Narbethong on the Black Spur: Forest and History

Narbethong lies at the end of the scenic Black Spur, a driving route between Healesville and Narbethong. Combining this drive with the town’s historical and cultural connections gives your trip planning two perspectives. There are also fishing opportunities and guided tag-along tours to explore Victoria’s natural environment. This means Narbethong can be experienced not only by driving along the road, but also through its own cultural and nature themes.

The Black Spur and the forest landscape

The Black Spur is a scenic driving route between Healesville and Narbethong, and Narbethong lies at its end. When planning your trip, you can treat the drive as a separate part of your itinerary: decide whether the route itself should be your main focus or whether history and activities at the destination matter more. This distinction keeps the scenic drive separate from your stay in town. Narbethong is also surrounded by forest, which is part of the town’s character and complements the views along the route.

History and built surroundings

The Hermitage in Narbethong was built in 1894 as the historic home of internationally renowned anthropological and social photographer John William Lindt. Its year of construction places its history in the late 19th century; Lindt’s work as a photographer adds the perspective of a specific person. For those interested in culture, this connection offers a distinct way to explore the area, alongside the landscape and outdoor activities. The term “anthropological” refers to people and their societies.

Narbethong Community Hall is clad in bronze-coloured metal mesh. This adds another architectural detail to the history of the Hermitage: the material and colour of the hall’s cladding. The historic Black Spur Inn in Narbethong is also still standing today.

Fishing and guided tours

Fishing is another option in Narbethong. If you are structuring your trip around your own interests, you can consider it as a focus alongside history and the driving route. The PNL 4WDrive Training Area is located at 631 Maroondah Highway, Narbethong, Victoria.

PNL-4WD runs one-day guided tag-along tours. They are intended for visitors, novice drivers and people looking to spend an adventurous day exploring Victoria’s natural environment. This offers two distinct ways to experience the area: the scenic Black Spur drive and a guided day tour focused on exploring nature. If you plan to join a tour, check with the operator for current dates and booking options.

Narbethong as a place to stay

If you are considering Narbethong as a possible place to stay overnight, you can base your choice on your preferred focus: the scenic drive along the Black Spur, the town’s history and architecture, or outdoor activities such as fishing and guided tours.

Discover more destinations: Bindi, Kalimna, Mallacoota, Wesburn, Tallangatta, Robinvale, Parkville, Wangaratta.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.