because police horses used to have a rest in the vicinity in the late 19th century. Nowadays it’s campers who put themselves out to pasture here to take a break from heavy activity.... Find out more

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Granthams Bend camping area 25 km

From Lake Moodemere, the Murray River doglegs north past Corowa before taking another turn to the east. It’s up this way, 5 km north-east of Wahgunyah, that you’ll find Granthams Bend. There are walks along... Find out more

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Stantons camping area 26 km

Stantons camping area is only 5 km from Rutherglen, where the delicious tastes of locally bottled shiraz and muscat await, as well as the fine fare offered in the local cafes and restaurants. Access is via Moodemere Rd,... Find out more

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Stanley Forest camping areas 28 km

Numerous camping areas have been cleared alongside Yackandandah Creek – access is off Yack Gate Rd and Number One Rd. Make sure your chosen campsite is at least 20 m away from the creek or any other watercourse.... Find out more

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Lumbys Bend camping area 30 km

Lumbys Bend is another of the tranquil twists of the Murray River enjoyed by overnighting motorists and intrepid canoeists. It’s also utilised by swimmers, though the water can get quite cold. This camping area is... Find out more

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North Cedars Holiday Park 31 km

On the northern fringe of Wangaratta, off the Old Hume Highway, is the North Cedars Holiday Park. This is a tranquil spot, with plenty of trees and a reasonable amount of space allowed between each of the campsites. The... Find out more

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Borderland Holiday Park 23 km

The park is on the western edge of town in a quiet off-highway location. It has good facilities and is our choice of parks in the town area.... Find out more

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Ball Park Caravan Park 25 km

This is a large council-owned park, close to the centre of town. It is a popular holiday destination and bookings are required in peak periods; a minimum-length stay applies at Christmas, Easter and long weekends. Pets... Find out more

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Corowa Caravan Park 26 km

The park is 2 km east of town with frontage to the Murray River. It is the closest park to the popular golf course and has boats and bikes for hire. Large and shady, this place is great for a break. Bookings are required... Find out more

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Albury Central Tourist Park 31 km

This centrally located park is about 2 km from the city centre in a quiet, off-highway location. It has good facilities including a tennis court. This is a basic park, but a good base for exploring the greater Albury... Find out more

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North Cedars Holiday Park 31 km

Located about 4 km north-east of the township, this is a good quality park in a quiet location on what was once the highway prior to the opening of the bypass.... Find out more

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Painters Island Caravan Park 34 km

Less than 1 km from the town centre, this nicely appointed park is situated on the banks of the Ovens River. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Albury City Gate Holiday Park 34 km

Easily accessible from the Hume Highway and located on the northern fringe of greater Albury, this is an ideal park for an overnight stop or longer. Pets allowed in own caravan or motorhome only.... Find out more

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Lake Hume Tourist Park 39 km

On the shores of Lake Hume and 14 km from Albury, this park makes an ideal holiday base. It features a store, with a good takeaway-food selection. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies... Find out more

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Yarrawonga Holiday Park 57 km

This is a very large, popular park on the banks of the Murray River, just below the Yarrawonga Weir. It is situated around some of the town’s sporting facilities, including the public swimming pool, and experiences... Find out more

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Holbrook Motor Village 79 km

In an ideal position, this comfortable tidy park caters for travellers on the Hume Highway. It is convenient for an overnight stop or a longer stay. Pets are allowed at the manager’s discretion.... Find out more

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The Mulberry Tree

Housed in an 1879 former Bank of Australasia building, ensuite accommodation is offered in the charming Henry Handel Richardson Suite – honouring the local authoress – and also in the Bank Residence with... Find out more

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Koendidda Country House

Built in 1855 beside the Indigo Creek at Barnawartha – from the proceeds of a gold-rush fortune – this stately home stands graciously in wonderful landscaped gardens. An elegant family-run B&B at the end... Find out more

