Explore Australia

Avenue of Honour Visitors to the town are greeted by the sight of the renowned Avenue of Honour, an elm-lined stretch of road built in honour of the Australian soldiers who fought in WW I. Eastern approach to town.Big Apple Tourist Orchard: fresh produce market; Avenue of Honour. Historic buildings: include The Manor, the original home of the town's founder, Captain Bacchus (now privately owned), and Border Inn, built in 1850, thought to be the state's first stop for Cobb & Co coaches travelling to the goldfields; details from visitor centre. Local history museum: connected to the blacksmith cottage and forge; open Sat–Sun; Main St. Naturipe Fruits, Strawberry, Peach and Nectarine Farm: pick-your-own fruits and roadside sales; Avenue of Honour.

Lerderderg State Park Featuring the imposing Lerderderg Gorge, the 14 250-ha park is a great venue for picnics, bushwalking and swimming, while the Lerderderg River is ideal for trout fishing. The area was mined during the gold rush, and remnants from the water races used for washing gold can still be found upstream from O'Brien's Crossing. Late winter and spring are good times to see wildflowers and blossoming shrubs. Look out for koalas nestled in giant manna gums and for the magnificent sulphur-crested cockatoo and the wedge-tailed eagle. Contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963. Access via Western Fwy to Bacchus Marsh–Gisborne and Lerderderg Gorge rds; 10 km N.Werribee Gorge State Park Over time the Werribee River has carved through ancient seabed sediment and lava flows to form a spectacular gorge. The name 'Werribee' comes from the Aboriginal word 'Wearibi', meaning 'swimming place' or 'backbone', perhaps in reference to the snake-like path of the river. Rock climbing is permitted at Falcons Lookout and a popular walk follows the Werribee River from the Meikles Pt picnic area, providing views of the river and the gorge cliff-faces. Contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963. Access via Western Fwy and Pentland Hills Rd to Myers Rd, or via Ironbark Rd (the Ballan–Ingliston Rd) from the Bacchus Marsh–Anakie Rd; 10 km W. Sunbury wine region This small but historic wine region is found on the north-west doorstep of Melbourne, just beyond Tullamarine airport. Goona Warra Vineyard was established in 1863, and its winery is set in an original bluestone building. Craiglee, just over the road, was established only a year later in 1864. Shiraz is the specialty of both labels, and Craiglee’s shiraz has won several trophies. Other wineries include Galli Estate, Wildwood and Witchmount.  Long Forest Flora Reserve: a great example of the distinctive mallee scrub that once covered the region; 2 km NE. St Anne's Vineyard: with a bluestone cellar built from the remains of the old Ballarat Gaol; Western Fwy; 6 km W. Merrimu Reservoir: attractive park area with picnic facilities; about 10 km NE. Organ Pipes National Park: lava flows have created a 20-metre wall of basalt columns in this small park near Sunbury. The ‘organ pipes’can be seen close-up via an easy walking trail. Melton: now virtually a satellite suburb of Melbourne, this town has a long and rich history of horse breeding and training. Visit the Willow Homestead to see exhibits detailing the life of early settlers (open Wed, Fri and Sun), picnic on the Werribee River at Melton Reservoir, or taste the fine wines in the nearby Sunbury Wine Region; 14 km E. Brisbane Ranges National Park: with good walking tracks, wildflowers during spring and the imposing, steep-sided Anakie Gorge; 16 km SW. Ballan: try the refreshing mineral-spring water at Bostock Reservoir, or join in the festivities at the Vintage Machinery and Vehicle Rally in Feb, and an Autumn Festival held each Mar; 20 km NW. Blackwood: visit the Mineral Springs Reserve and Garden of St Erth (closed Wed and Thurs). Blackwood is also the start of the 53 km return scenic drive through the Wombat State Forest; 31 km NW.

