Winding its way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, the Diamond Creek Trail is popular with bike riders, joggers and walkers of all ages, who come to explore the wonderful mix of playgrounds, wetlands, historic sites and cafes that make the trail so endlessly fascinating.
The trail is approximately 20 km in length with the northern end of the trail starting just near the Hurstbridge railway station. The trail mostly follows the flow of the Diamond Creek, diverting at times past the railway, bushland reserves and football ovals to end at Eltham Lower Park, just a 30min drive or train ride from the Melbourne CBD.
There’s so much to see and do along the Diamond Creek Trail, so use our guide to plan your own trip along this wonderful treasure in the north east of Melbourne.
Recently the team at One Hour Out were invited to explore Manningham in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. What we found was an incredibly diverse mix of residential suburbs and verdant riverside parklands.
The region includes some of Victoria’s most engaging art experiences and the eclectic mix of cafes, restaurants and boutique shopping is second to none. The northern edge of Manningham is marked by the Yarra River that winds its way down from the Yarra Valley towards the city, with endless walking trails, picnic locations and playgrounds.
Come and join us as we explore this outstanding region.
Nature enthusiasts and adventurers take note, these walking trails are sensationally scenic. Lace up your comfiest hiking boots, grab your water bottle and explore some of the best walks along Australia’s longest river.
An excellent option for those looking for an easier walking trail, this 9.2 km return trail is popular among walkers, cyclists and bird enthusiasts, it wanders through the river red gums to the historic water pumps at Psyche Bend. Used for moving water from the Murray River to Kings Billabong, it became a vital irrigation system for Mildura’s wine and fruit-growing region in the late 1800s.
Along the way, stop at Bag Bridge for a picnic or a rest to fully enjoy the surroundings, keeping a keen eye out for waterbirds such as ducks, spoonbills and kingfishers. How to find it: Turn right off Irymple Avenue in Mildura at the Kings Billabong Park sign. Follow the Parks Victoria signs to the walk.
The Barmah National Park and Murray Valley National Park combine to create the largest red gum forest in the world.The 4km circular walking track takes just shy of two hours to complete as you wander through the towering red gums passed cooking mounds of the Indigenous Yorta Yorta people, Barmah Lake, the Murray River and Broken Creek.
Camping areas are available along the Murray River portion of the Park and it’s not uncommon to spot native eastern grey kangaroos, koalas and hundreds of bird species along the walk.
How to find it: This loop track begins and ends at the Dharnya Centre. While the Centre itself is currently closed, the track as well as other walks in the region are open for exploring.
These super salty, Insty-famous pink lakes are at their best bubble-gum hue on a sunny day, just following a big rain between 10 am and 2 pm. The Pink Lakes Trail is an intermediate-levelhike just a tad over 4 km long.
Along this historic trail, keep an eye out for relics of the historic railway used to haul crystal salt from the shore including a former skip frame from the Sailor Salt Co. You’ll also spot cordwood slipways created from the lake shore to make salt extraction easier. Lake Becking offers a basic free camping site where you relax beside this blushing beauty and watch how the colour changes throughout the day.
How to find it: You can spot this rosy wonder all the Mallee Highway, in northwest Victoria, roughly 60km west of Ouyen. The trail is best accessed from the nearby Lake Becking camping area.
As part of the Gunbower State Forrest, this easy-to-walk 3.2km looped track is set amid gorgeous wetlands and includes the Gunbower Creek Footbridge. Follow along and you’ll return to Koondrook via the historic Condidorio’s Bridge. Walking among the redgums along the creek, you might spot a kangaroo overlooking the bushland or the abundant birdlife that calls this reserve land home.
If you’re keen to make an overnight of it, this track passes Koondrook Retreat where you stay in a creek-side safari-style glamping tent and wake to birdsong. Take the time to visit the Koondrook Waterfront and Wharf before you go home- it’s well worth the stop whether you’re a history buff or not, the views here are photo-worthy.
How to find it: Start at the footbridge near Koondrook Retreat or park just over the bridge on Gunbower Island at the start of the Red Gum Walking Tracks.
Three walks weave their way through these luscious wetlands, offering a spectacular glimpse into the diverse range ofnative woodlands and birdlife and more. The best bit? All three can easily be done in a day. The constructed trail walks are popular with cyclists and bushwalkers as they include easy terrain with boardwalks and picnic spots.
The Red Gum Walk Loop is 3.5 km and passes by towering red gums that are hundreds of years old. It also features some beautiful views around the entire wetland region.