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The Buckland, Bright 71 km

With the same architect as The Odd Frog, The Buckland’s four luxury studio retreats have similar eco-design principles, and thousands of trees have been planted on the site. They are also powered by green energy.... Find out more

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The Odd Frog, Bright 72 km

This place comprises five funky new luxury studios on a 4-hectare Land for Wildlife property. The studios have been architecturally designed to have minimal impact on the environment, with thought even given to their... Find out more

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Arthur’s Cottage, Cudgewa 104 km

This historic mudbrick, two-bedroom cottage was built around 1897, but now has solar-powered lights and a gas kitchen. It sits quietly on the Cudgewa Creek, with platypus drifting past. You will need to bring your own... Find out more

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Alpine Habitats, near Jindabyne 175 km

Opened in 2007, these 18 cleverly designed two-bedroom buildings are linked underground by massive worm farms that digest all the compostable waste on the site. Set amid gnarled black sallees and other snow gums, the... Find out more

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MillDuck, Harcourt North 226 km

This strawbale house won a Most Energy Efficient Home award (North West Region) when it was built. More than 1000 trees have been planted on the property since it was purchased, and it is now an alpaca stud. The B&B,... Find out more

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Jacarri Eco-Cottage, Goongerah 229 km

This rustic little cottage in East Gippsland sleeps four, and has solar power and a dry composting toilet. It has been built with sustainable timbers and uses a water wheel to fill the water tank. Organic fruit,... Find out more

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Alto Hotel on Bourke 236 km

Although it is not doing anything radical, this plush hotel on Bourke Street is one of the most ecologically aware in Melbourne, and should be commended for its power-saving measures, garbage sorting, supply of... Find out more

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Ironbark Rest Area 3 km

41 km NE of Wangaratta (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Excellent facilities and shade. GPS: S36 08.281 E146 38.843... Find out more

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Chiltern Rest Area 4 km

29 km SW of Wodonga (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Excellent facilities and shade. GPS: S36 08.281 E146 38.843... Find out more

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Indigo Creek Rest Area 12 km

18 km E of Rutherglen (L) or 26 km W of Wodonga (R) Small area just off the highway around some large trees. GPS: S36 02.852 E146 38.167  ... Find out more

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Howlong Rest Area 18 km

T/O 16 km E of Rutherglen (L) or 28 km W of Wodonga (R) Shady area adjacent to the road 7 kilometres north of the highway on the road to Howlong. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S35 59.280 E146 37.382 ... Find out more

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Police Paddocks Camp Area 21 km

T/O 2 km E of Rutherglen (L) or 42 km W of Wodonga (R) Large area 10 kilometres north of the highway (via Gooramadda Road and Police Paddock Road) on the banks of Murphys Creek in Gooramadda State Forest. Good shade. ... Find out more

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Pioneer Bridges Rest Area 33 km

T/O 19 km SE of Wangaratta (R) or 27 km NW of Myrtleford (L) Shady area on the bank of a river 2 kilometres south of the highway on the road to Markford. Good shade. GPS: S36 26.553 E146 31.448 ... Find out more

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Burgoigee Creek Rest Area 36 km

29 km SE of Wangaratta (L) or 17 km NW of Myrtleford (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S36 28.291 E146 35.691 ... Find out more

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Lower Ovens Regional Park Camp Area 38 km

T/O 23 km E of Yarrawonga (L) or 25 km W of Rutherglen (R) Numerous secluded camp sites located just off the highway under trees on the riverbank on the eastern side of the Ovens River. Good shade. GPS: S36 04.027... Find out more

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Bundalong Rest Area 43 km

East side of town Small area adjacent to the highway among trees. Good shade. GPS: S36 01.678 E146 09.582... Find out more

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Myrtleford Park Area 46 km

West side of town Parking area on the west side of town. Good facilities. GPS: S36 33.276 E146 42.774... Find out more

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Mullengandra Rest Area 58 km

11 km SW of Woomargama (R) or 40 km NE of Albury (L)  Large area adjacent to the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S35 53.633 E147 10.120... Find out more