Werribee 40 km

The Werribee River is popular, both as an access point to the bay and the estuary itself. Excellent catches of whiting and flathead are made inshore near the weed beds. Further offshore, the deeper reefs have a big... Find out more

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Altona to Williamstown 43 km

The skyline stretching around the shore from Altona to Williamstown provides an unlikely backdrop for top fishing. Industry dominates, in particular refineries, with flames burning off gases. However, anglers who fish... Find out more

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Maribyrnong River 44 km

The age-old adage about the grass supposedly being greener somewhere else applies to fishing around Melbourne. Many anglers who head out of town do so because they don’t believe any serious fishing is possible... Find out more

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Yarra River 44 km

Mulloway are one of the most sought and least caught Victorian species. Anglers often put in hundreds of hours in unsuccessful quests for a trophy of this enigmatic species. During autumn, reports tell of mulloway being... Find out more

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Inner Harbour 45 km

Following the inner harbour around from Bird Rock you pass Avalon Beach, which is little more than a collection of old huts. There is a boat ramp at the west end of Avalon Beach and the seagrass beds between the old... Find out more

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Bird Rock 46 km

An area on the north side of the outer harbour, opposite Point Henry, from Bird Rock east to an area known as the ‘Quarries’ (due to the large quarry on the shore), produces snapper most of the year. Anglers... Find out more

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Point Wilson 47 km

Opposite Clifton Springs, the long Commonwealth Explosives Pier easily distinguishes Point Wilson. Boaters need to stay at least  300 m away from the pier at all times. The waters surrounding the pier produce... Find out more

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Point Henry 50 km

Point Henry is a sand spit point on the southern shore of Corio Bay and is the demarcation between the inner and outer harbours. It is distinctive in that there is a large aluminium smelter and a long pier used to unload... Find out more

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Western Shore 52 km

Taking a southerly route around the bay from the lagoon you pass a large industrial and waterfront area. The next fishable water from shore is North Shore rocks, just outside the entrance to Corio Quay. During winter,... Find out more

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St Kilda 52 km

St Kilda Marina gives boat anglers easy access to excellent snapper and whiting grounds. Inshore there is plenty of seagrass and sand areas for whiting while the deeper waters offer reef areas for snapper. The St Kilda... Find out more

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Brisbane Ranges National Park 27 km

With a vibrant koala population, this relatively small national park only 80 kilometres west of Melbourne has picnic areas, walking tracks through rocky gorges and a basic camping area.... Find out more

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Melbourne Zoo 47 km

Melbourne has a choice of two excellent zoos: Melbourne Zoo, with more than 320 species on display; and the 225-hectare open range zoo at Werribee, about 30 minutes drive from the city centre (access from the Princes... Find out more

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Mountain-biking around Melbourne 49 km

With 20 kilometres of tracks developed by the Mountain Bike Association of Australia, Lysterfield Lake Park has something for all standard of mountain-biker, including family-friendly loops and exciting single-track... Find out more

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Indigenous tours - Melbourne 50 km

To grasp what Melbourne was like before the skyscrapers arrived you can take a two-hour Koori Heritage Trust walking tour. You will gain an insight into Indigenous history and the natural and cultural landscape of the... Find out more

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Cycling around Melbourne 51 km

Melbourne has an active cycling community that has helped develop and establish some great routes and a network of cycle paths. One of the best sources of information is Bicycle Victoria. One option is to hop on the Main... Find out more

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Golden Nugget Discovery Tours, Ballarat 52 km

This carbon-neutral business in Ballarat runs small, personalised tours of no more than six people in the Goldfields region, with three themes – wild nature, gold history and heritage, and food and wine.... Find out more

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Marine Discovery Centre, Queenscliff 69 km

Primarily set up to educate school children about the marine environment, this government-run facility also has an interesting holiday program and an interactive aquarium and touch tanks. Holiday activities include... Find out more

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Swim with dolphins, Sorrento 78 km

In the warmer six months of the year, the eco-accredited Moonraker Charters will help you get in the water, swimming alongside Australian fur-seals and bottlenose dolphins. Of course, swimming is not compulsory on the... Find out more

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Dandenong Ranges National Park 86 km

About an hour’s drive out of Melbourne, some 35 kilometres east of the city, this park has forests of towering mountain ash and lush, damp fern gullies. Around 300 kilometres of walking tracks crisscross the park,... Find out more

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Bicentennial National Trail - Healesville starting point 95 km

Acclaimed as the longest-marked, nonmotorised, multi-use trekking route in the world, this track traverses an incredible 5330 kilometres from Healesville to Cooktown in north Queensland, passing through 18 national... Find out more

