Town Info

IF YOU EVER NEED TO TAKE SOME TIME OFF FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF CITY LIFE, THEN EILDON, VICTORIA MIGHT JUST BE THE PERFECT DESTINATION FOR YOU.

The quaint town of Eildon has a rich history, and serves as the gateway to Lake Eildon National Park and its many spectacular sights. It’s also close to many other popular attractions such as the Eildon Trout Farm, Snob Creek Waterfall, and Morris Lookout. Eildon is equipped with all the conveniences of modern day living to make sure that you stay comfortable despite being deep in Victoria’s countryside.

A shopping centre, supermarket, hardware stores, restaurants, cafes, and much more are just within reach to provide you with anything you’ll ever need to make the experience memorable. With so many exciting things to do, a vacation at Eildon is sure to be a memorable one whether you’ll be spending it with friends or family.

HISTORY
Eildon’s roots can be traced back to the mid-1800’s when a man named Archibald Thorn purchased a pastoral station during the Australian gold rush. He named the area ‘Eildon’’ after his wife’s birthplace: Eildon Hills, Scotland. The settlement grew quickly and by 1863, a school had already been established in the area. Construction of the Sugarloaf Dam started near the settlement in 1914. This contributed to rapid development in the area and led to the construction of a church, post office, recreation ground, and a few other buildings. As a result of these developments, the town of Eildon was finally formally established by 1956.

ATTRACTIONS NEARBY
Lake Eildon National Park – Home of the beautiful Lake Eildon.
Spend a relaxing day surrounded by picturesque hills and lush vegetation.  Or if you’re into more lively activities, try camping, bushwalking, kayaking, or even renting a houseboat!

Fogg’s Lookout
Offers spectacular views of Lake Eildon and its surroundings.  A great place to relax and take in the scenery.

Snobs Creek Waterfall
These falls are definitely a must see, considering the fact that it’s just a short distance from Eildon. Make sure you make some time to see this pretty sight, especially if you’re traveling with kids!

Morris Lookout
Great place to visit during autumn, as you will be rewarded with amazing views of Eildon amidst beautiful autumn colours.

BONNIE DOON IS A SMALL TOURIST TOWN THAT IS PERFECT FOR WATERSPORTS, TRAIL RIDING, AND FISHING

Known as the ‘Gateway to the High Country’, it has a lot to offer for Bushwalkers, 4WD owners, and motorcycle enthusiasts. If you fancy a stroll around town, Bonnie Doon also features a number of interesting places to visit, such as the famous holiday home from ‘The Castle’.

The community is spread out and feels like a cluster of small villages rather than a traditional town. There are 12 noteworthy attractions spread across town. Make sure to visit them all when you drop by Bonnie Doon!

HISTORY
In 1868, a township named Doon was established in the area. The small village only had a few huts at first. A post office was put up in 1871, but the township still had a small population of 26 people. It wasn’t until 1878 that the village started growing, with the construction of schools and public buildings.

The township was eventually renamed to Bonnie Doon in 1891. A railway was built that same year. The development of rail transit linked the small town to bigger cities and paved the way for the growth of infrastructure.

Unfortunately, the construction of Lake Eildon caused flooding around the town in the 1950’s. This led to the relocation of Bonnie Doon to higher ground, where it currently sits to this very day.

ATTRACTIONS NEARBY

The Castle Holiday Home
Best known as the house featured in the Australian feature length comedy, ‘The Castle’.  Located just across the road from Lake Eildon.

Memorial Rock
Memorial dedicated to Australians who served in World War I. Constructed in 1921, it serves as a solemn reminder of the supreme sacrifice made by Australian servicemen.

Bonnie Doon Country Markets
Great place to go shopping for local handcrafted wares and produce. The Country Markets are only organised a few times a year, so make sure you drop by if you’re lucky enough to catch one!

MOST TOURISTS KNOW ALEXANDRA AS A ‘STOPOVER’ TOWN ON THE WAY TO THE FAMOUS MT. BULLER SKI RESORT. HOWEVER, THERE IS MORE TO THIS TOWN THAN MEETS THE EYE, AND THOSE WHO DECIDE TO STAY A LITTLE BIT LONGER WILL BE REWARDED BY ITS FASCINATING CULTURAL AND NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

Alexandra is known as a quaint historic village with a lot of pleasant walks, preserved gold rush era buildings and charming cafes. The surrounding area is known for its waterfalls and lookouts into the picturesque Goulburn Valley.

With such a strategic location, it is a perfect gateway to exploring Victoria’s spectacular mountain ranges and waterways. Come to Alexandra, and discover a peaceful rural retreat like no other

HISTORY
The first European settlers arrived in Alexandra back in 1824. A number of squatting runs occupied the area until 1866, when gold-bearing locations were finally discovered. The place was formerly called Red Gate and was eventually renamed to Alexandra in 1867, in honor of the Princess of Wales at the time.

Alexandra saw rapid development in the 1870’s due to the gold rush. However, it was heavily affected by the infamous Black Friday bushfires of 1939. Despite these challenges, the people of Alexandra persevered. The former shire was formally declared as a town in 1994 and celebrated its 150th year in 2017.

