YOUR OFFICIAL INVITATION TO EXPLORE EXCITEMENT IN THE LODDON
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Explore local fishing venues for experienced anglers or casual recreational fisher folk
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Discover Waanyarra, an elusive history and hidden graves
Summertime, and the living is easy. The opening lyrics of the classic Gershwin tune might be the Loddon Valley’s theme song for the warmest months of the year. Long, hot days that slip seamlessly into warm nights that hum with the sound of cicadas, a seasonal beacon if ever there was one.
The focus in summer, quite naturally, turns to the water, and in particular to the mighty Loddon River. On its journey of almost 400 kilometres from near Trentham to the Murray, the Loddon flows gently through Newbridge, Bridgewater-on-Loddon and Serpentine, bringing life as well as beauty and a chance to swim, ski, float or paddle on the water.
And it’s fishing season, so keen anglers can dangle a line and perhaps snare a legendary Murray cod or a golden perch. There’s great angling in the Loddon, Serpentine Creek, Lake Boort and elsewhere in the region, and if you wish, you can set up camp on the banks in many places, either in caravan parks or camping spots set aside by the shire and state government.
Exploring our national and state parks in summer is an invitation to some of the best and most intriguing
landscapes in Australia. Climb (or drive) to the spectacular vantage points of Kooyoora State Park or Terrick Terrick National Park and brilliant panoramas of the Loddon Valley unfold. It helps you understand why folk as varied as First Nations people and 19th-century bushrangers have coveted these views.
Echoes of the gold rush are everywhere. While the streets of our small towns may not be paved with gold, the buildings that still line the main streets of places such as Tarnagulla, Inglewood and Wedderburn are testimony to the wealth that mining and prospecting of the precious metal brought.
Seek your own special discoveries in the welcoming Loddon Valley, and create your own golden memories among the rich and varied treasures to be found here.
The Loddon River is revered by experienced fisher folk. There is nothing more satisfying than casting a lure onto the water or dangling some bait and waiting expectantly for a catch. And from December 1 each year, there is the chance to snare an iconic Murray cod.
Steve Giorlando knows the feeling well. The wall of his business, Wedderburn Produce and Garden, is lined with pictures of him, beaming widely, with a Murray cod resting in his arms. He mostly fishes at Bridgewateron-Loddon and says that in summer he and a mate would fish most evenings. If there’s someone still on the water in a tinny at 2am, that’s likely to be Steve. His biggest catch was a whopping 1.1-metre-long Murray cod, taken at night, and released straight back into the river. Steve has only eaten cod once. “I don’t actually eat much fish. I tried one as a 17-year-old. I’d prefer a Four’N Twenty pie or a bit of steak, to be honest.”
Steve says fishing at Bridgewater is “brilliant’, and can be busy during the
summer season, with a lot of visitors trying their luck. Other than the Murray cod, the golden perch – or yellow belly – is the fish most commonly caught in the river.
Steve has fished the Loddon for more than 20 years, “just for the love of it, and the thrill of it”.
There’s no better time to drop a line in the waters of the Loddon region than in summer, when the fish are biting. Apart from the river – Bridgewater, Newbridge and Serpentine are the most popular spots – the classic place to fish is at the Boort lakes, with Little Lake Boort a perfect venue for experienced anglers or casual recreational fishermen. There
are about a dozen places on the Loddon with reasonable access for 2WD vehicles, although you can cast a line anywhere along the river.
Just remember you’ll need a fishing licence before starting off, which are available from a threeday duration for $10 up to a threeyear licence that costs $105.20 if purchased online. See service.vic. gov.au for more information or to purchase a licence.
Bridgewater Jetty is easily accessed in a 2WD vehicle in all weather conditions. There is a concrete boat ramp where craft can be eased into the river and a lovely picnic spot nearby – there’s even a barbecue where you might cook your catch if the gods have
smiled on you. There are two other spots close by – Flourmill Reserve and Railway Reserve.
