The picturesque town of Euroa sits at the base of the Strathbogie Ranges, only 90 minutes from Melbourne via the Hume Freeway, and is home to both Seven Creeks and Castle Creek which adds to the beauty and serenity of the area.
Euroa has a fascinating history and a variety of attractions and activities to visit whilst you are here. Adding character to this town are many of the buildings that were built at the height of Queen Victoria’s era. Several of these buildings are located close to the main shopping precinct of Binney Street, with others located in Kirkland Avenue, Clifton and Railways Streets.
Historical buildings, Veteran memorials, great eateries, walks and trails as well as a page in the Kelly Gang story make Euroa worth the visit!
www.visiteuroa.org.au
High up in the hills of the Strathbogie Ranges in rural Victoria you will find the Sevens Creek Wagyu farm. With 900 acres of bushland and the spectacular Seven Creeks running through the property, this farm – and it’s natural springs and acres of untreated grass – is a very special place to grow cattle. We pride ourselves in caring for and protecting the land (and its many native animal inhabitants – you’ll often see a herd of kangaroos keeping the cattle company or a wombat plodding across the landscape.
sevenscreekwagyu.com.au
The Rockery Gemstone Museum, Longwood
This gem of a museum houses Maurie’s impressive collection of jewelery, crystals and polished gemstones sourced from around the world. With free entry, you will feel like Aladdin in his magic cave as you step into this incredible collection.
www.therockery.com.au
Violet Town is a thriving community with a friendly atmosphere and creative heart, as evidenced by the colourful welcoming entrance signage designed by the well-known cartoonist, writer, painter and philosopher, Michael Leunig, a local of Violet Town.
The famous Violet Town Community Market has been held on the second Saturday of each month since 1978 and is one of Victoria’s premier markets. With up to 250 stalls each month ranging from fresh produce, arts, crafts, jewellery, local beer and wine, furniture, great coffee and much more, you are sure to find what you are looking for - making a visit to this idyllic town a must!
www.violettown.org.au
There is a market on every weekend in the Strathbogie Shire
(subject to COVID restrictions)
First Saturday of every month
Nagambie Lakes Community Market
9am – 1pm, High Street, Nagambie
nagambiemarket.com.au
Second Saturday of every month
Violet Town Community Market
8.30am – 1pm, Violet Town Recreation Reserve, Tulip Street
violettown.org.au/market
Second Sunday of every month
Avenel ‘Make It, Bake It, Grow It’ Market
10am – 2pm Jubilee Park, Avenel
avenelmarket.com.au
Third Saturday of every month
Euroa Village Farmers Market
9am – 1pm, Rotary Park, Euroa
euroavillagefarmersmarket.org
Fourth Sunday of the month
Nagambie Farmers Market
10am – 2pm Tahbilk Winery, 254 O’Neils Road, Tabilk
gonagambie.com.au
From 1842 squatters took up huge land holdings in the rugged Strathbogie Ranges and the tablelands to run thousands of sheep and cattle. Families arrived in the 1870’s, and dairy and sheep were the driving industries in Strathbogie’s early days and in the gold rush of the 1860’s there were hundreds working the mines in the area. A second mining boom occurred in the 1940’s with crystal mining to satisfy the quartz crystal component of early radios – crystal sets.
Vineyards have now replaced cattle, sheep and mining as the prime business pursuit of the Strathbogie region as savvy growers and winemakers take advantage of the cool climate and rich granite soils of the area.
Surrounded by forests, farmland and striking granite hills the environment is beautiful with its native bushland, birds and animals. The ‘Bogies’ as the ranges are often referred to is also a great destination for bushwalkers and cyclists and home to countless walks and scenic rides.
strathbogie.org
Euroa Arboretum
Walk around the Arboretum and enjoy an extensive wildflower and native grass restoration area. The 27 hectare native environment is home to threatened woodland animals, and the recreated wetlands are stocked with Rainbow Trout.
Local metal artwork and shelters make for a great picnic spot. Bring your fishing rod, your dog and your binoculars. Discoveries await.
www.euroaarboretum.com.au
Once an important coach stop for Cobb & Co on the route from Melbourne to Albury and for drovers and travellers to the goldfields in the north, Avenel also boasts one of provincial Victoria’s most impressive bridges. The six-arch, stone crossing of Hughes Creek was built by Hugh Dalrymple in 1850 and originally had a tollgate and toll keepers Cottage nearby.
As well as being well known for the high quality wool the area produces, Avenel plays an important role in the legend of the infamous Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly, who spent his childhood living in the town and also attended the local primary school.
Nestled along the Hume Highway and with regular trains up to Albury or down to Melbourne, Avenel is now a bustling township with an ever growing population and hot spot for people looking for a simpler life and idyllic for a relocation or weekender with its cosy sights, small town comforts and connectivity to the region.
Invest in a visit to Bank Street Pizza, housed in a former bank this popular spot is renowned for their wood fired pizza. Just next door you can enjoy one of the many award winning wines from the region at the historical Harvest Home. Mingle with the locals at either the Avenel Hotel or Daily Dose Cafe, then wander out to enjoy the award winning Fowles Wine Restaurant & Cellar Door and sample a glass of the iconic Ladies who Shoot their Lunch wines.
The Goulburn River is Victoria’s longest river and the lifeblood of this region. Enjoy rowing/canoeing, fishing, water-skiing and cruising on this great river. Or stop on its banks for the perfect picnic or camping spot.
www.gonagambie.com.au/visit
Kirwans Bridge, Nagambie
When noted Shepparton bridge builders James Dainton and James Hesford constructed Kirwans Bridge across the Goulburn River near Nagambie in 1890, it is a fair bet they would not have thought it would still be serving the community 130+ years later.
