The Twin Cities' Sue Wallace uncovers some of Albury-Wodonga’s secrets.
Whether it’s wind surfing on Lake Hume or sipping a latte on a sunny kerbside cafe, Albury-Wodonga is a perfect combination of urban vibe and country charm.
There’s a mix of tradition and innovation in the twin cities that straddle either side of the Murray River with a foot in NSW and Victoria.
Each city has its own personality attracting foodies, families and fun-seekers alike and there’s plenty to keep the business market entertained when it’s time to close the laptop and call it a day.
Whether it’s a quick bite after a long day or a gourmet degustation dinner to entertain clients, you will never go hungry here.
Wodonga’s newest restaurant Broad gauge is headed by skilled chef Jodie Jones and partner Steve Carne who made a name for themselves at Albury’s Source dining.
Located in Wodonga’s historic railway station that dates back to the 1870s, you will find historic charm and an innovative menu. In a quirky nod to history, train departure times are broadcast in the loo.
For a quiet drink with colleagues head to Wodonga’s Sunset on Vine or the striking art deco Café Grove next to the iconic water tower.
Across the Border Q Manhattans, part of Albury’s Quest Apartments, oozes the charm and grace of a 1940s-style bar and restaurant.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner it showcases local produce with seasonal specialities and has a great wine list.
The tapas bar is perfect for business and social drinks with tasty treats available and great cocktails – the Melon Apple Fizz is a standout.
Albury’s second Quest Apartments will open next March featuring another great dining option and Wodonga’s new Quest apartments and Huon Hill restaurant are already creating a buzz.
Wine lovers will relish the Border Wine Room, where wine buff David Sutherland shares his secrets with imported and Australian wines and the rustic La Maison on the Causeway is a good place to impress business associates.
On a balmy night the Bended Elbow’s Rooftop Bier Garden is the place for stargazing and an ale or wine.
If you love a good coffee and need a pre meeting pick me up, there are lots of quirky cafes serving great brews in both cities. Albury’s standouts are Zoi Coffee Roasters, Caffe Mamma, newcomers.
The Proprietor that have recently opened in an old butchery in Townsend St, the River Deck Café at Noreuil Park in summer and Mr Benedict that also has a great following for gourmet breakfasts. In Wodonga get a coffee fix at Caffe Mammas, Deli Bean and Hideout Café.
Ready to clear the cobwebs after a busy workday? Then lace up your runners and head out on one of many walking tracks in the area. The Albury Trails Guide at the Visitors Information Centre features the city’s parks and attractions on 40kms of networked trails and Wodonga has a similar guide.
Download the Albury CBD Historic Building Walking Tour (App) and take a brisk morning walk around Albury’s CBD while passing some of Albury’s iconic buildings. For brisk walkers allow an hour or add an extra 30 minutes if you go at a slower pace.
If you’ve been running from meeting to meeting all day, perhaps you’d rather go for a swim instead. Consider taking the plunge in the Murray River but be warned even on the hottest of days nothing quite prepares you for the icy rush of cold water.
For many locals a dip in the refreshing waters and a float down the river is a daily ritual and a perfect way to escape the heat.
If you’re able to spend the weekend in the area, you might hire a canoe from Murray River Canoe Hire and start paddling.
It is a peaceful trip passing farming land with cattle and sheep grazing nearby, orchards and market gardens. Pack a picnic and pull up beside one of the magnificent 600-year-old river gums that line the banks. The good news is the strong current takes the hard work out of paddling.
Head to Lake Hume, a spectacular man-made aquatic playground that took 17 years to build and holds six times more water than Sydney Harbour.
It’s perfect for sailing, skiing, wind surfing and fishing and there’s everything from mini golf to waterslides on the foreshore.
Albury-Wodonga is close to great wine country with standout cellar doors and excellent restaurants.
Drop into All Saint’s Estate Terrace restaurant at Wahgunyah, Brown Brothers Epicurean restaurant at Milawa and Beechworth’s Provenance and Ox and Hound restaurants for memorable dining.
The twin cities are close to the Falls Creek and Mt Hotham ski fields and coaches head there most days so you don’t have to drive yourself.