At Newbridge, access is from the Recreation Reserve, and there is plenty of parking, as well as a campsite. For fishing at Serpentine Bridge, just turn right at Bridgewater and follow the road for about 27 kilometres. So, the fishing is brilliant, but that doesn’t mean those not interested in the pursuit aren’t catered for as well. Have a dip in the water at Bridgey’s famed swimming hole or visit the nearby Water Wheel Vineyards and try one of their renowned reds. Lie under a shady tree. Take a walk along the riverbanks. Set up a picnic. Cycle along the flat riverside roads. The choices – and the rewards – are many.
Dare you to look at the tree-lined beauty of the Loddon River in summer and not want to jump right in. At Bridgewater you can do exactly that at the town’s beloved swimming hole, which is a place to spend the whole day, perhaps enjoying a picnic on the grassy lawns or whipping up a feast on the undercover electric barbecue. The swimming hole is cordoned off from boating activities on the river, so it’s perfectly safe for bathers, with a pontoon in its middle and a deck with a ladder to access the water.
The only thing better than spending a day by the river is spending several days, perhaps staying in one of the region’s riverside camping areas.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the Bridgewater swimming hole is the Bridgewater Caravan Park, which
offers front-row seats to all the action on the river. It’s just a really pretty setting amid all the gum trees. The park has powered and non-powered sites, a camp kitchen and barbecues. (Still, the temptation is to sneak in a meal at the Art Deco Bridgewater Hotel or pick up some treats at the renowned Bakehouse).
A less structured campground, but one which shares a majestic riverside location is at Laanecoorie, just downstream of the reservoir that regulates the Loddon’s flow. It’s a very simple spot near the distinctive Janevale road bridge on the Tarnagulla-Laanecoorie Road, with free camping. A basic toilet block is about it for the facilities, but it’s a brilliant spot for river access as well as bush walks.
Upstream, on the grassy banks of the weir is Laanecoorie Lakeside Park, which has a four-bedroom house, cabins and camping sites, both powered and unpowered, for rent. The park features a general store, games room, playground and a minigolf course to go with the requisite fishing and swimming.
Newbridge was inundated in the summer floods of 2011, but the town is
thriving again, with a great pub, general store and a camping site beside the river and next to the recreation reserve. It offers unpowered sites in a lovely tree-lined setting, with new public toilets and showers that operate with tokens bought at the store, which also collects camping fees.
An alternative to the riverside places is Boort Lakes Holiday Park, set on the highly picturesque shores of Little
Lake Boort. Accommodation ranges from waterfront cabins to unpowered sites, and there is a range of equipment and activities to keep younger ones occupied. Boats can be parked right in front of the resort. Take a walk around the lake’s 3.7-kilometre loop track to view the biggest known collection of Indigenous scar trees and middens, as well as small beaches and dense forest.
Loddon’s magnificent state and national parks are a captivating prospect at any time of the year, but summer is the season when spending a little more quality time there makes perfect sense. Take advantage of the free camping spots located within the parks, making the most of the serene beauty by day and the sparkling skies by night.
If you can tear your eyes away from the panoramic views from atop the heaped boulders of Kooyoora State Park, you’ll discover one of the finest camping spots you could ever find. It’s no more than two minutes’ walk from the main viewpoint over the surrounding countryside – and of course it’s free. There are fine views to the north from the campsite itself, which is expansive and well provisioned with clean toilets and wood barbecues. So, spend a night or two in the company of the ghost of bushranger Captain Melville, who used the shelters here as a lookout, and immerse yourself in the Indigenous and natural history of this special place.
Further north, Terrick Terrick National Park is a hidden gem. Just beyond the picnic area from where the short, steep hike to the summit of Mt Terrick Terrick begins, is a simple campground ideal for self-sufficient explorers. The night skies here are a wonder, and morning begins with the comforting sound of the park’s prolific birdlife. The soothing soundtrack is enough to make you want to roll over in your sleeping bag or swag and dream on for a while.
