Episode 38: 8 November
Join host Suzie Wilks and the rest of the Postcards team this week for a trip to the Murray. After hooking up the caravan, packing the tents, and loading into the RV, the crew head towards the calming waters of Victoria’s northern boarder in today’s Caravan and Camping special. They cover great pit stops along the way, including Shepparton, Rutherglen, Echuca and Corowa.
Corowa
Blair is towing a Jayco Pop Top all the way to Rivergum Holiday Retreat, which sits on the Murray River in Corowa, three hours from Melbourne and smack bang on the Victorian and New South Wales border. The compact caravan has all the comforts of home and everything is within arms reach, making things very easy after spending the day bushwalking, boating or fishing. The caravans are basically like Lego for big kids. They're heaps of fun and fit into the tightest of spots, which makes caravanning child's play. The best thing about having one of these is that if you tire of the location, you can pack it up and move on. This week here's something to see in town that's sure to get Blair's blood boiling.
If you love the sound and the speed of cars, Max's Motor Museum is the place to be next time you're passing through Corowa. When it comes to vintage and veteran cars there's no such thing as too many. With over 50 classics, Max's garage is a treasure trove of motoring memorabilia.
Rivergum Holiday Retreat
386 Honour Avenue, Corowa
Ph: 02 6033 1990
www.rivergumholidayretreat.com.au
Max's Motor Museum
Corner Hammersley and Norseman Road, Corowa
02 6033 1429
Jayco Starcraft Pop Top
03 9761 5000
www.bayswaterjayco.com.au
Echuca
Glen is picking up a special delivery in the famous town of Echuca on the mighty Murray River. When it comes to deluxe caravans, the Regal Commander is the 'big momma' of semi off-road campers and underneath the tough exterior, she's an absolute beauty. Talk about all the modern luxuries, this thing has it all. There's a queen-size bed with storage underneath, full kitchen, LCD TVs, radio, air conditioning, a separate bathroom with toilet shower and a washing machine. On the outside this thing gets really serious, with more storage, roll-out awning and a slide-out BBQ.
You can't come to Echuca without a trip down the famous river and this time we're going to do it a little bit differently. When you think of cruising the river a paddle steamer is probably the first thing to come to mind, but if you're into making your own tracks you can hook up with the team at Billabong Ranch. Whether you're a beginner or an expert horse rider there's a trail ride to suite everyone. For over 15 years these guys have been have been operating in the Echuca area and offering everything from three-hour trail rides, winery rides and even overnight rides if you'd like to get the full horseback experience.
Billabong Ranch
2831 Tehan Road, Echuca
Ph: 03 5483 5122
www.justhorses.com.au
Regal Caravans
www.regalcaravans.com.au
Shepparton
Usually when Lauren goes away she likes to lap up the luxury, but sometimes nothing beats packing up the tent and getting back to basics with a camping trip. And that's just what Lauren and her friend Erin are doing. They're heading to Shepparton, which is located two hours north of Melbourne in the Goulburn Valley, an area known for its rich agriculture and premium produce.
You can't go to Shepparton without a visit to SPC, and their factory sales outlet is the perfect place to get all your camping non-perishables. The Shepparton Processing Company and Ardmona Foods were started in 1918 and since then people have been coming from far and wide to stock up on their terrific variety of tins and tubs.
With their supplies in order it's time to set up camp at the Big 4 Shepparton East Holiday Park. The holiday park has some great facilities for the kids but the girls' favourite is definitely the brand new jumping pillow. The ultimate kids experience can be found at Shepparton's multi-award-winning children's adventure playground, KidsTown. Set in a bush setting, it boasts a miniature railway track, a maze, a flying fox, giant slides and a family style café. It's designed for three to twelve-year-olds, but they don't mind big kids running around either.
