Country living
- Lauretta Stace
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Living in Victoria's countryside offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern convenience. We've been lucky enough to be able to spend some quality time in this compact state, exploring the various landscapes and ecosystems.
Imagine waking up every day to the sound of bird calls, taking a stroll through peaceful eucalypt woodlands, having a picnic by the river, watching birds in the swamplands or enjoying the cool mountain air in the picturesque spa country. All of this is readily accessible in central Victoria. Here are a few highlights of country living in Victoria - and the places we keep going back to.
Murray River
The majestic Murray River is a haven for people who love camping, birdwatching, boating, fishing and outdoor recreation. We've camped at several spots along the river bank at different times of the year. Our latest trip took us onto the NSW side of the river in the Murray Valley Regional Park. A few weeks earlier, central Victoria received around 100mm of rain over a couple of days, so the place was fresh and teeming with life. It created a great opportunity to set up camp and just watch the world go by for a few days. We were fortunate to be camped at a popular fishing spot for one of our favourite birds - the Azure Kingfisher. Our neighbours on the opposite bank included a pair of Whistling Kites who entertained us throughout the day, soaring, whistling, hunting and drinking from the river. It was a good opportunity to practice our photography skills on fast-moving and unpredictable targets!
The Gannawarra
Close to the Victoria and NSW border, this beautiful region is part of the Murray River system that transforms into a series of wetlands, lakes, swamps and forest. It's sometimes referred to as the Kakadu of the south. It's a place of peace and tranquility, as well as being a haven for wildlife. We keep going back for more, including a camping trip at Easter 2026.
Spa Country
Just south of Bendigo is spa country. Daylesford is the main town in the region and is a favourite destination for walking and admiring the scenic beauty of the lake whilst taking in the cool, crisp, mountain air. The Botanic Gardens are also very beautiful with a selection of grand, European trees and a lovely cafe set amidst the gardens. The neighbouring towns are all worth a visit, with Red Beard Bakery in Trentham being a favourite destination for the BEST pies in Victoria (so far) and delicious sourdough bread.
The Northern Oasis - Mount Korong and Boort
Two great destinations for walking, bird watching and photography are Mount Korong and Boort. The granite outcrops of this region are endlessly fascinating, whilst the lush inland oasis of Boort with its lake and surrounding wetlands is always a welcome surprise. It's at Mount Korong that we have captured images of the beautiful Red-backed Kingfisher who is a spring and summer visitor to central Victoria.
Country drives
One of our favourite pastimes is to take a drive around the countryside. Central Victoria has numerous, historical gold-mining towns where the architecture and heritage buildings have been lovingly maintained. It's also an important agricultural area with various crops and vineyards, as well as sheep and cattle farms. The dominant colours of green, red. ochre and yellow look beautiful at different times of the day. The produce is superb and is the pride and joy of many chefs who delight us with delicious food and wine from across the region.
Rivers
Central Victoria has several river systems that rise in the southern Victorian mountain ranges and slowly flow inland and northward to drain into the Murray valley system. The Loddon and Campaspe Rivers are always great place to visit for leisurely strolls, picnics, and camping.
Birdlife
Where there is water, there are birds. We've met many a bird enthusiast who has travelled up from Melbourne to capture images of the gorgeous array of inland birds that populate this region for its unique woodland habitat, plant life and water systems.
Rodeo
Part of country life is a rodeo. It's a wondrous things to witness the skill of the men and women who ride fast quarter-horses to beat the clock, rope small cows and tackle bucking broncos and gigantic bulls with names such as Earthquake. It was an awesome experience! Rodeos are also popular community events where people from all over Australia gather to watch their favourite cowboys and cowgirls compete for points and prizes. The audience were dressed in real, country style, with fabulous boots and hats. It was a lot of fun to be part of it all.
Video
To watch our video of the Murray River experience click on this link (password: odyssey):
Next stop - back to the Gannawarra and then, and adventure in the Mallee Country!
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