Leaghur State Park, north of Boort, is another landscape altogether, swapping granite boulders and mounds for river floodplain. It’s significant for its black box wetland and woodland, and offers free camping in a peaceful, pristine location with views over Lake Meran. There are no facilities for overnight stays, but resourceful campers will find rare tranquillity.
Some of the Loddon regions smaller public areas also have camping spots. There are three in Kingower State Forest, at Butchers Campground, Orchid Dam and Ironbark Dam. All are for self-sufficient campers, with no water, but supplied with picnics tables and wood fire barbecue facilities.
Experienced paddlers can take to the waters of the Loddon region in a myriad of places, but there are three new trails that are perfect for beginners who want to try their hand at canoeing or kayaking on some of the area’s waterways.
The Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail winds for five kilometres, highlighting indigenous heritage and colonial history, as well as providing the opportunity to see a range of birdlife and flora endemic to the area.
A marker along the trail points to the 1850s Durham Ox Inn, believed to
be a meeting point for the search party attempting to find explorers Burke and Wills in 1862. The first inn was built in 1848 and added to in a higgledy-piggledy fashion until 1857 when it was consumed by a bushfire. It was rebuilt, then all but forgotten when the Cobb & Co. coach track was established through the new Serpentine township and is now a private home.
Further along, markers lead you to scarred trees dating back thousands of years. Bark was stripped by the Dja Dja Wurrung people to make canoes and shelters, while other vegetation was used to create bowls, caskets, fishing nets and woven baskets. The banks are lined with majestic river red gums and black box trees, many of which provide habitats for native animals.
At Laanecoorie, the canoe trail begins at the picturesque Janevale Monier Bridge. The water here can run fairly swiftly because of release flows from the Laanecoorie Dam, just upstream. Meander downstream through stands of river red gum and yellow box trees, noting the hollows that provide homes for birds, possums and lizards. Watch for snags, fallen trees that are habitats for fish, platypus and water rats. Upstream, you can paddle as far as the dam wall, which is a spectacular sight.
The Loddon River Canoe Trail at Serpentine is notable for its ancient, gnarled red gums, some of which may be 1000 years old. Periodic flooding is critical to the survival of these
magnificent trees, which can shed their limbs if they become too dry, a sacrifice the tree makes to ensure its survival. If nothing else, it’s a reason not to linger under their impressive shelter.
Rakali, the native water rat, can sometimes be spotted here if you are very quiet.
The birdlife is prolific, with the distinctive ear-piercing screech of the sulphur crested cockatoo likely to dominate the scene as they sit in the red gum treetops, where they nest in hollows. Also to be seen and heard are galahs, willie wagtails, little pied cormorants, little black cormorants, pacific black ducks and red rumped parrots.
The Loddon Valley is home to some award winning-wineries and a brewery, so why not enjoy a local drop whilst travelling throughout the region? You could also pair your meal at a pub or eatery with a drop of local wine or beer from Black Wallaby Wines, Newbridge Wines, Turners Crossing and Lake Meran Brewery.
Take to the water
Book your own canoe experience on Little Lake Boort at Boort Lakes Holiday Park, or bring your own and glide the Serpentine Creek trail at Durham Ox.
Picnic with a view
Relax on the bank of the Loddon River in Bridgewater and enjoy a picnic from award-winning Bridgewater Bakehouse.
Refreshing ales
Mt Korong
Discover where endless waterways, breathtaking views, and stunning nature await. Uncover rich cultural history, savour local brews and cuisine, and let the inspiring landscapes spark your creativity. Whether seeking adventure or relaxation, the Loddon Valley invites you to explore its hidden gems over Summer.
Enjoy a delicious meal and summery brew in the beer gardens at Bridgewater Hotel or Wedderburn Hotel.
Vintage treasures
Explore the vintage and collectables precinct in Inglewood, where you can discover unique treasures and timeless finds.
Cultural heartbeat
Participate on a Djaara cultural tour at Kooyoora State Park, or be enriched at the Wedderburn Coach House Gallery and the Inglewood Eucalyptus Distillery.