SPC Ardmona Kidstown
Midland Highway, Shepparton
Ph: 03 5831 4213
www.kidstown.org.au
SPC Ardmona Factory Sales
Corner Korio and Vaughan streets, Shepparton
Ph: 03 5821 7033
www.ardmonafactorysales.com.au
BIG4 Shepparton East Holiday Park
15 Orrvale Road, Shepparton
Ph: 03 5829 2396
www.big4.com.au
Rays Outdoors
Ph: 1800 641 867
www.raysoutdoors.com.au
Cobram
Brodie and her husband Heath are travelling in this fabulous Sunliner Holiday motor home through the Cobram Barooga. The district is known as the food bowl of Australia, so there are plenty of excuses stop along the way. Their first stop is at PJK Fresh Fruits, which offers about 20 different varieties of sun-ripened fresh fruits picked in season, straight from the orchard. There's always a specials board out the front and you can buy by the bag, by the box or just by the piece.
When it's time to find somewhere beautiful to stop, eat and sleep, pull in at the RACV Cobram Resort. Cobram is said to have sunshine 300 days of the year, and the RACV Cobram Resort has some awesome outdoor facilities to make the most of your time outdoors. There's a BMX track, two tennis courts, a basketball court, children's playground, a rec room, communal TV lounge and a heated salt-water swimming pool, complete with a children's pool.
You can't take a road trip in Australia without dropping in on a 'big' something, and in this region, all that sunshine means beautiful big strawberries. The Big Strawberry is much more than just an oversized strawberry. It's a working farm with more than eight hectares of strawberry bushes in season, you can pick your own as well as enjoying the strawberry-themed café and produce store all year round.
PJK Fresh Fruit
4 Langan Road, Cobram East
Ph: 03 5873 5272
RACV Cobram Resort
Campbell Road, Cobram
Ph: 03 5872 2467
www.racv.com.au
The Big Strawberry
7034 Goulburn Valley Highway, Koonoomoo
Ph: 03 5871 1300
www.thebigstrawberry.com.au
Melbourne RV
Canterbury Road, Bayswater
Ph: 8761 6255
www.sunliner.com.au
Rutherglen
Rutherglen is in the heart of our north east wine region, and for your exploration of this great area you can make the most of all styles of accommodation. For those on a budget or keen campers, why not try the cabins at the Rutherglen Caravan and Tourist Park? The property, which is next door to a playground, offers eight self-contained cabins with en suites, and there's plenty of room for the family caravan. There's also an undercover camp kitchen and BBQ facilities. The beauty of the place is that it's close to town and within a whisker of some excellent wineries, which Suzie sets out to visit.
Her first stop off is the cellar door at Stanton and Killeen. Our next vineyard is Pfeiffer Wines, also family run. Bought by Robyn and Chris Pfeiffer back in 1984, their daughter Jen was recently named in the Top Ten Young Wine Makers of Australia and New Zealand. Jen has collected numerous trophies and earned her family winery a five-star rating in the 2010 James Halliday Wine Companion. The winery is famous for the Sunday Creek Bridge, which has seen many a soiree, whether it be for the annual "Pfeiffer Frolic" long lunch, or by visitors just wanting to picnic on its well-worn planks.
Rutherglen Caravan and Tourist Park
72 Murray Street, Rutherglen
Ph: 02 6032 8577
www.rutherglencaravanandtouristpark.com
Stanton and Killeen Wines
Jacks Road, Rutherglen
Ph: 02 6032 9457
www.stantonandkilleenwines.com.au
Pfeiffer Wines
167 Distillery Road, Wahgunyah
Ph: 02 6033 2805
www.pfeifferwinesrutherglen.com.au
What's on
Macedon Ranges Budburst Wine and Food Festival
Budburst, the annual Macedon Ranges Wine Region celebration, begins next weekend and is a great opportunity to explore the picturesque region.
Where: Macedon Ranges
When: 14 - 15 November
More: Phone 03 5422 0326 or visit www.budburst.com
La Dolce Vita
Take in the stunning scenery, as well as gourmet food and wines, at La Dolce Vita, the King Valley's springtime celebration of the sweet life.
Where: King Valley
When: 14 - 15 November 2009
More: Phone 1800 801 065 or visit www.winesofthekingvalley.com.au
Accessibility Weekend - Free Wheelchair Access
If you are, or anyone you know is wheelchair bound, you can enjoy some of Victoria's finest attractions free of charge, as places such as The Eureka Skydeck and Melbourne Racing Museum help host this years Accessibility Weekend.
Where: Various Victorian venues
When: 14 - 15 November 2009
More: Visit www.independenceaustralia.com
