Attractions

There are many attractions for visitors to the Strathbogie Tableland, ranging from:

  • fishing
  • swimming in local creeks and Polly McQuinns
  • bushwalking & hiking
  • mountain biking
  • horse riding
  • llama walks
  • playing golf, tennis or badminton
  • visiting local gardens and nursery (check Coming Events for dates and locations)
  • visiting the local historic cemetery
  • visiting our local church
  • birdwatching visiting the old crystal and gold mines
  • staying in a bed and breakfast visit local markets at Violet Town (2nd Saturday) ad Euroa Farmers Market (3rd Saturday)
  • If you are moving up here, think about joining a book club, garden club, Landcare or Seedsavers group.

Open Gardens

There are two local gardens that periodically open to the public.

  • Sunnymeade Garden. Described by ‘Better Homes and Gardens TV’ as one of Australia’s most beautiful gardens. Created over 36 years by the owner Craig Irving. Features stonework, theme gardens, art, history and rare plants. A totally unique garden in Australia.The garden was initially inspired by English gardens like Hidcote and Sissinghurst but as the garden progressed there were many other influences now evident in the garden. Art, architecture, history and many rare plants are combined to create a garden that is totally unique In Australia. Craig believes gardens can reflect paradise on Earth and this is what he strives to achieve, A Sacred space of peace and beauty to harmonise and uplift the soul, especially more than ever in these times of uncertainty.
  • Public open days in Spring and Autumn are listed on the website:  Sunnymeade   or visit Facebook Sunnymeade Garden Kithbrook

           

  • Forest Hills @ Eloura Park This beautiful garden was created over many years by Helen and Ken Dunnachie. It is now being revitalised by new owners Leanne and Les Margrie.

Strathbogie “Cup Weekend” Festival

November 2nd – November 5th 2024       

For bookings click on the following link

  https://www.trybooking.com/eventlist/strathbogiecupweekendfestival

Click on the image above to see details

Polly McQuinns: swimming, picnicking, barbecues

The picturesque Polly McQuinns is located on Seven Creeks. It is 4km south-east of Strathbogie and comprises a reservoir, weir, bridge, and a pleasant area around the water. Once a natural creek and large deep-water pool, the creek has been dammed on the northern side of the road, creating another large waterbody. The dam is a three-sided concrete weir (1920-30s) with a brand new bridge. To reach Pollys, travel south through the township, go over Smiths Bridge and take the next road to the right, signposted “Polly McQuinns”.
The water spills over the concrete weir wall, under the road bridge, over large exposed granite boulders and across a natural spillway into the deep-water pool. The two distinctive water features and rocky spillway create an attractive place for picnic and walks. The deep-water pool is fringed with reeds and trees, and there are picturesque rock groupings and cascades.
Below the dam is Victoria`s most secure habitat for the endangered trout cod.History: The weir takes its name from Polly McQuinn, an early settler who lived in the area. He was allegedly named Polly because he could not grow a beard. Local lore has it that when he was driving home in his horse and jinker one night he missed the bridge, fell into the water and drowned. There is a rumour that the waterhole is bottomless which is why no trace of him or his horse was ever found.
It has always been a popular swimming and picnic spot and in the 1920’s regular carnivals and school swimming sports were held there.

Mt Wombat Lookout

Mt Wombat Lookout offers excellent 360 degree views of the area from the plateau on top of Mt Wombat (799 m). The story goes that you can see one quarter of Victoria from the summit. The Waranga Basin and Nagamie Weir are both visible from the lookout.
It is reached from the Euroa-Strathbogie Road. The turnoff is signposted and the road allows you to drive right to the top. Alternatively, you can park half way up and enjoy a very pleasant walk to the summit. There are picnicking spots along the way. The road back to Strathbogie winds past the tranquil Strathbogie Cemetery.
During summer it is used as a fire lookout with a person employed to be on fire watch during periods of fire danger.

Bridge to Bridge Walk

This is a short easy walk on a clear walking track through reinstated native woodland behind the township of Strathbogie. It runs between the two main bridges leading in and out of Strathbogie, north and south.
It is a project of the Strathbogie Landcare Group using funding assistance from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and an Envirofund Grant. The clearing and revegetation work has been done by the Landcare Group, local landholders and many volunteers including the local school students.
It was previously a weed-infested riparian zone and now is a viable habitat for indigenous animals and flora.

brochure available

Gooram Falls

The Gooram Falls is a beautiful place to visit for a swim and picnic during summer or to rug up in winter and enjoy the views of the rockpools and water cascading over the rocks.

The Gooram Falls are west of the Strathbogie Tableland, on the Euroa-Mansfield Road. 2WD access to the carparks is fine all year round. If travelling from Strathbogie follow the road to Polly McQuinns down to the Euroa-Mansfield Road. Turn left to Merton and look out for the 2 signposted entrances to the falls on your left.

  

Rocky Ned

Rocky Ned is a rocky outcrop very popular for abseiling. The Rocky Ned creek is also a beautiful water course, weaving past rocks with rock pools, falls and shady tree fern glades. Rocky Ned is only accessible by 4WD or on foot. There are wonderful views across to Mt Buller, from the top.  It is located on the east of the Tableland.

Old Mines

The crystal mine and gold mines of Tallangalook are popular tourist attractions on the Strathbogie Tableland.
The Crystal King mine, which mined quartz crystal for piezo-electric applications used in radio transmitters, was first operated in the 1940’s. The largest hand-cut crystal in the world was found here and is now held at the Melbourne Museum. Around 1990 mining commenced again but for only a short period of time. Fossicking around the area can yield some small crystals.
The gold mines were worked by hundreds from the 1860’s for some years and then by a smaller population for a further twenty to thirty years. Again, in the last thirty years, mining companies have conducted tests to see if it would be a viable operation to begin mining there, but no one has done anything on a large scale since. Tallangalook is now a declared Heritage area.
The early gold mining required heroic efforts. Much of the work was done using high pressure water sluices driven by big steam boilers. All equipment had to be brought up on horse-pulled wagons and assembled on site. The high pressure hose is reported to have killed at least one unfortunate miner who walked in front of it. A deep ferny gully is all that remains of a huge gulch known as Hells Hole. Most other mining was done by digging tunnels.
The mines are located east of the Tableland. Four wheel drive may be advisable in wet weather.