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Eurobin Rest Area 59 km

17 km SE of Myrtleford (L) or 15 km NW of Bright (R) Small area just off the highway at the old railway station site. Good facilities. GPS: S36 38.353 E146 51.794... Find out more

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Yarrawonga West Rest Area 59 km

33 km E of Cobram (R) or 4 km W of Yarrawonga (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S36 01.312 E145 58.231... Find out more

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Mokoan Rest Area 60 km

27 km SW of Wangaratta (L) or 15 km NE of Benalla (L) Large areas on both sides of the highway. Excellent facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S36 30.078 E146 06.206... Find out more

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Bruces Beach No.2 Camp Area 65 km

T/O 28 km E of Cobram (L) or 9 km W of Yarrawonga (R) Secluded area 4 kilometres north of the highway on the riverbank. GPS: S35 58.293 E145 55.455... Find out more

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Woomargama Rest Area 67 km

Middle of town Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S35 49.982 E147 14.788  ... Find out more

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Casey Weir Rest Area 70 km

9 km NW of Benalla (L) or 52 km SE of Shepparton (R) Large secluded area well off the highway among some large trees on the banks of Broken River. Good shade. GPS: S36 28.526 E145 56.633 ... Find out more

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Bourkes Bend No.1 Camp Area 72 km

T/O 19 km E of Cobram (L) or 18 km W of Yarrawonga (R) Secluded camp area located 3 kilometres north of the highway (turn off at the rest area) at a sandy section of the river in Bourkes Bend State Forest. NOTE:... Find out more

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Bourkes Bend Rest Area 73 km

19 km E of Cobram (L) or 18 km W of Yarrawonga (R) Large area adjacent to the highway among a few trees. GPS: S35 59.894 E145 49.526... Find out more

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Bourkes Bend No.3 Camp Area 73 km

T/O 19 km E of Cobram (L) or 18 km W of Yarrawonga (R) Secluded camp area located 3 kilometres north of the highway (turn off at the rest area) at a sandy section of the river in Bourkes Bend State Forest. NOTE:... Find out more

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Bourkes Bend No.2 Camp Area 73 km

T/O 19 km E of Cobram (L) or 18 km W of Yarrawonga (R) Secluded camp area located 3 kilometres north of the highway (turn off at the rest area) at a sandy section of the river in Bourkes Bend State Forest. NOTE:... Find out more

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Freeburgh Park Area 79 km

North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S36 46.285 E147 01.768... Find out more

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Horseshoe Lagoon Camp Area 86 km

T/O at Cobram Secluded area on the riverbank 6 kilometres north-east of Cobram via Barooga Road and River Road. Good shade. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S35 56.035 E145 41.719... Find out more

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Scotts Beach Camp Area 88 km

T/O at Cobram Secluded area on the riverbank 3 kilometres north-east of Cobram via Barooga Road and River Road. Good shade. GPS: S35 55.611 E145 40.601... Find out more

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Nalinga Rest Area 88 km

33 km NW of Benalla (L) or 28 km SE of Shepparton (R) Large area just off the highway around a few trees. Good shade. GPS: S36 25.769 E145 41.763 ... Find out more

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Harrietville Park Area 92 km

Middle of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S36 53.404 E147 03.893 ... Find out more

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Holbrook Park Area 93 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the information centre and submarine display. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S35 39.355 E147 26.224 ... Find out more

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Information Board Park Area 97 km

35 km SE of Bright (L) or 74 km NW of Omeo (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S36 56.432 E147 03.684... Find out more

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Finley Beach Camp Area 101 km

T/O 2 km S of Tocumwal Large open area well off the highway on the riverbank. Limited shade. GPS: S35 49.353 E145 33.546... Find out more

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Mulberry Beach Camp Area 101 km

T/O 2 km S of Tocumwal Small secluded area well off the highway on the riverbank. Limited shade. GPS: S35 48.868 E145 33.770... Find out more

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