Situated in northeast Victoria lies Wangaratta, a charming country town that is a starting point for visiting the famous wine districts and the Victorian Alps. Its 30,000 or so residents enjoy a combination of city comforts and a rural lifestyle. The Pangerang people are the ancestral owners of the region, and they have a rich indigenous history. After European settlers arrived in Wangaratta in the 1830s, it developed into a major centre for transport and agriculture. These days, it’s well-known for its thriving cultural community, the yearly Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, and its closeness to recreational destinations like Alpine National Park and the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. In this guide, we’ll explore all the things to do in Wangaratta.
Top 5 Things To Do In Wangaratta
Australia is a beautiful country with some of the best sights and views that appeal to both locals and visitors from across the globe, but no vacation would be fully enjoyed without a proper itinerary of the main sights and tourist hotspots. So here is a curated list of things to do in Wangaratta.
1. King George V Park
A wonderful escape in the heart of the city is found at the King George Gardens. In the centre of Wangaratta, on Ovens Street between Templeton and Rowan Streets, are the King George V Memorial Gardens, a lovely green park/garden featuring a playground for kids. In addition, there are picnic tables, restrooms, and lots of trees for shade making it the perfect picnic spot for locals and tourists alike. The space was formerly used in the 1850s to house horses for the local constabulary of police.Market sales were held there in 1864, and stockyards were built as well to boost the economy and jobs during the great famine. Around this period, the massive plane trees that today dominate the park were planted to offer protection from the sometimes extremely high temperatures. In 1938, the gardens were formally established and built to what you see today.
Address: Ovens St, Wangaratta VIC 3677, Australia
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
Entry fee: There is no specific entry charge for this property
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2. Wangaratta Art Gallery
Image Credit: Mattinbgn for Wikimedia Commons
The Wangaratta Art Gallery is one of the most beautiful collections of a range of contemporary visual art exhibits in many mediums that are of the highest calibre, both self-curated and from abroad. Locals, school groups, and tourists from beyond the town and region are drawn to this gallery to experience the true beauty of Australian history. The Gallery is located in the arts and culture district, directly across from the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre.
The Gallery also features the famous Intermezzo Cafe which provides a range of food and drink options to satisfy your tastebuds. In 2004, the Wangaratta Art Gallery established a permanent strategy for its art collection, which allowed them to acquire important works by regional, state, and national artists as well as textiles, wood, and tiny sculptures. Now an established biennial event the Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award, which began in 2009, continues to be the only major textile award of its kind in Australia attracting artists and visitors from all over Australia.
Address: 56 Ovens St, Wangaratta VIC 3677, Australia
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry fee: There is an entry charge for 500 INR
3. Warby-Ovens National Park
Image Credit: Peterdownunder for Wikimedia Commons
Warby-Ovens National Park is a component of an Aboriginal cultural landscape located within the traditional territory of the Yorta Yorta Peoples. Visitors to this diversified park may enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, and breathtaking vistas. They can also choose to just unwind at their campground and observe the local fauna. Some of the most important bushland in the State is found in Warby-Ovens National Park, which is sandwiched between the Murray Valley and the Victorian Alps. It safeguards three distinct habitats.
Majestic River Red Gum woods may be found along the lower Ovens River, which is classified as a cultural landmark. The river sustains one of the most pristine floodplain forests in northern Victoria as it is uncontrolled by dams. There is a highly unusual box-ironbark forest in the Killawarra region. It is the most significant area in the park for endangered species of birds, including the Hooded Robin, the Speckled Warbler, and the Swift Parrot. It also has some areas of enormous ancient trees, and granite outcrops are scattered among the lush, healthy woods that make up the Warby Range.
Address: 56 Ovens St, Wangaratta VIC 3677, Australia
Timings: No specific timings
Entry fee: No specific entry charge
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4. Northern Beaches
Image Credit: Alex Proimos for Wikimedia Commons
This quiet area in Wangaratta, which is situated by the Ovens River, has a walking and cycling track known as the northern beaches and is known for the way it highlights the pristine natural beauty of the Australian countryside. Platypus Beach and Kingfisher Beach are the two beaches in this vicinity. Both are tiny, sandy, and well-named after some of the local fauna that may be found nearby. There are many amazing natural Australian animals in the region, such as possums, bats, sugar gliders, echidnas, long-necked turtles, and platypus.
Throughout the day, you could also be fortunate enough to spot a variety of species, such as Grey Shrike Thrush, Brown and White-throated Treecreepers, Eastern Yellow Robins, and Azure Kingfishers. Additionally, there is an abundance of naturally occurring plants, such as Weeping Grass, Silver Wattle, River Red Gums, River Bottlebrush, and River Tea Tree. It is the perfect getaway for adventure enthusiasts and nature buffs.
Address: Wangaratta VIC 3677, Australia
Timings: No specific timings
Entry fee: No specific entry charge
5. Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre
Image Credit: SimonEast for Wikimedia Commons
The Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre is a first-rate recreation facility located in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia. This contemporary facility provides a wide range of amenities to support different sports and water activities while acting as a community fitness and leisure centre. The facility has state-of-the-art swimming pools, including a heated indoor pool open year-round and a section set aside for aqua aerobics and lap swimming.
The complex has state-of-the-art gymnasiums, multipurpose courts for basketball, netball, and other indoor sports, and designated spaces for group exercise sessions in addition to its aquatic facilities. The Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre is an important community participation hub and offers accessible recreational options for all locals, thanks to its dedication to improving health and wellness.
Address: 41 Schilling Dr, Wangaratta VIC 3677, Australia
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
Entry fee: There is an entry charge of 2500 INR
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Wangaratta, a vibrant rural city in northeast Victoria, offers a perfect blend of country charm and modern amenities. With its rich history, thriving arts scene, and proximity to natural wonders like the Australian Alps, it attracts both tourists and nature enthusiasts. The town’s warm community spirit and diverse attractions make it a hidden gem of regional Australia. So do keep these places in mind when planning your trip to Australia.
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Cover Image Credit : Wongm for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Wangaratta
Where is Wangaratta located?
Wangaratta is located in the northeast of Victoria, towards the south of Australia around 230 km from the city of Melbourne.
What is the population of Wangaratta?
As per the 2021 census, the population of Wangaratta stood at just over 30,000 citizens in the town and a few extra thousand in the countryside.
Where does the name Wangaratta originate from?
The name Wangaratta was given by colonial surveyor Thomas Wedge in 1848 after the 'Wangaratta' cattle station, the name of which is believed to have been derived from an indigenous language and meaning 'meeting of the waters'.
What is the weather like in Wangaratta?
The town of Wangaratta has a humid aub-tropical climate with the highest mean temperature being recorded at 22*C
When was the town of Wangaratta founded?
The town's founding officially occurred in 1843 when a post office was first established in the town.
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