The Albury-Wodonga border region, with its distinctive blend of rivers and hills, is made for lovers of the sun and all things outdoors. From river floating to mountain biking, birdwatching to picnicking, the border deserves a place on your summer bucket list.

Bushwalks to Get Your Legs Pumping

Albury-Wodonga has some sweet running and walking tracks around its hills so you can feel immersed in nature without even leaving town.

Ridge Walking Track

This 5km loop is my favourite walk in Wodonga. It follows the creek and ridgeline through the mossy southern side of Hunchback (McFarlanes) Hill and is a great spot for birdwatching. We once decided to make a half marathon out of it – if you can run it more than five times in a row, let us know so we can give you the respect you deserve.

 

Nail Can Hill

Covered in a maze of trails, Nail Can Reserve is right near the centre of Albury so you can get your dose of nature, then follow it up with an ice-cream! Nail Can Hill is a beautiful reserve and one of the only spots in Australia where you can see the endangered crimson spider orchid.

Rivers to Swim in

Even when the bitumen gets so hot it goes runny, the rivers in Albury-Wodonga stay cool.

Murray River

At the heart of the two cities, the Murray River is the best spot for swimming, socialising and enjoying the sunshine. Lush and well shaded, Noreuil Park is known for its loop float, starting below the causeway bridge and finishing at the end of the park. Make sure to keep an eye out for snags in the water, and don’t be afraid to bring a floatie!

 

Kiewa River

Clearer, faster flowing and more shallow than its Albury counterpart, the Kiewa is less known, but no less entertaining. 

Waterholes to Discover

If you’ve got time to spare, head up the hill to the goldfields where you can swim in historic mine sites.

Woolshed Falls

The distinctive Woolshed Falls was once the centre of the Beechworth gold rush, now the smooth rock pools make perfect spots to sit in the flowing water. The falls end in a plunge pool, surrounded by dramatic rock walls that make great jumping spots if you’re feeling brave.

Allan’s Flat Waterhole

Next to the Osbornes Flat Strawberry Winery, this waterhole is a bit on the warmer side, making it a popular swimming spot for locals.

 

Lookout From Here

Get out of the valley and experience the sky – Wodonga’s open hilltops are the best spot to view the region’s stunning cloud formations.

Klings Hill

Commonly called ‘One Tree’, this spot boasts 360° views for up to 100km in every direction. You can get there on foot or wheel, starting at the bottom of the mountain bike park. Not a walk for the timid, but well worth the sweat. Make a day of it and bring along a picnic lunch!

 

Huon Hill

Drive or walk up Huon Hill to get the best view of the twin cities and the weir. Bring along dinner and watch the sunset (or lightning storms) over the mountains.

 

Monument Hill

At the end of Dean St, a steep track leads you up to one of Albury’s most distinctive landmarks. From a distance, or at night, the monument looks like a candle and is perfectly aligned with the main street, making for a pretty speccy view. A quick and easily accessible lookout, the memorial is great for families.

Mountain Bike Trails to Ride

Albury-Wodonga is seen as the gateway to what is widely accepted as Australia’s number one mountain biking region. The border is an emerging mountain bike destination in its own right.

Hunchback

Rock’n’Rollers is Hunchback’s signature MTB track. Starting at the Kling’s Hill lookout, this professionally built track has major obstacles (with b-lines) and great flow. The park offers other runs off Hunchback Hill and in the Swainsona reserve. 

 

Nail Can Hill

The region’s first and largest MTB park is only a 15-minute ride from Albury’s CBD. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this park will have a track for you. 

Yackandandah

The Yackandandah Council made (arguably) one of the best decisions since instating the yearly Folk Festival when it funded the construction of the Yack Tracks. Meandering through the historic Yack State Forest, the mountain bike trails are well signposted, follow old gold races and mining sites and are perfect for families.

Basecamp

Although there are a bunch of caravan parks smattered throughout Albury-Wodonga, there are few uncommercialised campgrounds.

If you want to pitch your tent in the bush, Reedy Creek campground is about a 50-minute drive from Albury and isn’t far from Woolshed Falls.

The campground has picnic tables and is popular with prospectors, although you’ll need a miner’s licence to go gold panning.

 

Essential Gear

  • Hiking shoes
  • Mountain bike
  • Floating device
  • Camera
  • Swimmers
  • Camp gear

How To Get There

The twin cities are located along the Hume Freeway between Melbourne and Sydney. For those heading up from Melbourne or inland Victoria, it’s also on the way to the Victorian High Country, making it the perfect spot to have a break and enjoy the sunshine.

 

Written in partnership with Pippa Salmon