Stargaze
Look up in wonder at some of the clearest night skies in Australia at Mount Hope and Pyramid Hill.
Retro vibes and flavour
Visit Eddy’s Garage cafe in Eddington for its unique retro charm, brimming with nostalgia, tropical vibes, funky burgers, creative drinks, and undeniable wow factor. Iconic views
Take in the breathtaking views of the Loddon region at Mount Hope, Terrick Terrick National Park, Mount Korong or Pyramid Hill.
For a full list of events and experiences: www.visitloddonvalley.com.au
The friendly Loddon Visitor Information Centre sta and volunteers are there to assist and make your visit and general travels in the Loddon region more memorable.
The centre provides quality information and brochures on accommodation, attractions, tours, events and activities throughout the Loddon Valley and surrounding region.
Drop in to see the friendly team 7 days a week.
By KEN ARNOLD
Elusive for some, waiting to be discovered for others are forgotten goldfields – Beverley, Jones’ Creek.
As a result, several hotels, stores and blacksmiths were soon established.
Never heard of them? How about Waanyarra tucked in bushland between Tarnagulla and Dunolly?
Use the 2024 Loddon Valley O cial Visitor Guide to help you plan your next visit to and within the Loddon Valley.
The guide is your perfect travel companion and showcases leading tourism businesses, popular tours & trails and must visit experiences and attractions across the Loddon Valley.
Pick up a copy from the Loddon Visitor Centre in Wedderburn or at leading tourism venues across the Loddon Shire.
Loddon Visitor Information Centre 03 5494 3489
24 Wilson Street, Wedderburn Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm
Sunday and Public holidays, 10am – 2pm
Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday visitloddonvalley.com.au
What was once a mecca for hundreds of miners seeking a golden fortune in the 19th century, Waanyarra today is a place of history waiting to catch modern bushland explorers venturing into the land of little waters.
On November 1, 1853, John Foster, of the Colonial Secretary’s Office approved the plans for the township of Beverley, about five miles above the junction of Jones’ Creek and the Loddon River. Although the area had been rushed in March 1853 it seems that it was never referred to as Beverley, only as Jones’ Creek. The prospectors moved to and from the rushes but when the sixty-sevenounce nugget was found in a blind gully near Jones’ Creek in September 1856, the area became more settled.
Government surveyor, Phillip Chauncey, named the locality Waanyarra (Little Waters) in 1861 however when the common was reserved on August 6, 1861, it was still referred to as Jones’ Creek as was the school site when it was named on August 12, 1861. It was not until April 1871 that the township became known as Waanyarra.
The original main Dunolly to Sandy Creek Road, now Tarnagulla Road, was some distance west of the current Bridgewater-Dunolly Road. It passed over the contour drain that ran roughly east west through the bush. The drain was used to harvest water which ran into the old Dunolly reservoir on the Dunolly-Rheola Road, near Heenan Road. The road then crossed Noose Road around a large hill before heading into Waanyarra.
It must be noted that Waanyarra was a very spread-out goldfield, however most people likely believe it just occupied the clearing, opposite the former White Swan hotel site, on the main road.
Some of the business houses were down along the Waanyarra Cemetery Road which leads into Morton’s Lane which terminates at Waanyarra Road. The area to the left at that intersection was the old recreation reserve, whilst just across from this intersection once stood the old state school. If you turn right the road passes the old post office, before eventually reaching the TarnagullaEddington Road.
Folklore has it that the trustees of the cemetery refused to allow a prostitute to be buried in the cemetery. As a result, the woman was buried between two sheets of bark in a shallow grave on the creek flat however, after Jones’ creek flooded, the body floated to the surface thus it was reburied. This well-kept grave is marked by white quartz rocks, ornaments and plastic flowers. A more recent folklore story is that the lady was known as Yvonne and that she was half Aboriginal with only one leg. Neither of these stories are backed by any historical documentation.
be for dogs. Regardless of exactly who is buried in these scattered graves along Waanyarra Cemetery Road, the one on the creek flat is adorned with stones and flowers, being maintained by one and all, as a remarkable feature of the fascinating Jones’s Creek goldfield.