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Eynesbury Golf Club 16 km

Some golf courses, Graham Marsh believes, are created not with strategy in mind, but simply with the aim of penalising bad shots. ‘We are pitching golf at a level that is just too difficult,’ he says.... Find out more

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Sanctuary Lakes Resort 38 km

Greg Norman stood on the balcony of a second-storey building in the late 1990s and surveyed the vast plain of salty wasteland before him. Beside him was Bob Harrison, chief course architect of Greg Norman Golf Design.... Find out more

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Royal Melbourne Golf Club (West Course) 62 km

Golf is unique in that it allows its devoted followers – no matter how good or bad their swing – the opportunity to emulate the champions of their sport on the finest arenas the game has to offer. The... Find out more

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Royal Melbourne Golf Club (East Course) 62 km

Dr Alister MacKenzie was long gone from Royal Melbourne and construction of his West course was in full swing when the idea of a second course was mooted. Two plots of land east of the main site at Black Rock had ... Find out more

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Victoria Golf Club 63 km

Strategy wins out over brute strength every time at Victoria Golf Club, acclaimed worldwide as a fantastic shot-makers’ course. This is probably why the club has produced so many fine players. Peter Thomson... Find out more

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Yarra Yarra Golf Club 63 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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Metropolitan Golf Club 63 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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Riversdale Golf Club 64 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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Commonwealth Golf Club 64 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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Huntingdale Golf Club 64 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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Holgate Brewhouse 36 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) 52 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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3 Ravens Brewing Company 53 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 53 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 63 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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Matilda Bay Garage Brewery 78 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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Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company 83 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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Red Hill Brewery 94 km

Becoming hop farmers wasn’t part of their business plan when David and Karen Golding first applied to develop a microbrewery and cafe from their Mornington Peninsula property. Ultimately, though, they were advised... Find out more

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Otway Estate Brewery 115 km

Located 12 kilometres from Colac, Otway Estate Winery was established in 1983, specialising in cool-climate wines; a microbrewery was added in 2007. Head brewer Luke Scott oversees the production of up to 15 different... Find out more

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Purrumbete Brewing Company (Red Duck) 125 km

Scott and Vanessa Wilson-Browne are another couple of ‘ale changers’ who swapped busy Melbourne careers to move to the country, bring up their young family, and brew and market craft ales. Along the way, they... Find out more

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Bacchus Marsh Caravan Park 1 km

Bacchus Marsh is on the Western Highway just outside Melbourne’s city limits. West of here is the scenic Werribee Gorge State Park, while to the north is the equally striking sandstone gorge of the Lerderderg... Find out more

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Bush camping (walk-in camping) 9 km

Walk-in camping is allowed within the conservation zone that covers most of the park; confirm which areas you can stay in with the rangers. Remember that the river can rise quickly after heavy rain, which will affect... Find out more

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Boar Gully camping area 18 km

The campsites at Boar Gully need to be booked in advance. Boar Gully is at one end of the 3-day Burchell Trail that traverses the park; the other is at the Steiglitz Courthouse. While navigating this track, bushwalkers... Find out more

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O’Briens Crossing picnic and camping area 21 km

O’Briens Crossing is a lovely picnic spot in the north of the park. From here you can walk west to Shaws Lake and Sweets Lookout. Experienced bushwalkers should consider shadowing the Lerderderg River across the... Find out more

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Upper Chadwick Campground 22 km

The camping area at Upper Chadwick is on the border between Lerderderg State Park and Wombat State Forest, close to O’Briens Crossing – continue east from the crossing on O’Briens Road and then head... Find out more

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Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park 25 km

Blackwood struck it big (albeit briefly) as a goldmining area in the 1850s and visitors can still pan for gold here. They can also take numerous walks in the area, including to the springs, along the Lerderderg River and... Find out more

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Firth Park picnic and camping area 27 km

Firth Park is an old sawmill site in the northern section of Wombat State Forest; there are visible remnants of the logging that was done here. There’s plenty of room for tents, but the space available for caravans... Find out more

