V & C Impressions

Almost Grey Nomads in Australia

Tag: Loddon Mallee

  • Echuca Rotary Park – Donation Camp

    Echuca Rotary Park – Donation Camp

    This is a good donation camp site to stop at for a few days. You do have to be self contained, but with enough supplies you could stay here for a week. The place felt safe, with some other campers being there for a few days.

    • Website: Rotary Park
    • Fee Category: Donation
    • Booking: No
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: No
    • Dump point: Yes
    • Pool: No
    • Fire pits: Yes
    • Telstra: Good
    • Starlink: May have problems with trees
    Old Farm machinery within Campgroung
    Old Farm machinery within Campgroung

    Our Opinion

    This campsite is big, so no need to worry about not being able to find a place to stay. The first part is a gravel type of park and if you want to stay under the trees and closer to the river then keep driving to the left and the track will tack you down to the second section of the campsite. That’s where we stayed. It was hot so we were happy to be shaded by the trees

    Enter the park off Rose St, Campaspe Esp, Google sent us to the entrance off Northern Hwy, which we could not find.

    If you have the right setup, you could stay here for a few days, especially since there is a dump point on site, which is usually the first problem when camping off grid, the toilet cassette gets full. There is potable water however we didn’t need it and unsure where the tap is located.

    The river was not flowing very fast when we where there in March. The caretaker did say the water is from farmland and should be ok to swim in and but up to you. There are fish in the river so I suppose it can’t be that bad.

    The have a mini train track at the bottom section with a railway station. This is open the 1st Sun each month from March to December and they ask you not to camp within a certain distance of the tracks. Shame it wasn’t going when we were there. Will have to time it better on our next visit.

    You need to register and pay. This is self service. A little tool box on the wall containing pens to complete the form and pop it into a zip lock type bag and shove in the slot.

    There was a row of old farm machinery at the top by the grave/dirt track and various other parts around the place. Very relaxing and felt safe and will be back to this awesome donation camp.

    We stayed down by the river and would feel safe leaving the caravan there to go exploring. Since we were only doing an over night stop we didn’t disconnect and take a look around town. Save that for next time.

    Campsite view of the Murray River
    Campsite view of the Murray River
    Old Farm machinery next to drveway
    Old Farm machinery next to drveway
    Echuca Rotary Park grounds
    Echuca Rotary Park grounds
    Echuca Rotary Park campground signs
    Echuca Rotary Park campground signs
  • Discovery Parks – Mildura

    Discovery Parks – Mildura

    We stayed here in March, the park itself was wonderful with all the usual features you would expect from a Discovery Park. This park is technically in NSW, on the other side of the Murrey River. Still close to town which is a 2 minute drive over the bridge.

    Discovery Park Buronga is conveniently located in Buronga, NSW, right across the Murray River from Mildura in VIC, in the beautiful Sunraysia region

    • Website: Swan Hill Council
    • Fee Category: Paid
    • Booking: Yes
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: Toilets / Showers
    • Dump point: Yes
    • Pool: Yes
    • Fire pits: Yes
    • Telstra: Good
    • Starlink: May have problems with trees
    Discovery Park, Shadow going for his morning walk
    Discovery Park, Shadow going for his morning walk

    Our Experience

    We found this Discovery Park to be very good, so good we extended our stay!

    Location wise, it is close to Mildura with a quick 2 minute drive over the bridge, while the park is technically in NSW, you are greeted with the Welcome to Victoria sign every time you drive over the bridge, and of course NSW won’t be outdone with the their sign on the way back.

    Unfortunately for us, when we where there, Mildura was hot,hot,hot, so not too much exploring. None the less, we did get out and about during the morning usually which was pleasant. The heat did not really hit until midday, then it was back to the caravan and sit in the A/C, or the pool, which was surprisingly cold. It was shaded in the afternoon by the trees. There was another smaller pool that was in full sun. We didn’t try that one out.

    There are so many huge houseboats that go past and some stop and park up for the night. They are pretty impressive and one day we would love to hire one with others. What an experience that would be.

    The site we stayed on had a concrete pad and others where grassy. They were close together however it didn’t really bother us. There were groups that came and went. Everyone was friendly.

    Photos

    Discovery Park, sunrise over the Murray River bridge
    Discovery Park, sunrise over the Murray River bridge
    Discovery Park swimming pool
    Discovery Park swimming pool
    Discovery Park main amenities block
    Discovery Park main amenities block
    Discovery Park amenities block
    Discovery Park amenities block
    Discovery Park tree art
    Discovery Park tree art
    Shadow at the Entrance

    Places of Interest that we went to.

    Holden Museum – This took me down memory lane. I worked on many of these cars during my time as a mechanic. Sad to see an end to an era. Do go and support this museum if int he area. They are considering closing and we don’t want that to happen.

    Mildura Working Mans Club – A good place for a drink and a feed. Prices are very reasonable and service excellent. A visitor member pass lasts for 7 days and is free so you can go back again and again.

    Orange World – Yes we did the tour, and good to learn all about the humble orange, mandarins and even avocados. Everything from growing to harvesting and well worth a visit.

    Paddle Steamer – Catch a ride on the iconic Mildura paddle steamer or watch it go through Lock 11 at Muludra Weir. If you have never seen a boat go through a lock, you have to see this one.

    Trentham Winery – We had a lovely lunch here and they allows dogs. Nice for Shadow to be able to join us, his good looks won everyone over. A very nice setting and the Cellar Door right next door. We bought a nice bottle of Shiraz to take back to camp.

    Australian Inland Botanical Garden – this is worth a look. It’s a big area and lots of different sections include other parts of the world. It was very hot when there and they do have this drive through area so you can stay in the air con. We started walking around but just got too hot. Some areas did need a little TLC. It is run by volunteers and by donation. There was also a cafe and gift shop which we didn’t visit.

    Woodsies Gem Shop – if you are into gems or not this place is worth a visit. There are quite a few display cabinets showing all the different types of gem stones, jewellery, carved items, etc. Prices vary depending on what you want from $2 upwards. Part of the shop area and into the cafe area they have set the ceiling up like a cave. Very cool. You can also go for a walk in a cave itself. We didn’t do this part and was only a couple of dollars.