Explore Australia

Information Centre: local history display and an old-style, operating water wheel, 6 m in diameter. A wood-fired bakery is adjacent to the centre; Warburton Hwy. River Walk: 9 km return walk, following a pretty stretch of the Yarra River; starts at Signs Bridge on Warburton Hwy. Upper Yarra Arts Centre: cinema with regular screenings and a variety of live performances held during the year; Warburton Hwy. Warburton Golf Course: with great views across the river valley; Dammans Rd. O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail: good walking and cycling track that follows the historic open channelled aqueduct; details from visitor centre.

Yarra Ranges National Park Here, tall mountain ash trees give way to pockets of cool temperate rainforest. Mt Donna Buang, a popular daytrip destination – especially during winter, when it is often snow-covered – is 17 km NW of Warburton. The Rainforest Gallery on the southern slopes of the mountain features a treetop viewing platform and walkway. Night walk tours here reveal some of Victoria's unique nocturnal creatures. Acheron Way is a scenic 37 km drive north through the park to Marysville. Along the way are views of Mt Victoria and Ben Cairn. Drive starts 1 km E of town.

Yarra Centre: indoor sports and swimming; Yarra Junction, Warburton Hwy; 9 km SW. Yarra Junction Historical Museum: local history displays; open 1–5pm Sun or by appt; Warburton Hwy; 10 km SW. Upper Yarra Reservoir: picnic and camping facilities; 23 km NE. Walk into History: takes in the goldmining and timber region from Warburton East to Powelltown (25 km S); details from visitor centre. Ada Tree: a giant mountain ash over 300 years old; access from Powelltown. Yellingbo State Fauna Reserve: good for nature spotting. Home to the helmeted honeyeater, a state emblem; 25 km SW. Vineyards: several in the region, many with tastings and sales. They include the Yarra Burn Winery, the Five Oaks Vineyard and the Brahams Creek Winery. Rail trails: former railway tracks now used for walking, bikeriding or horseriding, the main one being the Lilydale to Warburton trail; details from visitor centre.

Rubicon River 53 km

The Rubicon, one of Victoria’s legendary trout waters, is popular with trout anglers who fish using all methods available. Rising in forested hills with a steep gradient in the headwaters, the river varies from... Find out more

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Goulburn River 57 km

The Goulburn River from Eildon Pondage to Alexandra is one of the most popular stretches of trout water in Victoria. Places like Thornton, ‘Gilmore’s Bridge’ and the Breakaway, where the Acheron River... Find out more

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Patterson River 60 km

The Patterson River is well known for bream, and walking and bike tracks on both sides of the river offer ease of access for bank fishing. The most productive waters are in the marinas between the Mornington Peninsula... Find out more

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Eildon Pondage 61 km

Boating is not allowed on Eildon Pondage, which is just below the dam wall at Eildon. Nevertheless, it is one of the most heavily fished waters in the state and is an ideal family spot, with barbecues and toilet... Find out more

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Carrum 62 km

The Launching Way boat ramp facility at Carrum is the best in the bay but during snapper season anglers who haven’t launched their boats and parked their cars by about 6am have to go elsewhere. Managed by Parks... Find out more

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Lake Eildon 64 km

Lake Eildon is Victoria’s most popular freshwater fishing spot. Part of its popularity is due to its proximity to metropolitan Melbourne. Lilydale is just a 90 min drive away, either over the Black Spur or via Yea.... Find out more

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St Kilda 64 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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Maribyrnong River 69 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 70 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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Altona to Williamstown 74 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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Bicentennial National Trail - Healesville starting point 19 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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Dandenong Ranges National Park 28 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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Baw Baw National Park 57 km

This 13 300-hectare national park cradles the low-key ski resort at Mount Baw Baw, the closest downhill ski resort to Melbourne. Near the resort are 10 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails (and you can hire gear at... Find out more

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Cycling around Melbourne 63 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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Indigenous tours - Melbourne 64 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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Mountain-biking around Melbourne 64 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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Melbourne Zoo 65 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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Kayaking on Phillip Island 87 km

For a great way to start the day, join a kayaking breakfast tour at Phillip Island Holiday Hire, which starts with a 45-minute paddle from Cowes and includes a civilised breakfast at a cafe. There is also a Devonshire... Find out more

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Wildlife-watching - Phillip Island 92 km

Phillip Island is best known for the little penguins that come ashore every night (bookings essential). But spend time exploring the area and you will find Seal Rocks, with Australia’s largest colony of fur-seals,... Find out more

