Views
Whilst we wouldn't want you to miss any of the orienteering events, there are quite a few other attractions in the region. Some you may be able to sample after events, some on rest days and some by arriving a little before the carnival.
Mountains and scenery:
Visit the Gariwerd National Park, two hours west of Bendigo. Impressive sandstone cliffs ride out of the surrounding plains. Mount Stapleton and the Wonderland Range are very scenic walks. Here is a guide book for various walks in the Gariwerd.
Wangaratta calls itself the gateway to the Alpine Country. Depending on weather and snow conditions, there are great walks on Mount Buffalo Plateau and surrounding mountains. Watch the weather.
Golf:
Fifty minutes north of the Australian Long Distance and Relay Championships venue is the town of Yarrawonga on the banks of the Murray River. The Yarrawonga and Border Golf Club is Australia's largest public access golf resort with three well-designed and well-manicured courses.
Wine and culture:The Bendigo Wine Region is well known for its Shiraz style. The web scribe has a personal soft spot for Connor Park and Black Jack in particular, and for Bress Pink Lady cider. Visit some of the 40+ local wineries, or sample at the Bendigo Wine Bank. Oenophiles can get lost wandering the shelves of wine. Zip across View Street and check out the Bendigo Art Gallery. The Castlemaine Gallery is pretty impressive for a regional town. Lots of money from the gold era went into the collection.
Once you reach Benalla and Wangaratta for the second weekend, the Rutherglen region is compulsory. Sample one of the best fortified wine styles of the world, the famous Rutherglen Muscat. Find a friendly teetotaller to take you on the 30 minute drive to Rutherglen, or purchase for later enjoyment. Australia has well policed drink-driving laws. Closer to the event site is Baileys of Glenrowan. If you are lucky their old liquer muscat and tokay may be in stock again. Nectar.
Aboriginal culture:Nestled in a valley of the Grampians Range is the town of Halls Gap and the home of the Brambuk Cultural Centre. It is a two and a half hours drive from Bendigo. The centre provides and interpretation of the aboriginal history of the district and guidance on accessible rock art sites. The National Park has many wonderful short walks around Halls Gap.
Skiing:
You never know your luck. There might be some snow left at Mount Hotham.
Rock climbing:
You've come this far... how can you not go the rest of the way and visit Mount Arapiles and Taipan Wall. Two and a half hours from Bendigo.
That was just a selection of the highlights. For more details check out the web sites of the local tourism centres.
Bendigo
Castlemaine, Maldon
Alpine Victoria
Beechworth, Rutherglen, Chiltern
Wangaratta
Benalla