Victoria (Eastern Region)

Wangaratta
The small city of WANGARATTA, at the junction of the Ovens and King rivers, 16km from Glenrowan, is a convenient overnight stop between Sydney and Melbourne, but there are few other reasons to linger. The highway on either side of “Wang” is lined with motels, and the staff at Wangaratta Tourist Information, on the corner of Handley Street and Tone Road (daily 9am–5pm) can give out stacks of leaflets about the area.

Wangaratta is a visitor's haven from which to enjoy the delights of the region. Explore over 26 local wineries, the extensive Ovens, Murray River and Lake systems, the Warby Ranges. Discover the haunts of the infamous Kelly gang and the fascinating history of the gold rush days. Wangaratta. heart of the North East is home to Airworld Aviation Museum, The House in Miniature, the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and the Country Music Festival.

The Wangaratta Arts Centre, on Ovens Street (tel 03/5722 0865), is a fine old red-brick building containing a gallery (Wed–Sun 10am–5pm; free) which has a changing programme of exhibitions and hosts occasional music recitals on Sunday afternoon. The four-day Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, beginning on the Friday prior to the Melbourne Cup (usually the last weekend in October), is one of the premier jazz events in the country; book somewhere to stay well in advance if you’re planning to attend.

At Airworld you can learn to fly! Sit at the controls of our "Airtruck" or listen in to air traffic control at the control station. Experience the thrill of real combat in our genuine WW2 Link Trainer or enter the Stinson Tri-Motor to learn "The Riddle of the Stinson" Wander through one of the largest collections of historic aircraft in the world or sit and sip a coffee, its all here, at Airworld. New attractions include: Operational Link Trainer. Experimental displays demonstrating the theory of night. Air traffic control listening station. Audio and video information points. All new educational signage. Book for your school or interest group! Special curriculum approved school kits now available. Greta Road

There is a vast range of accommodation. Good choices include the Wangaratta Central Motel, 11 Ely St, next to Merriwa Park; the Billabong Motel, 12 Chisholm St, with good-value singles; and the modern Hermitage Motor Inn, corner of Mackay and Cusack streets, which has a pool. In terms of food, there’s Scribbler’s Coffee Lounge, 66 Reid St, otherwise the choice seems to be mainly between pizza and pizza: Café Martini at the Bull’s Head Hotel, 87 Murphy St bakes them in a wood-fired oven, D’Amico’s at the corner of Vincent and Greta roads does them very cheaply, but probably the best are served at Hollywoods Gourmet Pizza Restaurant on the corner of Ford and Murphy streets (open until 2am on weekends).

V/Line operates a daily bus service from Wangaratta to Bright via Beechworth, and a bus service three times a week to Rutherglen.

Events

  • FESTIVAL OF JAZZ (November) This Jazz festival boasts 3 days of entertainment.
  • WANGARATTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL This festival is a prelude to the rodeo held in January.