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Swim with dolphins, Sorrento 106 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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RACV Healesville Country Club 20 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) 35 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 52 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 54 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 55 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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The Sandhurst Club (North Course) 55 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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Southern Golf Club 55 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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Metropolitan Golf Club 56 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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The Sandhurst Club (Champions Course) 56 km

The Champions course at Sandhurst is the latest addition to the Melbourne sandbelt portfolio. Officially opened for play in 2008, it was designed by Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett, the same duo who created the... Find out more

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Amstel Golf Club (Ranfurlie course) 56 km

Like a good single-malt Scotch whisky, some golf courses are appreciated more once they have aged. When Amstel Golf Club was looking to expand beyond its 18-hole Park course, it commissioned Mike Clayton to design a ... Find out more

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Wild Thyme

Muso Alan Seppings runs this bohemian cafe in the middle of the main street in Warburton. He encourages local bands with an ‘open mike’ jam night on the first Saturday of the month, and invites bands from... Find out more

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Bulong Estate Winery & Restaurant

Nestled among the vines in a natural amphitheatre looking east to Mount Donna Buang and the Brittannia Ranges, this modern winery restaurant has spacious decks and established oak trees for alfresco dining accompanied by... Find out more

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Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company 30 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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Matilda Bay Garage Brewery 54 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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3 Ravens Brewing Company 58 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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2 Brothers Brewery 59 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 Goat Brewery 60 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) 61 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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Jamieson Brewery 65 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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Grand Ridge Brewery 83 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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Red Hill Brewery 92 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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Holgate Brewhouse 112 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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Starlings Gap camping area 12 km

Starlings Gap is in the path of 2 excellent forest walking tracks, with the 9 km walk to Big Pats Picnic Area, which follows the 1933 federal tramway, arguably the highlight. In the camping area itself, take a look at... Find out more

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Bush camping 12 km

Walk–in sites only along the Walk Into History trail. No facilities, but toilet located at Big Pats Creek. Trail brochure available from DSE.... Find out more

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Ada No.2 Mill camping area (walk-in camping) 16 km

Tucked away deep in the forest, this is a walk-in bush camping spot on the 33 km, 2-day Walk into History Trail that leads from Warburton to Powelltown. The section of the track heading from the mill up to Highlead... Find out more

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Federal Mill camping area (walk-in camping) 16 km

Like Ada No. 2 Mill, Federal Mill is an overnight camping option for hikers who are tackling all or part of the Walk into History Trail between Powelltown and Warburton. It’s not far south of the soaring,... Find out more

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Kurth Kiln picnic and camping area 19 km

This camping area is accessed via Soldiers Rd, which branches off the Gembrook–Launching Place Rd. As you stroll through the mountain ash, keep your eyes peeled for swamp wallabies and echidnas.... Find out more

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Blue Range camping area (bush camping) 19 km

You can go bush camping in a cleared area in the north of the park along Bunyip Ridge Track, off Bunyip River Rd. You’ll need a 4WD and must be fully equipped, as there are no facilities here. The pay-off is that... Find out more

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Upper Yarra Reservoir Park camping area 20 km

This camping area is spacious and wheelchair-accessible, and if the weather is wet, you can take shelter in a large hall equipped with electric barbecues. For a fine view over the reservoir, take the steep 2 km track to... Find out more

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Nash Creek camping area 21 km

In the heart of the park, Nash Creek has an isolated feel. It’s reached via Black Snake Creek Rd, west of the junction with Bunyip River Rd. From the nearby Dyers Picnic Ground you can undertake the 17 km Dyer... Find out more

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Latrobe River camping area 23 km

This camping area is sited next to the Latrobe River in the south of the park. If you find the surrounding mountain ash mesmerising, make sure you hunt out the sky-scraping Ada Tree, a real giant – one of the... Find out more

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Gentle Annie camping area (bush camping) 24 km

Like Blue Range, this is another cleared bush camping area in the north of the park. It’s close to the Lawson Falls Picnic Ground, where walking tracks provide a gentle half-hour or a more-challenging 2-hour... Find out more

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Glen Cromie Caravan Park 40 km

In a large, park-like setting on the banks of a stream, this is a popular caravan park during weekends and holiday periods. It is a great place for a family break and just a short drive from the greater Melbourne area.... Find out more

