Steamy Days In The Twin City

Sun Herald

Sunday October 17, 2004

Paul Edwards

A weekend in Albury-Wodonga will keep you busy, on the water and off, writes Paul Edwards.

WHY GO NOW?

Any time is a good time to visit this big (100,000 population) twin city on the Murray but, all things being equal, some people might like to avoid the extreme heat that can hit in midsummer.

So we recommend you start shopping around for budget accommodation now perhaps looking to coincide with the Mungabareena Ngan Girra Festival weekend on November 27. It's a living cultural show exploring traditional and modern indigenous cultures, stemming back to the days when tribes met here before heading for the hills to feast on bogong moths.

WHAT'S THERE?

You can use the twinned city as a base to explore the old towns nearby historic places such as Chiltern, Rutherglen, Yackandandah and Beechworth or stay close to the centre of things and just enjoy what Albury and Wodonga have to offer.

That includes the recently restored Albury railway station, opened in 1882 and still one of our most imposing and significant country stations.

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS

The Tourism Victoria website (www1.visitvictoria.com) lists the following attractions: Cruising the Murray River by canoe or on the paddle-steamer Cumberoona and the M.V. Firefly. Explore museums and discover the region's pioneering past, multicultural history and indigenous cultures. Visit the art gallery, home to a collection of Drysdales. Fish for trout, redfin and Murray cod and catch yabbies at one of the many Fish and Fun parks or yabbie farms, or fly-fish in the Kiewa and Mitta Mitta rivers. Improve your handicap on championship golf courses with glorious alpine views. Try one of the largest tennis complexes in the southern hemisphere the Wodonga Tennis Centre. Head off for an outdoor adventure choose from white-water rafting, rock climbing, bushwalking or mountain biking.

The Flying Fruit Fly Circus school is at Wodonga, the training centre is in Albury, but watch out: the Fruities are everywhere. The circus first put young tightrope walker Emma George in the spotlight. She then went on to help make women's pole vaulting a major international sport.

In Hovell Tree Park, see the historic tree marked by the explorer Captain William Hovel who, along with his companion Hamilton Hume, was the first European to see the Murray. Lake Hume, one of Australia's most important reservoirs, has a capacity six times the size of Sydney Harbour and is set in mountainous country.

The dam features a concrete spillway, a 1.6-kilometre-long earthen embankment and a 365-kilometre shoreline, when the dam is full.

I'M HUNGRY

The region has a growing reputation for hospitality and produce. Long the centre of a highly regarded wine industry, it also has many outlets for gourmet foods. Its strategic location on the main Melbourne-Sydney and Melbourne-Canberra routes ensures that travellers have plenty of choice. A few suggestions: Coffee Mamma (6041 2600). Smell the freshly roasted and brewed coffee at the top end of town. Green Zebra Deli (6023 1100) Paul and his team invite you to taste their great pasta offerings made on site. Hume Murray Farmers' Markets (6058 2996) every second Saturday morning, Gateway Island between Albury and Wodonga. Buy food and wine direct from the growers. Zilch-food store (6056 2400) cute cafe and produce store specialising in brunch, lunch and food for your fridge. Cafe Borella's (6041 4011). Next to an award-winning and fascinating nursery. Great coffee and friendly staff.

All Saints Estate Terrace Restaurant, Wahgunyah (6035 2222), part of the All Saints Estate Winery, it has fresh, seasonal produce year round.

TIME FOR BED

This district has more beds than Capt'n Snooze. A few suggestions: Gaddleen Grove, McGaffins Road, Wodonga, gaddleen@albury .net.au. Four-star, rustic, red gum slab cottages including a queen-size bed as well as a roomy lounge. Elizabeth's Manor, Lavington, bookings@ elizabethsmanor .com.au. Tudor/Elizabethan style, maximum of eight guests. Baranduda Homestead, Baranduda, bb@ baranduda homestead.com.au. Historic homestead where the beautiful Yackandandah Creek and Kiewa River valleys meet. Country Comfort, Dean Street, Albury (6021 5366). Right in the heart of the action. Boathaven Holiday Park boathaven@ iprimus.com.au units on the shores of Lake Hume. Lake Hume Resort, Riverina Highway (6026 4444) stacks for the kids to do.

© 2004 Sun Herald

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