ATTRACTIONS NEARBY

Cathedral Range – Ideal for thrill-seekers.
Those who successfully hike up the mountain ranges will be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum
Take a trip back in time and explore one of the industries that built modern-day Alexandra. Kids will surely enjoy riding the steam locomotives!

Alexandra & District Open Gardens
This annual event is held every October and is a perfect opportunity to see beautiful gardens owned by the locals.

Historic Buildings
The town of Alexandra is host to a number of well-preserved historic buildings dating back to the 1850’s. Great for those yearning for a taste of life back in the ‘good old days’.

McKenzie’s Flora Reserve
Small bushland reserve that serves as a habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. Spend an afternoon walking here, and enjoy watching colorful birds and butterflies playing among the flowers.

Dove Cottage
Preserved miner’s cottage from the 1890’s. A good place to visit if you’d like a snapshot of what life was like back in the day.

MANSFIELD IS A NATURE LOVER’S PARADISE LESS THAN THREE HOURS AWAY FROM MELBOURNE. A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO CATER TO ALL KINDS OF ADVENTURE-SEEKERS.

There is plenty to do in town and the surrounding areas, such as mountain biking, bushwalking, fishing, swimming, white water rafting, and even rock climbing!

Those who wish to explore at a more relaxed pace can also choose to experience Mansfield’s strong food and wine scene. Or you could simply sit down in a cafe, sip on some great local coffee, and just watch the world go by.

Whether you are an active adventurer or a laid-back explorer, Mansfield definitely has something for you!

HISTORY
Mansfield was first occupied by settlers in the 1840’s and was originally called Mount Battery. In 1856, the township’s name was changed to Mansfield. Gold was discovered in the area on that same year. It was eventually proclaimed as a shire in 1866, and had two schools, hotels, a courthouse, and a hospital.

A branch railway was opened in 1891 which connected Mansfield to Melbourne. Nearby Mt. Buller started being developed as a resort in the 1920’s, and by 1964, Mansfield was promoted as the ‘Gateway to Leisureland’ due to its proximity to the budding tourist attraction.

ATTRACTIONS NEARBY

Mansfield Armchair Cinema
Catch the latest blockbuster movies in a unique cinema that features reclining leather armchairs and huge bean bags. You can even order snack items or a glass of wine to enjoy with your movie!

Mansfield Golf Club
Tee off in a golf course with stunning views of the Victorian Alps. There is also a restaurant that provides al fresco dining for those who wish to take it a little bit slower.

Mansfield Historical Society
Explore Mansfield’s history through an archive of photos, microfiche documents, and other memorabilia. History buffs will have a blast in this place.

Craig’s Hut
Located a bit further out, but definitely worth a visit. It is on top of Mt. Stirling and offers amazing vistas of the region. It is regularly rated as a ‘must see’ by visitors, so make sure you drop by!

Mansfield Zoo
Houses over 100 species of animals, such as monkeys, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, alligators, and two very special White Lions. You can camp overnight in the zoo if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.

Great Victorian Rail Trail
Australia’s longest rail trail starts at Mansfield and goes all the way to Tallarook. Biking the 134 km trail along Victoria’s countryside is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.

JAMIESON MAY BE SMALLER THAN NEARBY TOWNS SUCH AS EILDON AND MANSFIELD, BUT DON’T LET ITS SIZE FOOL YOU

This beautiful little town is perfect for a quiet and laid-back getaway in rural Victoria. Especially beautiful in autumn with all it’s European trees.

The town is located on the Goulburn and Jamieson River, minutes from Lake Eildon. There are many great picnic and BBQ spots in and around Jamieson, to have a lunch with friends and family by the river.

Bushwalking, birdwatching, swimming and fishing are popular in the area. But adrenaline junkies will also find a lot of activities here, such as 4WDriving, dirt bike riding, mountain biking, and kayaking! The township has a General Store, Café, Pub and petrol station for your convenience.

HISTORY
Jamieson’s roots can be traced to the 1860’s when the first settlement of around 300 people started working in the goldfields. The town grew quickly, and already had churches, banks, hotels, and a school by 1865.

Development peaked in the 1870’s, when the town had around 3,000 residents living in it. However, a slowdown in the mining industry led to most of its residents moving on to other towns.

Jamieson has a relatively small population of 250 today, but it still remains to be a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to Lake Eildon.

ATTRACTIONS NEARBY

Bimbi Car & Memorabilia Museum
A quaint little museum that features memorabilia from the past and vintage cars. ‘Bimbi’ stands for ‘place of many birds’ in the aboriginal language, and the area certainly has a lot of them. There is an admission fee, but it will be given to a charity of your choice.

Jamieson Museum
Located in the former Jamieson courthouse, this museum will take you back to the time of the Australian gold rush. A variety of artifacts and photographs will tell you the story of Jamieson’s rise as an iconic gold rush town

Upper Goulburn Historic Area
Beautiful and picturesque, yet remains to be Jamieson’s best-kept secret today. Experience nature at its finest away from the crowds. There is something to do for all seasons; from swimming in warm rivers during the summer, to skiing in the winter!