We have just returned from our annual trip to Wangaratta during which we have finalized our contribution to the Vintage Caravan Nationals.
Bike Riding:
There will be a number of push bikes and helmets centrally located in the caravan park and available without cost to anyone attending the Nationals who would like to explore the local area.
Painter’s Island Caravan Park is located at the start of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.
www.railtrails.org.au/trail?view=trail&id=50In addition there is a network of short rides in and around the city of Wangaratta.
We have also located a track which runs between Painter’s Island and the Wangaratta Caravan Park where our friends with dogs will be staying. A short walk <10mins, even less on a bike along the top of the levee bank joins the two parks. We encourage everyone from both parks to make use of this track either by foot or bike.
Wangaratta and surrounds also have a great network of Geocasches, many of which are easily accessible by bike.
geocaching.com.au/A short ride north from the caravan park along the Rail Trail you will come across The Vine Hotel. This is a great stop for a cool drink, coffee, lunch or dinner.
For anyone attending the Nationals who wish to dine at The Vines, they have generously offered a complimentary sweet with any main meal; please collect a voucher prior from a stand near the bikes.
www.thevinehotel.net.au/A complimentary drink bottle and map is available for those using the push bikes.
Camp Fire:
Fire restrictions are currently in place and likely to be still in force during our event. As a result we are unable to have individual fires in the park. We have spoken with Paul and Penny who have suggested a communal fire in a designated area of the park away from our vans and close to the camp kitchen where Paul is able to provide the safety/permit requirements.
A large fire drum is under construction and we have received a donation of fire wood from the Myrtleford and District Landcare Group. The Ovens Landcare coordinator has kindly offered us her ute to transport the wood. We invite our talented members (musicians, recite poetry, tell us a yarn) and our mates from the other park to join us fire side each evening.
For those wishing to show their appreciation of the generosity provided by the Myrtleford Landcare Group, Boomerang Bags handmade by the group will be available for purchase, $5 from site 160A. All money raised will go towards the wonderful work this volunteer organization does.
Arts Trail:
We wish to give a bump to Warrens suggestion to visit Benalla.
vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/17026/street-art-benallaBenalla has an extensive network of street art throughout the city centre. It is best explored by foot remembering to go up the laneways, around the back of buildings and occasionally looking over your shoulder to see what is behind you. If you wish to find the car and caravan pictured by Warren you must start the trail at the Mokoan rest stops (both sides) of the highway approximately 10kms north of Benalla.
www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Victoria/High-Country/Winton/Mokoan-No-1-rest-areawww.exploreaustralia.net.au/Victoria/High-Country/Winton/Mokoan-No-2-rest-area A nice addition to this Arts Trail is a 15 minute drive to Goorambat where further street art is found on the towns silos and in the local church.
www.walltowallfestival.com/goorambatchurch/www.walltowallfestival.com/silo-art/An alternative route to returning to the highway is to travel via the Winton Wetlands (currently dry lands) and on to Glenrowan as suggested by Warren.
wintonwetlands.org.au/This eerie attraction highlights the environmental destruction that has been bought about when humans interfere with nature. Fortunately it is now under redevelopment and is one of the world’s most significant environmental, social and economic renewal projects.
Whilst the road around the wetlands is sealed, the road across is good but unsealed. We can highly recommend the Mokoan Café for a quick bite to eat and great coffee.
wintonwetlands.org.au/visit/hub-cafe/We have been able to source maps/brochures from the recent Benalla Wall to Wall Festival and also have maps of the Winton Wetlands which can be picked up from a stand near the bikes.
Factory Shop:
The Wangaratta Woollen Mill sells discontinued, end of run and over stocked kitting yarns and patterns from its factory shop – 18 Textile Ave, Wangaratta VIC 3677
www.facebook.com/pages/Wangaratta-Woollen-Mills/355167271218230Markets:
Unfortunately our timing is poor when it comes to finding any large markets in the area over the period we will be in Wangaratta.
On Saturday 21th April Moyhu has a farmers market in its village square – there are a number of fresh produce stalls, craft items, plants and live music. We noted that Moyhu also has a pop-up op shop that was open when we visited over the Easter period. Moyhu is about a 20 minute drive from Wangaratta.
www.mymarketsvic.com.au/directory/moyhu-farmers-market-29.htmlWangaratta has a weekly Sunday Market – fresh produce, trash and treasure, and plants. This market is small and we were a little disappointed, it is however only a short drive from the caravan park.
www.mymarketsvic.com.au/directory/avian-park-raceway-wangaratta-market-273.htmlWe would like acknowledge and thank our generous sponsors who have embraced our planned visit and have been keen to welcome us all to Wangaratta, where possible we encourage you to support these businesses with your custom as a show of appreciation. We wish to reassure everyone that we have no business connection to any of the sponsors.
North East Water
The Vine Hotel –Wangaratta
Myrtleford and District Landcare Group
