As a kid, I used to spend a lot of time on the border of Victoria and New South Wales, in a little rural town named Bethanga. I still have dreams about Albury-Wodonga’s hills rolling aimlessly into the waters of the Hume Weir, where we used to water ski, swim and enjoy lakeside BBQs with my cousins, aunty and uncle.
I love the border towns. I love the farms and paddocks populated by cows of all breeds and strange designs, sheep of all curls and horses, black-eyed and noble.
I loved yabbying, yacking with the locals and occasionally, being able to shoot my uncle’s rifle at a bucket on his farm.
Needless to say, I have many fond memories of this region. However, I haven’t been ‘upstate’ for a number of years, so I was somewhat stoked to see how far the twin cities have come over the past decade.
I recently joined Visit Albury Wodonga for a lunch to see how the two towns on either side of the border have joined forces to encourage tourism in the area.
From community, woodfire pizza ovens, riverside BBQs and food trucks, to fine dining and chef’s hatted restaurants, the towns have gone from places to buy feed to the coolest culinary destinations in the country.
Hot attractions include Wodonga’s urban renewal project Junction Place, MAMA gallery and Canvas Eatery in Albury, and a host of new trails and tracks, such as the stunning Wonga Wetlands just outside of Albury.
And you’d be mad not to head up to my old stomping ground and sample the fabulous vino at Posh Plonk in Bethanga. Enjoy the Cellar Door Experience and soak up the stunning Posh Plonk vineyard and panoramic views over Posh Pond out to Lake Hume. I highly recommend the Pinot Grigio, Durif and Shiraz.
There’s so much to see and do in Albury–Wodonga and my tip is that this area will become a hotspot in the coming year, so get there before the masses. The region’s slogan is ‘See Both Sides’ and this promotional video should inspire you to do so soon.
When was the last time you were in Albury–Wodonga?
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