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Fridays Camping Area 30 km

Fridays is located at the western end of the national park and has basic facilities. There are a number of great walks to the east of here around Stony Creek. The 3 km Anakie Gorge walk is a good leg-stretcher. For a bit... Find out more

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Bush camping 32 km

Permitted within the forest. Contact ranger for details.... Find out more

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Melbourne BIG4 Holiday Park 49 km

This is a tourist park in a quiet area of Melbourne’s northern suburbs, just 9 km from Melbourne’s CBD. The park has relatively easy access to the Hume Highway and other northern approaches and is a popular... Find out more

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A Welcome Stranger Holiday Park 50 km

Located 2.5 km east of Ballarat, this is a good quality park in a quiet, easily accessible area. The park has a large number of sites, a heated pool, a spa, minigolf, an adventure playground and a tennis court. We... Find out more

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Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park 51 km

Centrally located (2 km from the city centre) and easily accessible, this quality park has a wide range of accommodation and very good facilities, including a heated pool and spa, and bathrooms for children and families.... Find out more

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Bellarine Bayside Holiday Parks - Portarlington 52 km

This beachfront park with a large number of powered sites is a very popular summerholiday park on a safe, bayside beach, with loads of appeal for families. The park has extensive facilities and is just 1.25 km from the... Find out more

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Barwon River Tourist Park 55 km

On the south side of the Barwon River about 2 km from the centre of Geelong, this place has good facilities and is easily accessible. There are nicely shaded sites and it is just a short walk to the shopping centre. A... Find out more

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Geelong Riverview Tourist Park 55 km

This is a great park on the south side of the Barwon River, just 2 km from the centre of Geelong. Bookings are required at Christmas, Easter and long weekends.... Find out more

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Riverglen Holiday Park 55 km

This is a large, owner-operated park with good facilities and is located just 2 km from the centre of Geelong. Bookings are required at Christmas, Easter and long weekends, with a minimum-stay period at Easter and long... Find out more

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BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park 60 km

This well-established, quality park is in a quiet rural area 6 km west of the city on the old Western Highway. It has a great range of facilities including a spa, sauna and tennis court. Bookings are required at Easter... Find out more

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Geelong Surfcoast Highway Holiday Park 63 km

This park between Geelong and Torquay has been rejuvenated as a tourist park and importantly for those who travel with pets is one of the very few parks in the region that takes pets. It is easily accessible from the... Find out more

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Alto Hotel on Bourke 48 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 85 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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Apollo Bay Youth Hostel 138 km

This relatively new hostel was built with an eco-friendly design, including thermal storage banks and other passive solar heating and cooling. It also has solar hot water, rainwater tanks, a worm farm, drought-tolerant... Find out more

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Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology 150 km

There are not many better-thought-out ecotourism ventures than this superb multi-award-winning facility on Cape Otway. It has its own 66-hectare wildlife refuge and doubles as a shelter for injured and orphaned wildlife,... Find out more

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Grampians Eco YHA 180 km

At this eco-hostel you sleep under roof tiles that are actually solar panels. Any extra power generated is fed back to the electricity grid. The passive solar building, featuring rammed earth walls, also has solar... Find out more

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The Buckland, Bright 241 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 247 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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Meredith Park Area 37 km

West side of town Large area located in a side street (turn off at the roadhouse) at Pioneer Park. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S37 50.818 E144 04.397  ... Find out more

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Clarendon Rest Area 40 km

26 km S of Ballarat (R) or 60 km N of Geelong (L) Large secluded area just off the highway behind some shady trees. GPS: S37 42.501 E143 58.964... Find out more

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Mount Franklin Rest Area 52 km

26 km S of Castlemaine (L) or 10 km N of Daylesford (R) Large secluded area located 1 kilometre off the highway in a very pleasant forest setting. Good shade. GPS: S37 15.937 E144 09.044... Find out more

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Slatey Creek Camp Area 53 km

T/O at Creswick Small secluded campground located 6 kilometres south- east of Creswick via Bungaree Road, Slatey Creek Road, and Petticoat Road. NOTE: Access road part unsealed GPS: S37 27.744 E143 54.246... Find out more

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Creswick South Rest Area 55 km

3 km S of Creswick (R) or 16 km N of Ballarat (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 26.581 E143 53.335... Find out more