To visit the three graves, you need to go to Tarnagulla. Rather than following the Wimmera Highway towards the St Arnaud sign instead, travel towards Dunolly for around 7km until you see the sign for the Waanyarra cemetery, where you turn left and travel down through the creek past the historical cemetery.
A short distance further you will see one grave on the creek flat, to your right. The other two much smaller grave sites are on your left just past the bicycle rest, however since I took the photographs the sites are now almost impossible to identify.
The other two smaller graves are also referred to as ladies of the night graves, however they may actually
If you continue along the road you will come to the free stone Morton’s Inn built by convict Michael Morton in the 1850s. It was a public bar frequented by local miners up until 1883, along with a provisions store.
This building was the home for Morton’s family of eight. In more recent years it has been used as a shearing shed.
A little further on you will pass through a historic stone lined crossing however this is barely visible, owing to erosion.
If you stop at the bicycle rest you will find barbecue facilities, toilets, a giant mulberry, several motor homes, campers, old foundations and scattered rubble. There is a cycling track and a bush walking track. Waanyarra is an ideal place for gold detecting and bird watching.
Geoffrey turned to making rods parttime after an horrific car accident in 2013 meant he was unable to work. He did a rod-making course, found some mentors and suppliers and got to business, despite his injuries.
“I was like the Black Knight from Monty Python,” he said. “It’s only a flesh wound.”
Custom Rods was set up in 2015, with clients mainly sourced by word of mouth.
There’s no such thing as buying off the shelf. Geoffrey sets up a face-toface meeting with people looking for a hand-made rod, and over the course of an hour-and-a-half or so gets to know all about them.
What kind of fish were they chasing? Did they fish from a riverbank or a
tinny? Did they use a lure or bait? This gentle interrogation informs the kind of rod that clients will end up with.
People tell him they are happy with a favourite rod. He tells them he wants to make a rod they will choose every time from their rack.
Making a custom rod takes time, and Geoffrey admitted he might only earn $15 an hour given the work that went into fashioning a rod from scratch.
He refurbishes treasured rods, charging from $300-500, while his custom range is priced from $395 to
more than $600. Now he might make five a month, driving a taxi in Bendigo to supplement the income from his labour of love.
Geoffrey’s physical and mental rehabilitation continues.
Last year he entered the iconic Wycheproof King of the Mountain race, which involves hoisting a 60-kilogram wheat bag onto your shoulders and taking on a one-kilometre course up the world’s official shortest mountain – all 42 metres of it.
“I wanted not to kill myself, and I wanted to finish,” he said. “I’m still here, and I finished the race.”
Storm Lane
Inglewood
1 x 50kW Fast Charger
Plug type: 1 x CHAdeMO and 1 x CCS2/SAE
Cnr Burke St & Wimmera Hwy
Newbridge
1 x 50kW Fast Charger
Plug type: 1 x CHAdeMO and 1 x CCS2/SAE
Jacka Park/Chapel St
Wedderburn
1 x 50kW Fast Charger
Plug type: 1 x CHAdeMO and 1 x CCS2/SAE
Please note there are strict rules regarding what you can and can’t dump at these points.
Permitted:
• Grey water
• Black water
• Chemical water treatment - used to prevent odours and aid breakdown of the waste
Not permitted:
• Disposable nappies
• Sanitary items
• Disposable wipes!
Recreational reserve
Malone St
Boort Lakes Caravan Park end of the Boat Ramp Access Rd
Godfrey St
Pyramid Hill Caravan Park
Victoria St
WEDDERBURN
Wedderburn Caravan Park
Hospital St
Create your own adventure and find yourself in the Loddon Valley this Summer For a full list of Spring experiences www.visitloddonvalley.com.au
