OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE Loddon Valley EXPLORE THE BENDIGO REGION CONTENTS Welcome 2 FEATURES Undiscovered villages, antiques and collectibles 4 Untouched wilderness 6 Mildura Water, rivers and wetlands 8 Welcome stranger ... gold! 10 Locavore – local produce & sustainable living 12 Events 14 LOCALITIES Loddon Valley Highway B260 15 CALDER HWY A79 Swan Hill Calder Highway A79 25 Sea Lake LODDON VALLEY Wimmera Highway B240 40 HWY B260 Explore the region 46 INFORMATION LODDON Echuca Visitor Information Centre 54 VALLEY Travel information 54 Map 56 WIMMERA HWY B240 Bendigo Heathcote Maryborough Maldon Castlemaine Daylesford VICTORIA CALDER HWY A79 Ballarat Melbourne SEE A DETAILED LODDON SHIRE MAP 2 ON THE LAST PAGE 1 Take a deep breath … and travel along the meandering roads. They start at untouched historic villages, weave their way up to spectacular views on granite strewn hilltops, through ancient forests, and then alongside wide flowing rivers and vast wetlands. In these charming towns you will meet warm characters who call these villages home. Lining the streets are clusters of antiques and collectible stores, and small shopfronts with some of the finest breads, meats and produce from the land. Going through, you slow down. The pace of life changes and you begin to discover something that you thought long gone. Here you will be revived, inspired. 2 3 FEATURES Undiscovered villages, antiques & collectibles INGLEWOOD, BRIDGEWATER, TARNAGULLA & EDDINGTON Wander through the region From Inglewood, to and you will discover the Bridgewater, Tarnagulla untouched villages tucked and Eddington you will beside rivers with little find these stores, with cafes to replenish your collections of beautifully supplies, vintage stores illustrated books, with unlikely finds, and kitchenalia, vintage recipes historic pubs to sample books and postcards to exceptional local produce friends long gone. Historic and hospitality. handcrafted furniture, copperware, metalwork The little-known gold and utilitarian creations — rush era villages precious remnants from scattered through the these once prosperous region are jewels in the towns — have been landscape. Their former gathered by those with supply stores are now an eye. In stores offering lost and found treasures, second-hand wares you like exquisite finely will uncover classic vinyl curated museums with LPs, vintage clothing and vintage, antique and curios from other times. collectible finds. 4 5 Untouched wilderness The region protects some of the finest wilderness and significant parklands in Victoria. From ancient forests with trees over 1,000 years old, to the shimmering grassy plains of Terrick Terrick National Park and the wildflower shrouded granite hilltops and caves of Kooyoora State Park and Pyramid Hill. Over 200 species of native flora and 100 bird species nestle in their nooks, with many rare and endangered birds and plants calling these hills and valleys home. It is in Loddon that you can camp under the gnarled and majestic trees, catch a glimpse of the Plains- wanderer, one of our most endangered birds in the State’s largest area of native grassland, and walk or cycle through forest that opens to vast spaces or alongside tree lined rivers. The country’s first TrailRider (all terrain wheelchair) is available free of charge from the Loddon Visitor Information Centre for use in the Loddon Shire and allows visitors with limited mobility to explore this beautiful environment. For further information about the TrailRider contact the Loddon Visitor Information Centre (03) 5494 3489. 6 7 Water, rivers and wetlands Known for its network of significant lakes and wetlands that feed some of the largest rivers in Victoria, here you can swim in a secluded waterhole on the Loddon River, dangle your feet by the banks, witness the aquatic and migratory birds that flock to the area and glimpse a family of turtles basking in the sun. Picnic or swim by the natural infinity pool in Bridgewater, canoe down the wide rivers and small waterways in the region or enjoy the red gum lined lakes of Laanecoorie Weir or Lake Boort. At Newbridge or Laanecoorie you can fish, or enjoy a pub lunch at Newbridge’s historic pub. If you are after something a little racier join the skiiers on the crystalline waters near Bridgewater, Laanecoorie Weir or Little Lake Boort. 8 9 Welcome stranger...gold! The pockets and valleys of Loddon hold some of the world’s richest alluvial fields, with 80% of the world’s largest nuggets discovered in the towns of Wedderburn, Inglewood, Rheola, Kingower and Tarnagulla over the past 160 years. Prospectors were originally seduced in the early 1850s, with the 71kg Welcome Stranger discovered in 1869. Today large finds are still made by professionals and amateurs alike. (We suggest a quiet chat with one of the locals to hear stories of the latest finds, and where you too can get lucky!) For further information about prospecting contact the Loddon Visitor Information Centre (03) 5494 3489 or Coiltek Gold Centre on (03) 5460 4700. 