Campaspe Shire: Museums, Gardens and Gold History

Campaspe Shire invites you to discover local history, nature and active experiences together. Museums tell stories of regional life and sport, gold discoveries have shaped the history of individual towns, and gardens and trails offer very different perspectives on the landscape. When planning your trip, it’s worth first choosing the experiences that interest you most: in Echuca, culture and attractions on the Murray River take centre stage, while Girgarre, for example, offers different highlights with its botanic garden and sound walk.

Museums, gold history and local culture

The historic Port of Echuca precinct offers a museum, historic buildings, displays of equipment, steam-powered exhibits and guided tours. The Discovery Centre, operated by Campaspe Shire Council, is part of the precinct. Authentic paddle steamers depart daily from Echuca Wharf, and guided tours are also offered daily. A small section of the wharf has been preserved as part of the recreated Port of Echuca visitor attraction and serves as a viewing point over the Murray River and surrounding bushland.

The Lockington & District Living Heritage Complex, a local history museum and resource centre, offers further insights into the past. Historic exhibits from the district include a shearing shed, a blacksmith’s forge, a dairy shed, a historic classroom, a PMG hut, a Masonic lodge, a restored tram, a pop-top caravan, locally built tractors and a steam wagon. Objects in the Rochester Sports Museum recall more recent sporting history; the collection includes memorabilia from Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Merv Hughes, Greg Norman and Sharelle McMahon.

Whroo brings the gold history vividly to life: the town was established in 1853 as a village at the foot of Balaclava Hill, after more than 20,000 ounces of gold were discovered there. Today, Whroo is a ghost town with walking trails and a picnic area. In the Rushworth-Whroo area, the Balaclava Gold Mine is closed to the public; you can view it from lookouts around the site. Check access rules before your visit.

Public art and events also give the towns their own character. Tongala has more than 30 murals in its central shopping area, and a walking tour of the award-winning street art is also available. The Montevideo-Maru mural in the centre of Stanhope honours the victims of the greatest maritime disaster in Australian history. The Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival is held every year on Easter Saturday and showcases local businesses, tourism offerings, produce, crafts, talents and skills.

Gardens and trails for different kinds of discovery

The Gargarro Regional Botanic Gardens in Girgarre combine native plants with a four-hectare sensory garden. Taste, touch, sight, smell and sound are the main ways to experience the plant world there. A water feature and a lookout offer views of the natural garden landscape and provide insights into regional plant life. The garden invites visitors to explore Australian flora and nature, while also reflecting the dry landscapes of the Campaspe region. Girgarre also has a sound walk in a park-like setting.

The trails vary in length and route. The 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail connects Rushworth with Murchison, passing Waranga Basin, bushland and farmland. The family-friendly Girgarre-Stanhope Rail Trail is 5 kilometres long and connects Girgarre with Stanhope. In Echuca, the Campaspe River Walk is a 5-kilometre return route on a sealed path for pedestrians and cyclists; it is intended for walkers, joggers and cyclists. You can choose between a longer connection between two towns and shorter routes with clearly stated distances.

In Echuca’s Banyule State Forest, a 6-kilometre return route winds through a network of trails among the area’s stately eucalyptus trees. Those interested in climbing or abseiling will find seven small granite boulders suitable for these activities in Mount Hope Nature Conservation Reserve.

Wetlands, water and more activities

Ghow (Kow) Swamp is a permanent wetland with impressive views and is popular with photographers. Activities on Gunbower Island include camping, canoeing, walking and birdwatching. Torrumbarry is a popular spot for water sports, fishing and camping. A photographic exhibition at the Torrumbarry Weir Interpretive Centre shows the importance of the lock system to the Murray River and water conservation.

In Echuca, TwistED Science adds interactive science experiences to the cultural offerings. These include augmented reality experiences about water, a reaction test, marble runs and tubes, designing and testing paper aeroplanes, and a room for making bubbles. The Shire therefore offers a choice of exhibitions and historic sites, as well as hands-on activities and outdoor exploration.

Markets and choosing where to stay

Farmers’ markets are held regularly in the small towns and villages of Campaspe Shire. Depending on the market, you can buy fresh produce, preserves and local drinks, as well as art and crafts, directly from local growers, bakers and craftspeople; live music is also on offer. Dates and times vary from market to market.

When looking for hotels in Campaspe Shire, it helps to first consider your interests: museums and gold history, botanical discoveries, trails or attractions by the water can each shape your stay in different ways.

Discover more places

For more ideas as you plan your trip, explore Kanyapella and Wharparilla.

Discover more destinations: Ararat Rural City, Yarra Ranges Shire, Pyrenees Shire, Wangaratta Rural City, Gannawarra Shire, Wellington Shire.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.