Explore Australia

Mt Beauty Pondage: for watersports and fishing; just north of Main St. Wineries: cool-climate vineyards at Annapurna Estate, Bogong Estate and Recline. Scenic walks: several scenic walking tracks; details from visitor centre.

Alpine National Park Covering 646 000 ha in 4 sections, this is Victoria's largest park, containing the highest mountains in the state. Most of Australia's south-east rivers, including the mighty Murray, have their source here. The area is known for its outstanding snowfields during winter, and bushwalking and wildflowers in summer. Other activities include horseriding, canoeing, rafting and mountain-bike riding. 30 km SE.

Falls Creek Surrounded by Alpine National Park, Falls Creek is a winter playground for downhill and cross-country skiers. When the snow is falling, the ski resort caters for skiers and snowboarders with a variety of runs and terrain, including some to suit beginners. Novelty tours are also available, such as the Snowmobile Tours. Each Aug, Falls Creek hosts the Kangaroo Hoppet cross-country ski race. In spring and summer, take a walk on the Bogong High Plains or fly-fish in one of the lakes and rivers nearby; 30 km SE. Tawonga Gap: features a lookout over valleys; 13 km NW. Bogong: scenic walks around Lake Guy and nearby Clover Arboretum for picnics; 15 km SE. Scenic drives: to Falls Creek and the Bogong High Plains (not accessible in winter beyond Falls Creek); details from visitor centre.

Lake Guy 8 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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Falls Creek 18 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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Kiewa River 22 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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Lower Mitta Mitta 33 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 Dartmouth 39 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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Omeo Valley 41 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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Lake Buffalo 46 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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Nariel Creek 71 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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Lake Hume 77 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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Indi River 88 km

Take the Alpine Way out of Khancoban and head about 50 km towards Thredbo, and you’ll come to Tom Groggin station. Locals say the river flowing alongside the station is the Indi River, but it’s marked on some... Find out more

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Cross-country skiing - Victoria's High Country 17 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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Kayaking around Bright 19 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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Rafting - Mitta Mitta and Murray Rivers 40 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 52 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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Burrowa–Pine Mountain National Park 87 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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Cycling - Murray to the Mountains and High Country Rail Trails 87 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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Wine-tasting - Rutherglen region 99 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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Mitchell River National Park 103 km

Although only 11 900 hectares in size, this rugged national park contains some of the best forest country in Gippsland. Great for experienced rafters, kayakers and canoeists, it also has some superb bushwalks. With a... Find out more

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Bushwalking in the Snowy Mountains 106 km

There is almost no end to the hiking that can be done in the Snowy Mountains. There are hundreds of kilometres of hiking tracks, and infinite ways to wander through the hills. The most popular walks are to the top of... Find out more

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Cross-country skiing 117 km

A delightful winter pastime, cross-country skiing is a mix of walking, gliding and skiing, and the basics are much easier to pick up than those of downhill skiing or snowboarding. You can undertake the activity at... Find out more

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RACV Healesville Country Club 179 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) 198 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 221 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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Spring Valley Golf Club 225 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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Huntingdale Golf Club 225 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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Metropolitan Golf Club 225 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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Commonwealth Golf Club 227 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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Southern Golf Club 227 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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Yarra Yarra Golf Club 228 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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The Sandhurst Club (North Course) 228 km

Five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson has strong ties to Scotland, the home of golf. Not only was it the scene of some of his greatest triumphs but he spends several months a year living there. So it should... Find out more

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Bright Brewery 19 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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Bridge Road Brewers 61 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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Jamieson Brewery 110 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 189 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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Grand Ridge Brewery 204 km

One of the country’s longest-running craft breweries began life as the Strzelecki Brewery in 1988, but operated for only a brief period before being re-branded as Grand Ridge under new ownership. Over the ensuing... Find out more

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3 Ravens Brewing Company 221 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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Mountain Goat Brewery 225 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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Foster's Group (Abbotsford Brewery) 226 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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Matilda Bay Garage Brewery 226 km

Previously operating as the Stockade Brewery, this South Dandenong-based microbrewery was acquired by the Foster’s-owned Matilda Bay Brewing in 2004 and re-badged as their ‘garage’ brewery. Then head... Find out more

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2 Brothers Brewery 229 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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Mountain Creek camping area (Bogong area) 9 km

Mountain Creek is about 15 km east of Tawonga, which is down the road (so to speak) from Mount Beauty – from the Kiewa Valley Hwy south of Tawonga, head east for 10 km on Mountain Creek Rd. Most people come here to... Find out more

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Langford West camping area (Bogong area) 24 km

This camping area is right up on the fabulous Bogong High Plains, about 14 km south of Falls Creek via Bogong High Plains Rd. Mountain-bikers will want to head north from here up the Langford West and Langford East... Find out more

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Raspberry Hill camping area (Bogong area) 26 km

About 3 km south of Langford West lies Raspberry Hill, off the Bogong High Plains Rd. Use this as a base while you decide which of the area’s fine walking tracks to tackle next. For a view out over Falls Creek and... Find out more