The 2 km Wetland Walk Loop Trail takes you over a boardwalk for views over the eastern side of the wetlands. Bird enthusiasts, keep an eye out for the bird life. The shorter Young Red Gum Trail connects to the spillway boardwalk through the river red gum regeneration forest. Here the habitat change appeals to different bird and wildlife species. If you’re a bird person, you can grab both a map and a list of resident bird species from the visitor centre on Melville Street in Numurkah.
How to find it:FromKinnairds Road in Numurkah, the trails are accessible via Wattle Drive, Quinn Street and Naring Road.
If long-distance hiking is calling your name, this 426km trail should be at the top of your list. Starting at Cooma Cottage in Yass, it closely follows the route taken by explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell in 1824-1825 as they sought new grazing land.
Taking anywhere from 18 to 26 days to complete, walkers can tackle this one bit by bit as a day hike (all the shorter walks are signposted), or do the whole track start to finish from Albury to Yass (or Yass to Albury).
With more than 100 footbridges along the way, you’ll pass through cool-climate forests, weaving along the river’s edge travelling by waterfalls, creeks, wetlands, several campsites and picnic spots as you go. Portions of the trail are easy to stroll while others are more difficult. Grab a map or visit thetrail website and make your plan.
How to find it: Depending on the trail you choose; you’ll begin at different starting points. Maps and guidebooks with packing lists, tips etc., can be found online or obtained from the Visitor Centre in Yass.
NOTE: As with all outdoor adventures, it’s important to remember that mobile phone reception may not be available everywhere, so walk with a partner or two or let someone know where you’ll be, stay on the marked trails, take plenty of water with you and always leave the trails as beautiful as you found them (i.e., take any rubbish with you.)
We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
Words by Anthea Riskas
Photography Jay Dillon and supplied
Seeing towns along the Murray River endure the flood events of 2022, was devastating. But now that the waters have subsided, and the arduous cleanup and repairs complete, these resilient communities still need your help. And what they need you to do is visit!
With approximately 2,700km of winding river and waterways to explore, pristine landscapes, rich Indigenous culture, a thriving arts scene, museums, top notch tucker and accommodation options that range from under-the-stars to 5-star, there’s so many reasons to head to the Murray for your next getaway.
The obvious place to start planning is along the river itself, and one of the most well-loved ways to enjoy it is by skippering your own houseboat. Fire up the group chat and get a bunch of your favourite pals together to share costs and make memories on your own floating holiday house. You can set sail from Echuca, Moama, Yarrawonga, Mulawa, Mildura or Wentworth. Throw a fishing rod over the side, slowly watch the world go by and moor along the way to explore smaller towns. All you need is a full driver’s license and a sense of adventure, the captain’s hat is optional.
More of a coastal lover? Well so you thought because there are beaches here too! Some of the best stretches of sandy inland beaches can be found near the towns of Cobram and Tocumwal and are perfect spots for camping, kayaking and water skiing.
Perry Sandhills is a spectacular series of sand dunes that have been formed by wind erosion over thousands of years. Traditional owners once camped and hunted here and evidence of their activities, as well as skeleton remains of mega-fauna, are still being revealed as the sand dunes shift over time. It is a stunning landscape to walk through and explore with the family. Kids will love to tumble down some of the steeper dunes. The dramatic site has been regularly utilised as a backdrop to a number of popular films including The Man from Snowy River II.
The Sandhills are also one of many sites of the region that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance to local Indigenous peoples, and another must-see stop on this side of the border is the Aboriginal culture centre Barkindji Wiimpatya Murra Centre (Bmeet), in Dareton. Here you’ll find artworks ranging from traditional carvings and painting to jewellery and more.
At the more contemporary end of the art spectrum, and at the complete opposite end of the river in Albury, is another noteworthy Indigenous stop – the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk. Here you’ll find 15 sculptures installed along 5km of the sealed Wagirra Trail path, that will wander you past playgrounds and parks, and finish at the Wonga Wetlands.
One of the most extraordinary artistic ways to plan your Murray River journey is by mapping out a tour of silo art along the way. Larger than life murals can be seen literal stories high, painted on the sides of wheat silos in towns like Rochester, Colbinabbin, St James and Picola. This outdoor “gallery” has to be seen to be believed!
More of a history buff than an art lover? Then there’s plenty for you throughout the region, with museums and collections ranging from an historic gaol in Wentworth, to all things automotive at The Depot in Deniliquin, from colonial recreations at the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre to a dry-docked submarine in Holbrook and flying boats at Lake Boga. If this is starting to make no sense, it’s your sign to start visiting for yourself.