10 11 Locavore — local produce & sustainable living The lands of Loddon In Bridgewater is the traditional dry aged beef allow for true sustainable 100-year-old Laucke mill method. His locally sourced, living – whether it is that produces what is chemical free meat is akin picking up vintage pieces considered the world’s to tasting an apple straight to furnish your home, or finest bread making flour. from the tree. collecting produce from Using wheat from the Travel further north to the the nearby fields (such as local farms, the flour is farms and meet Peter and the world’s finest breads, used by Australia’s finest Marlies of Salute Oliva meats, olives and olive oil, artisan bakers … and in Boort and Marilyn and tomatoes, fruit and even exclusively by the local Ian of Simply Tomatoes salt). It is on these plains Bridgewater Bakery. in Yando, or see a large too that eucalyptus oil In Inglewood, introduce range of Loddon’s local was first produced, and yourself to James at produce at Meat on Brooke can be purchased today to Meat on Brooke. James is in Inglewood or the Loddon complete your larder. one of only two butchers Visitor Information Centre in Australia who uses a in Wedderburn. 12 13 LOCALITIES B260 BARRAPORT Events PYRAMID HILL Loddon Valley plays host to warm and unique DURHAM OX country events. To immerse yourself in these charming, good time events, view the full BOORT Calendar of Events at www.loddon.vic.gov.au MITIAMO LODDON JARKLIN VALLEY CALIVIL HIGHWAY B260 DINGEE SERPENTINE B260 BOORT BARRAPORT DURHAM OX The road follows the old Here you can explore one For something curious but 1850s Cobb & Co track of the most significant equally as awe-inspiring, to some of Victoria’s landscapes in Victoria, the travel to Barraport and treasures. First stop Aboriginal scarred trees, take in the work of the is Durham Ox on the where in these lakes and Spanner Man who creates Serpentine Creek. More of rivers over 400 Aboriginal giant sculptures out of a cross road than a town, scarred trees remain. spanners. In the past ten here is a quiet fishing spot, Seemingly frozen in time, years, wheelchair-bound an exquisite place to canoe the trees retain markings John has created over amongst the red gums and where canoes, shelters and 100 enormous sculptures undisturbed birdlife. carrying vessels were once using over 100,000 of removed. Discover this these tools. Further along This road will lead you to area for yourself or take the road is one of the Boort, the oasis of the a journey with Gulpilill’s region's farming success north or "Kakadu of the Australia to learn of this stories, Simply Tomatoes south". The open expanse exceptional heritage and Aussie Wool Quilts. of lakes in this area and unique ecological At this farm gate, Marilyn surround this pretty town environment on our will invite you to camp, on a hill, with a beautiful doorstep. dine and watch the making caravan park sitting of her range of high quality along one edge of Little wool quilt products. Lake Boort. 14 15 LODDON VALLEY HIGHWAY B260 BOORT LAKES CARAVAN PARK STAY Ideal family fun watersport park t 03 5455 2064 e [email protected] w www.boortlakescaravanpark.com.au Durham Ox Road, Boort 3537 The park is perfectly located on the shores of Little Lake Boort. (P.O. Box 73) We are easy to find and offer the complete venue for your holiday escape. Relax in our magnificent facilities and enjoy the spectacular views of the lake. • Lake frontage holiday park • Gas refills & fridge hire available • Free BBQ • Drive thru sites • Fully equipped laundry • Shower & toilet facilities • Air Conditioned Cabins • Boat ramp within metres • Jumping pillow & basketball ring • Linen hire available for the kids • Powered & unpowered sites • Kiosk at Reception 2 Coutts Street Boort Vic. 3537 INQUIRE Telephone: 03 5451 5220 Fax: 03 5455 2388 After Hours: 03 5451 5200 (Boort District Health) In case of emergency Dial 000 Boort Medical Practice is a busy and medical treatment available from our GP Services Include: expanding medical practice servicing On Call service at Boort District Health. Pathology collection Boort and the surrounding communities. Men's & Women’s Health New patients are welcome. Blood Pressure Checks Boort Medical Practice is led by a team Electrocardiography ( ECG), 24hr Holter Monitor of dedicated GPs; Dr Fady Malak, and Comprehensive Health Assessments and Care Plans Dr Michelle Medenilla, who are supported Asthma Management by highly trained nursing staff and Diabetes Management allied health professionals which Employment Medicals include Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Optometrists. Health Checks Immunisation / Vaccinations (incl. Travel) Practice hours are Monday to Friday from PAP Smears 8.30am to 5.30pm, with after hours Removal of skin lesions and wound management 16 17 LODDON VALLEY HIGHWAY B260 BOORT EMPORIUM Make sure you visit the retail hub of Boort! We can help you with newspapers, magazines, Tattslotto, cards and wrap plus an BRWOSE VISIT US TOUR WITH US STAY WITH US extensive range of giftware and furniture items, fresh flowers, dry cleaning and more.