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Leigh River Rest Area 57 km

27 km W of Geelong (R) or 122 km E of Mortlake (L) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S38 05.945 E144 03.855  ... Find out more

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Vaughan Springs Camp Area 61 km

T/O 9 km S of Castlemaine (L) or 27 km N of Daylesford (R) Small campground 6 kilometres east of the highway via Vaughan Springs Road. Good facilities at nearby picnic area. GPS: S37 09.576 E144 12.861... Find out more

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Smythesdale Park Area 66 km

East side of town Secluded town park situated among numerous trees well off the highway via Gardens Street. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Camping available for a fee. GPS: S37 38.372 E143 41.141... Find out more

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Jessie Kennedy Rest Area 67 km

6 km S of Castlemaine (R) or 30 km N of Daylesford (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S37 06.621 E144 11.057... Find out more

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Woady Yaloak Creek Rest Area 70 km

26 km E of Skipton (L) or 6 km W of Smythesdale (R) Large secluded area surrounded by scrub just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 40.692 E143 38.337 ... Find out more

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Torquay Park Area 73 km

Middle of town via Gilbert Street Small town park on the Esplanade. GPS: S38 19.51 E144 19.38 ... Find out more

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Winchelsea Park Area 83 km

On the riverbank Large grassed area just off the highway. Very good shade and facilities. GPS: S38 14.19 E143 49.18 ... Find out more

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Anglesea Park Area 84 km

West side of town Large area adjacent to the road on the west side of town. Good facilities. GPS: S38 24.33 E144 11.19 ... Find out more

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Ravenswood Rest Area 87 km

20 km S of Bendigo (R) or 130 km N of Melbourne (L) Large open area just off the motorway. Good facilities. GPS: S36 54.589 E144 13.296... Find out more

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Jock Comini Rest Area 88 km

18 km S of Bendigo (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S36 53.57 E144 13.07... Find out more

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Urquharts Beach Park Area 89 km

6 km SW of Anglesea (L) or 23 km NE Lorne (R) Small area located 500 metres off the highway on the foreshore. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S38 26.10 E144 07.49 ... Find out more

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Lexton South Rest Area 90 km

27 km S of Avoca (L) or 43 km N of Ballarat (R) Large area just off the highway. Only limited shade. GPS: S37 17.21 E143 32.50 ... Find out more

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Trawool Rest Area 94 km

10 km SE of Seymour (L) or 28 km NW of Yea (R) Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 05.445 E145 12.149... Find out more

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King Parrot Creek Rest Area 94 km

21 km SE of Seymour (L) or 17 km NW of Yea (R) Large area well off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 08.741 E145 16.08... Find out more

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Happy Jacks Rest Area 96 km

At Lockwood on Alt Calder Hwy (A790) Large grassed area around a few trees just off the highway. Good facilities located 100 metres south. GPS: S36 50.29 E144 09.20  ... Find out more

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Bendigo South Park Area 100 km

South side of town Parking adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S36 47.308 E144 14.721... Find out more

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Lismore Park Area 101 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S37 57.230 E143 20.596... Find out more

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Taungurung Rest Area 102 km

19 km S of Nagambie (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S36 56.894 E145 08.707... Find out more

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Yea East Rest Area 102 km

1 km E of Yea (R) or 30 km W of Alexandra (L) Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 12.758 E145 26.283... Find out more

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Grass Tree Rest Area 103 km

25 km NE of Seymour (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Excellent facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S36 57.783 E145 10.839 ... Find out more

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Lorne Park Area 103 km

East side of town Small town park on the foreshore off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S38 31.51 E143 58.48 ... Find out more

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Bendigo North Park Area 104 km

North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway near the lake. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S36 44.820 E144 17.575... Find out more

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Colac Park Area 104 km

Middle of town Small parking area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S38 20.16 E143 35.41 ... Find out more

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Coach Road Rest Area 107 km

90 km S of Benalla (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S36 56.537 E145 12.767... Find out more

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Lake Tooliorook Camp Area 107 km

T/O 98 km W of Geelong (L) or 51 km E of Mortlake (R) Large grassed area around trees on the edge of the lake 5 kilometres south of Lismore. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S37 58.653 E143 17.079... Find out more

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