Explore Australia

Historic buildings: the post office, several banks and general stores, with the Bank of Victoria now preserved as a museum, open Sun and school holidays. Explore these and other buildings on a self-guide walk; details from visitor centre; High St. Ray Riddington's Premier Store and Gallery: displays and sales of local art; High St. The Old Stone Bridge: a beautiful old structure, built in 1857; High St. Arts and crafts: many outlets in town, including Yackandandah Workshop, cnr Kars and Hammond sts, and Wildon Thyme, High St. Antiques: Finders Bric-a-Brac and Old Wares, High St; Frankly Speaking, High St; and Vintage Sounds Restoration, specialising in antique gramophones, radios and telephones, Windham St. Rosedale Garden and Tea Rooms: Devonshire teas; Kars St.

Kars Reef Goldmine: take a tour of this fascinating old goldmine, or try your hand at gold panning (licence required); details of tours from visitor centre; Kars St. Lavender Patch Plant Farm: sales of plants and lavender products; Beechworth Rd; 4 km W. Kirbys Flat Pottery and Gallery: Kirbys Flat Rd; open weekends or by appt; 4 km S. Indigo Valley: a picturesque area with a scenic drive leading along the valley floor to Barnawatha; 6 km NW. Allans Flat: a great destination for food lovers, with The Vienna Patisserie for coffee, ice-cream and delicious Austrian cakes (closed Tues). Also here are Parks Wines and Schmidt's Strawberry Winery, both with tastings and sales; 10 km NE. Wombat Valley Tramways: a small-gauge railway; open Easter or by appt for groups; Leneva; 16 km NE.

Kiewa River 35 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 Hume 36 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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Lower Mitta Mitta 41 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 Buffalo 48 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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Lake Guy 64 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 70 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 74 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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Lake Mulwala 81 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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Nariel Creek 88 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 96 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 44 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 47 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 47 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 73 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 82 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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Rafting - Mitta Mitta and Murray Rivers 95 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 108 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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Indigenous tour - Shepparton 130 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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Bushwalking in the Snowy Mountains 134 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 141 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 190 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) 208 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 231 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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Royal Canberra Golf Club (Westbourne course) 232 km

When the site for the nation’s capital was selected in 1909, it was mainly rolling grassy plains with few trees. Little was known about what species might flourish in Canberra’s environment. The federal... Find out more

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Huntingdale Golf Club 236 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 236 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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Spring Valley Golf Club 237 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 238 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 238 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 240 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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Star Hotel

Built in 1863, this popular hotel bistro does classic pub food a rung or two above what you might expect. They know their patrons do not always have huge appetites and so offer smaller serves such as half schnitzels and... Find out more

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Sticky Tarts Cafe

This charming reproduction shopfront cafe looks every bit as historic as its neighbours, possibly because it was built from recycled timbers and fittings. With seating on the pavement as well as on a rear deck, it offers... Find out more

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Bridge Road Brewers 15 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 47 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 125 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 198 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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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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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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William Bull Brewery 235 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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Holgate Brewhouse 237 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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Wig & Pen Brewery/Tavern 237 km

Canberra may well claim to be the real ale capital of Australia on the strength of this single brew-pub, which sees more pints of hand-pumped ale pulled than any other joint in the land. From the well-balanced and... Find out more

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Stanley Forest camping areas 5 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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Reedy Creek camping area 22 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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Richardsons Bend camping area 31 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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Doolans Bend camping area 35 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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Nug Nug Reserve camping area 40 km

This picturesque camping area has plenty of sites to spread out in, and facilities that include cold showers. There are also concrete tennis courts if you tire of water-based activities. Right next door is Mt Buffalo... Find out more

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North Cedars Holiday Park 44 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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Lake Catani Campground 47 km

It’s possible to camp among the snow gums on the eastern side of Lake Catani. From Lake Catani, cycle or stroll the 2 km track leading to the Gorge, where there are some sublime views of distant mountains. The... Find out more

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Shaws Flat camping area 48 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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Cottontree picnic and camping area 48 km

This lovely camping area is west of the town of Granya, down Webbs La. Take the short walk from here to the seasonal Granya Falls, which passes by a Scout hut built in the 1930s. A tad more challenging is the 6 km... Find out more

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Gooramadda State Forest (Police Paddocks) camping area 48 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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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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Albury Central Tourist Park 29 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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Lake Hume Tourist Park 29 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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Albury City Gate Holiday Park 32 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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North Cedars Holiday Park 44 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 46 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 53 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 54 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 77 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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Yarrawonga Holiday Park 83 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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Creek Haven Cottage

Surrounded by a beautiful garden on a 12‑hectare property with creek frontage a few kilometres from Yackandandah, this self-contained cottage is set well away from the main homestead and offers accommodation for up to... Find out more

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Karalilla B&B

Located just 5 kilometres from town, this traditional B&B is housed in a beautifully restored 1911 homestead surrounded by a beautiful cottage garden on 16 hectares in the tranquil Ben Valley. There are four in-house... Find out more

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The Odd Frog, Bright 48 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 48 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 84 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 151 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 201 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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MillDuck, Harcourt North 239 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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Ironbark Rest Area 26 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 26 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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Burgoigee Creek Rest Area 28 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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Myrtleford Park Area 29 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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Pioneer Bridges Rest Area 32 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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Indigo Creek Rest Area 35 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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Eurobin Rest Area 36 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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Howlong Rest Area 41 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 48 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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Freeburgh Park Area 54 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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Mullengandra Rest Area 55 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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Lower Ovens Regional Park Camp Area 64 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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Woomargama Rest Area 65 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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Harrietville Park Area 67 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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Bundalong Rest Area 69 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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Mokoan Rest Area 69 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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Information Board Park Area 72 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 78 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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Casey Weir Rest Area 82 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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Yarrawonga West Rest Area 85 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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Bruces Beach No.2 Camp Area 91 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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Holbrook Park Area 91 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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Bourkes Bend No.1 Camp Area 98 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 98 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 98 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 98 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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Victoria Falls Camp Area 101 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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Nalinga Rest Area 103 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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Lookout Rest Area 110 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 110 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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