At 310m, the longest timber bridge in Victoria is significant for its strutted-corbel design in the section across the main river channel. Visitors can now read (thanks to a new information board), the fascinating story of its long and colourful life.
www.gonagambie.com.au/visit
Ruffy is located in the Strathbogie Ranges and offers a range of activities to suit all tastes. The most amazing feature of Ruffy is the beautiful countryside. Visitors marvel at the granite boulders dotted over the landscape and at the magnificent vistas glimpsed while driving along the quiet roads and tracks.
A hub for cyclists, motorcycles and car enthusiasts alike, the meandering roads and scenic views make the trip to Ruffy worth the detour from the highway. The picturesque Ruffy Recreation Reserve is worth a visit to watch the popular gymkhanas, social cricket matches or just to have a picnic under the spreading oak trees that surround the grassy oval.
www.ruffycommunity.com.au
Longwood’s history dates back to the mid to late 1800’s and it was originally located on the old Sydney to Melbourne Highway (now known as the Hume Highway), serving as a staging post for the horse-drawn coaches.
The town then moved east by about 4km when the railway was built and a station was established at Longwood back in 1881, and the local school that is still in operation, was established in 1888.
Longwood is also the host of the Victorian Carriage Driving Championships held in November. Carriage driving in Australia ranges from the elegance of drivers, their gleaming horses and ponies and traditional vehicles in the show ring to all the action of combined driving and a lot more in between.
Sport, as with many country towns is the glue that binds the community - so grab a spot on the boundary with the locals on a winters Saturday afternoon and enjoy the action – tooting your horn for a goal scored is de rigueur!
Hughes Creek Bridge, Avenel
Hughes Creek was named after the first settler in Avenel, for many years it was a popular overnight stop for drovers. The bridge was built in 1859 by contractor Hugh Dalrymple for the Board of Lands and Works in Victoria.
The Historic Hughes Creek Bridge is perhaps better known for its association to Ned Kelly. At the age of 11, Ned rescued Richard Shelton who had fallen into the creek after trying to cross over on a tree bridge. The incident occurred only 150 meters downstream from the Bridge.
A green silk cummerbund was awarded to Ned for his bravery by Richard’s parents. Ned was wearing the cummerbund when he was captured at the Siege of Glenrowan.
www.visitvictoria.com
The Gooram Falls is a beautiful place to visit for a swim and picnic during summer or to rug up in winter and enjoy the views of the rock pools and the water cascading over the rocks.
The Gooram Falls are west of the Strathbogie Tableland on the Euroa-Mansfield Road. Two-wheel drive access to the carpark is fine all year round.
www.visitvictoria.com
Strathbogie Shire has an abundance of picturesque tracks and trails, suitable for a range of skill levels, both on foot and on bicycle.
Whether you are exploring the history of Graytown’s Prisoner of War Camp walk or taking in the 360-degree view from the top of Mount Wombat, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Shire’s incredible tracks and trails include the Avenel Heritage and Nature Trail, Mangalore Floral Walk, Balmattum Hill Walking Track, Bridge to Bridge Walk, Cleo's Track, Golden Mountain Walking Track, Gooram Falls Trail, Mt Wombat Flora & Fauna Reserve, Seven Creeks Walking Track, POW Camp, Gold Diggings and Cemetery Walk, Melville's Lookout Track, Tahbilk Eco Trails, Ruffy Snow Gum Reserve Walking Track, Ruffy-Eddy Lane, Town and Country Walk, Honeysuckle Creek Walking Track and the Balaclava Mine and Whroo Cemetery Trails.
Council has been doing lots of work mapping its tracks and tracks. You can access Council’s online mapping tool, Pozi, to check out our walks and see pictures of some of the walk’s highlights via www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/tourism/tourism/tracksandtrails
Lake Nagambie
Created in 1891 by damming the Goulburn River, Lake Nagambie is a popular spot for fishing, water sports and swimming for locals and visitors alike.
Take a walk up to Jacobsons Outlook for expansive views out across the water, enjoy a picnic, or stroll across the walking track that goes right across the historic Goulburn Weir.
Explore the vibrant town of Nagambie, which sits on the shores of the lake, or cruise around the renowned local wineries.
www.gonagambie.com.au/visit
The Sevens Creek Park, Euroa
On the banks of the Goulburn River and the shores of Lake Nagambie sits the township of Nagambie. With official settlement occurring in the 1800’s, the town has become a haven for young families and the ‘young at heart’ to both holiday and reside, due to its close proximity to Melbourne (only 90 minutes away), natural beauty, laid back lifestyle and array of experiences on offer.
Turning water into wine, two of Victoria’s premium wineries are nearby. Tahbilk Estate, established in 1860 - Victoria’s oldest family owned winery is home to some of the oldest Shiraz and Marsanne vines in the world, as well as having buildings and surrounds much unchanged from its early days.
Further down the Goulburn River and accessible by both road and boat is Mitchelton Wines, with its distinctive & impressive tower and lookout designed by renowned Australian architect Ted Ashton, it is also home to a 4 star luxury hotel and day spa, and Aboriginal Art Gallery.
There is something for everyone in Nagambie, from historic areas, fishing, tracks and trails, cycling, water sports, skydiving opportunities, monthly community markets, eateries, shopping and so much more. If you’re looking for a day trip, weekend escape, event location or tree change – come and visit Nagambie!
www.gonagambie.com.au
Balmattum Hill, Euroa
The Balmattum Hill Bushland Reserve is home to many kinds of native animals and vegetation. The view from the top of the Balmattum Hill walking track is spectacular and well worth the 1 km steep incline. The vantage point offers views over the Euroa township and across the vast Victorian northern plains as far as the eye can see.
www.strathbogieranges.org.au