Nature lovers are utterly spoiled for choice with National Parks aplenty, ready for you to camp, canoe, cycle, hike, swim and end each magical day around a fire, looking up at the stars and marvelling at how many times you’re going to have to return to tick off all the locations on your list.
And then there’s food! Which we could dedicate an entire article to – and which we will do soon, so stay tuned to uncover a secret speakeasy cocktail bar, hipster-level coffee, fine dining and so much more.
For now though, as the weather starts to cool down south, remember that towns like Mildura have semi-arid climates, which mean they’re perfect winter destinations and all along the Murray River Region you’ll find a warm welcome, so get planning!
THE DETAILS
Where: Murray River Region What: Nature, art, history and more! More Info: Visit The Murray
We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
Ever wished you could go to bed at night, gaze out your window and see a medieval castle haloed by the moonlight? What was once regaled to Lords and Ladies of the Dark Ages is now a contemporary, affordable opportunity with the opening of BIG4 Kryal Castle Holiday Park.
Set to officially open on Friday, April 7th—just in time for the autumn school holidays—the new BIG4 Kryal Castle Holiday Park will expand the attraction’s current accommodation offerings to include 57 powered campsites, 16 one-bedroom cabins, and four luxurious two-story loft tiny homes. With modern furnishings and comfortable proportions, these sleeping quarters are a far cry from those of a bygone era.
Families looking to drop anchor within arms reach of entertainment will be well-catered for at the holiday park. An onsite games room comes equipped with Xbox consoles and bean bags, and a large playground will keep the kids amused for hours. Grown-ups can seek refuge with a local drop on the lounge-style deck overlooking the stunning Ballarat cityscape. Even better, your four-legged furry friends are also welcome to stay with you.
For the first month of its opening, guests will receive a 50% discount on entry to the theme park. From jousting tournaments to archery, quirky characters, Knight School, and magical potions, Kryal Castle can fulfil (almost) every medieval desire.
The BIG4 Kryal Castle Holiday Park is conveniently located just a quick 15-minute drive away from Ballarat town centre. Not only does this freshly minted holiday park fulfil the growing demand for more accommodation options in the area, but it also aims to restore tourism to its pre-Covid levels. Upcoming hot ticket items on the Kryal Castle event calendar include the Unicorn Festival from 7th-21st April and the Smashing Pumpkins The World Is A Vampire Tour on Sunday 3rd of April.
“We’re thrilled to open the holiday park and hope that its unique location will attract more visitors to experience Kryal Castle while also increasing the accommodation offering in Ballarat. Our aim is to encourage visitors to explore all the region has to offer,” said Kryal Castle CEO Bart Hamilton.
The holiday park is part of a $5.6 million initial development, privately funded by Kryal Castle, with the option to expand a further 119 sites on the eastern side of the castle grounds.
Round up the kids and enjoy the outdoors with a family picnic. It’s a great way to reconnect with nature, enjoy the fresh air, step away from all that screen time and let the kids burn off some steam in the densely-treed region dubbed ‘the green wedge’.
Roughly an hour outside of Melbourne’s northeast, there are a number of family-friendly picnic spots to enjoy in Nillumbik Shire. Pair it with a huge variety of farmer’s markets (ideal for creating a seriously tasty gourmet picnic basket of local treats) as well as diverse boutique shopping, lush green gardens, art, history and welcoming hospitality, and there’s something to suit every member of your family.
Want to bust the boredom blues? These family-friendly parks aren’t just picnic-perfect, they are loaded with activities, amenities and more to make for a great day out. Keep scrolling for a glimpse of picnic patches for a great family day out.
We wish to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
For those who love to get out, explore and try something new, Nillumbik Shire is bursting with a huge variety of outdoor activities. From relaxing days out to animal encounters, family-friendly activities and more, there truly is an activity to suit everyone.
Renowned for its green spaces, the region is just an hour outside the Melbourne CBD, making it the ideal choice for getting off the sofa, relishing a few digital free hours and enjoying an active day out.
Use our interactive itinerary to plan your next adventure.
We wish to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
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With approximately 2,700km of winding river and waterways to explore, pristine landscapes, rich Indigenous culture, a thriving arts scene, museums, top notch tucker and accommodation options that range from under-the-stars to 5-star, there’s so many reasons to head to the Murray for your next getaway.
More of a coastal lover? Well so you thought because there are beaches here too! Some of the best stretches of sandy inland beaches can be found near the towns of Cobram and Tocumwal and are perfect spots for 
At the more contemporary end of the art spectrum, and at the complete opposite end of the river in Albury, is another noteworthy Indigenous stop – the 
Nature lovers are utterly spoiled for choice with 