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Wantirna Park 43 km

This is a large park with a limited number of tourist sites. Located in the eastern suburbs, its facilities include tennis courts and a recreation room. It is good value. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Crystal Brook Tourist Park 45 km

This park is undergoing a transformation and will cater for tourists. It has good facilities and is located in a leafy area of the northeastern suburbs of Melbourne. A minimum-length stay applies during holiday periods.... Find out more

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Warragul Gardens Holiday Park 50 km

This owner-operated park has spacious grassy sites, good facilities and great amenities. However, the focal point is the magnificent gardens; these alone make the park worth a visit. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more

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BIG4 Dandenong Tourist Park 53 km

Just 6 km south of Dandenong, this is a good quality park, ideal for those wanting to stay on the eastern side of Melbourne. It is very close to the Jayco factory. Bookings are required in peak times and a minimum-stay... Find out more

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Melbourne BIG4 Holiday Park 62 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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Rawson Caravan Park 67 km

Close to Walhalla, Thomson Dam, the forests and the mountains, this little-known park is an excellent base for exploring the local area. It has good facilities, including a bistro. Bookings are required in peak periods... Find out more

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BIG4 Frankston Holiday Park 67 km

This is a good quality park in the far outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It is a great base for those exploring the Mornington Peninsula or those connecting with the Sorrento to Queenscliff ferry. Bookings are... Find out more

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Park Lane Tourist Park 86 km

This is a very good quality park with gleaming amenities and excellent facilities. The park is about 2 km east of town, on the highway. It is a great base from which to explore the Latrobe Valley and surrounding areas.... Find out more

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Charnwood Cottages

There are two country cottages designed for a romantic escape: Ella’s Cottage has a four-poster queen-size bed, while Savannah’s Cottage is furnished with a decorative wrought-iron queen-size bed. Both are... Find out more

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Forget Me Not Cottages

Set amid peaceful gardens with a meandering creek and waterfalls, these three themed stone cottages are designed indulgently for just one couple, with colourful decor and private outdoor hot spa. A self-contained water... Find out more

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3 Kings B&B

These three apartments’ weatherboard, country-style exterior belies the sleek, contemporary design and luxury fittings inside. You can relax in the spa bath, or in the comfortable lounge while warming yourself by... Find out more

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Alto Hotel on Bourke 65 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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The Buckland, Bright 154 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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MillDuck, Harcourt North 156 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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The Odd Frog, Bright 159 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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Apollo Bay Youth Hostel 209 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 224 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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Gumbuya Rest Area 35 km

77 km E of Melbourne (L) or 40 km W of Yarragon (R) Small secluded area well off the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S38 04.274 E145 39.807... Find out more

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Bunyip Rest Area 39 km

29 km W of Yarragon (L) westbound only Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S38 05.446 E145 48.423... Find out more

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Yea East Rest Area 64 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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Trafalgar Park Area 65 km

Middle of town Parking adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS S38 12.481 E146 09.272... Find out more

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Claires Rest Area 66 km

25 km E of Yea (L) or 6 km NW of Alexandra (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 09.466 E145 39.699 ... Find out more

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Sheepwash Lagoon Rest Area 67 km

11 km E of Yea (R) or 20 km W of Alexandra (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S37 09.841 E145 31.421  ... Find out more

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King Parrot Creek Rest Area 77 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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Trawool Rest Area 85 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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Traralgon Park Area 86 km

32 km E of Trafalgar (L) or 7 km W of Traralgon (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S38 12.670 E146 29.230 ... Find out more

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Grass Tree Rest Area 99 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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Coach Road Rest Area 100 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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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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Blind Joe Creek Park Area 104 km

21 km E of Traralgon (R) or 2 km W of Rosedale (L) Large grassy area just off the highway. GPS: S38 09.306 E146 45.890... Find out more

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Willows Rest Area 106 km

1 km NE of Rosedale (L) or 25 km SW of Sale (R) Large grassed area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S38 08.504 E146 47.481... Find out more

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Balmattum Rest Area 116 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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Calder Woodburn Rest Area 135 km

31 km N of Nagambie (L) northbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S36 34.425 E145 20.558 ... Find out more

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Torquay Park Area 136 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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Providence Ponds Rest Area 141 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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Meredith Park Area 143 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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Casey Weir Rest Area 144 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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Mokoan Rest Area 144 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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Vaughan Springs Camp Area 146 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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Mount Franklin Rest Area 147 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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Nalinga Rest Area 147 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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Leigh River Rest Area 148 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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