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Buckety Plain camping area (Bogong area) 26 km

The camping area at Buckety Plain is situated near McNamaras Hut, which is for emergency accommodation only. The original hut was built in 1955 but was lost to fire in 2003; the current hut is a faithful replica. Buckety... Find out more

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Lightning Creek camping area 26 km

This roadside camping area is a nice spot to pull over for a snooze while admiring the great scenery along the Omeo Hwy. It’s beside Lightning Creek some 20 km south of the small settlement of Mitta Mitta, and is... Find out more

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Maguire Point camping area 29 km

It was gold that drew people to the Buckland River in the 1850s, but now it’s the scenic landscape of Victoria’s High Country that attracts visitors. Maguire’s Point, 18 km down Buckland River Rd from... Find out more

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Snowy Creek camping area 29 km

If you’re wandering down the wonderfully scenic Omeo Hwy, consider detouring onto Holloways Log Rd, 12 km south of Mitta Mitta, and stopping for the night at the Snowy Creek camping area. Cool yourself in an... Find out more

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Buckland River Valley camping areas 30 km

It’s permissible to pitch a tent between Buckland River Rd and the river itself, except on privately owned land. Once you’ve selected your campsite, you can concentrate on enjoying the fresh mountain air and... Find out more

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Big River Bridge camping area 31 km

The Glen Valley area is squeezed between 2 chunks of Alpine National Park forest. The Omeo Hwy negotiates this valley and you can camp just off the road here near Big River Bridge, 42 km north of Omeo. It’s common... Find out more

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Lake Hume Tourist Park 72 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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Borderland Holiday Park 76 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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Albury Central Tourist Park 78 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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Albury City Gate Holiday Park 80 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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Colac Colac Caravan Park 84 km

We like this spacious park that is 7 km west of town, under large shady trees and alongside a popular trout stream. The budget-priced park in ‘Man from Snowy River’ territory has basic amenities and is ideal... Find out more

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North Cedars Holiday Park 87 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 87 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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Ball Park Caravan Park 107 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 108 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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Holbrook Motor Village 113 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 Odd Frog, Bright 19 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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The Buckland, Bright 25 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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Arthur’s Cottage, Cudgewa 82 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 125 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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Jacarri Eco-Cottage, Goongerah 152 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 230 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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Adobe Mudbrick Holiday Flats, Mallacoota 245 km

These 12 rustic mudbrick flats were ecologically designed to avoid the need for air-conditioning, and have solar hot water and rainwater tanks. The 32-hectare surrounds are managed as a Land for Wildlife property,... Find out more

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Freeburgh Park Area 13 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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Harrietville Park Area 19 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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Information Board Park Area 24 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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Dannys Lookout Park Area 27 km

51 km SE of Bright (L) or 58 km NW of Omeo (R) Small area adjacent to the road. GPS: S36 59.089 E147 06.849... Find out more

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Eurobin Rest Area 30 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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Victoria Falls Camp Area 45 km

89 km SE of Bright (L) or 20 km NW of Omeo (R) Small secluded campground 600 metres off the road. Limited shade. NOTE: Unsealed access. GPS: S37 05.622 E147 25.503... 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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Lookout Rest Area 54 km

102 km SE of Bright (L) or 7 km NW of Omeo (R) Small area just off the road at the lookout. GPS: S37 07.605 E147 32.070... Find out more

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Oriental Claims Park Area 54 km

107 km SE of Bright (L) or 2 km NW of Omeo (R) Small picnic area at a historical site beside a creek 500 metres off the highway. NOTE: Unsealed access. GPS: S37 06.465 E147 34.560... Find out more

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Burgoigee Creek Rest Area 60 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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Pioneer Bridges Rest Area 67 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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Tambo River No.1 Rest Area 81 km

33 km S of Omeo (L) or 88 km N of Bairnsdale (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S37 18.168 E147 45.091 ... Find out more

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Ironbark Rest Area 81 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 82 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 91 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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Mullengandra Rest Area 94 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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Tambo River No.2 Rest Area 94 km

49 km S of Omeo (L) or 72 km N of Bairnsdale (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S37 24.276 E147 50.096... Find out more

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Howlong Rest Area 97 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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Mokoan Rest Area 99 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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Woomargama Rest Area 101 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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Police Paddocks Camp Area 103 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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Casey Weir Rest Area 114 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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Lower Ovens Regional Park Camp Area 115 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 120 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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Holbrook Park Area 123 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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Nicholson Park Area 130 km

East side of town Small parking area overlooking the river. Good facilities. GPS: S37 49.031 E147 44.409... Find out more

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Providence Ponds Rest Area 131 km

17 km E of Stratford (R) or 35 km W of Bairnsdale (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S37 55.267 E147 16.401  ... Find out more

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Yarrawonga West Rest Area 134 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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Nalinga Rest Area 136 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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Balmattum Rest Area 137 km

67 km NE of Seymour (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S36 42.821 E145 38.131  ... Find out more

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