The goldmining towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah are perfect for wandering
and discovering quaint and quirky shops and you may even find a nugget.
The Bonegilla Migrant Experience turns back the clock to when European immigrants arrived in Australia after World War II. Stand inside Block 19 and you can almost hear the voices of those who began new lives.
History buffs will also enjoy Wodonga’s Army Museum with its impressive collection of war vehicles.
For some of Albury’s best views head to Monument Hill, home of the 30-metre war cenotaph at the top of Dean Street. Wodonga’s Huon Hill also offers spectacular views of Lake Hume, the Kiewa Valley, alpine region, Murray and Kiewa rivers and Albury-Wodonga.
It is great for bird watching and has a variety of walking trails.
Harvey’s Fun Park in Wodonga is a favourite haunt for families with a huge sandpit; mini golf and water slide as well as great picnic and barbecue facilities.
In Albury Oddies Creek Playspace has a giant flying fox, birds nest swing and observation deck. At Sumsion Gardens - you’ll see swans and ducks and the iconic Albury Botanic Gardens are a great place to play hide and seek.
Further afield you can get lost in Australia’s largest living hedge maze at Wandiligong near Bright.
The fortnightly Hume Murray Farmers Market held at Gateway Village between Albury and Wodonga showcases the stunning produce of the area.
There’s everything from locally grown Murray Cod, smoked trout, quail, rabbit and beef, delicious Rutherglen lamb, olives, Milawa cheeses and breads, shiraz- filled chocolates, Gundowing Ice Cream and Table Top Figs. The egg and bacon rolls cooked by locals are legendary.
One thing you soon discover about these twin cities is that they are twice
as nice as anywhere else.
Whether it’s wind surfing on Lake Hume or sipping a latte on a sunny kerbside cafe, Albury-Wodonga is a perfect combination of urban vibe and country charm.
There’s a mix of tradition and innovation in the twin cities that straddle either side of the Murray River with a foot in NSW and Victoria.
Each city has its own personality attracting foodies, families and fun-seekers alike and there’s plenty to keep the business market entertained when it’s time to close the laptop and call it a day.
Wining & Dining
Whether it’s a quick bite after a long day or a gourmet degustation dinner to entertain clients, you will never go hungry here.
Wodonga’s newest restaurant Broad gauge is headed by skilled chef Jodie Jones and partner Steve Carne who made a name for themselves at Albury’s Source dining.
Located in Wodonga’s historic railway station that dates back to the 1870s, you will find historic charm and an innovative menu. In a quirky nod to history, train departure times are broadcast in the loo.
For a quiet drink with colleagues head to Wodonga’s Sunset on Vine or the striking art deco Café Grove next to the iconic water tower.
Across the Border Q Manhattans, part of Albury’s Quest Apartments, oozes the charm and grace of a 1940s-style bar and restaurant.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner it showcases local produce with seasonal specialities and has a great wine list.
The tapas bar is perfect for business and social drinks with tasty treats available and great cocktails – the Melon Apple Fizz is a standout.
Albury’s second Quest Apartments will open next March featuring another great dining option and Wodonga’s new Quest apartments and Huon Hill restaurant are already creating a buzz.
Wine lovers will relish the Border Wine Room, where wine buff David Sutherland shares his secrets with imported and Australian wines and the rustic La Maison on the Causeway is a good place to impress business associates.
On a balmy night the Bended Elbow’s Rooftop Bier Garden is the place for stargazing and an ale or wine.
Café Culture
If you love a good coffee and need a pre meeting pick me up, there are lots of quirky cafes serving great brews in both cities. Albury’s standouts are Zoi Coffee Roasters, Caffe Mamma, newcomers.
The Proprietor that have recently opened in an old butchery in Townsend St, the River Deck Café at Noreuil Park in summer and Mr Benedict that also has a great following for gourmet breakfasts. In Wodonga get a coffee fix at Caffe Mammas, Deli Bean and Hideout Café.
Stretch your Legs
Ready to clear the cobwebs after a busy workday? Then lace up your runners and head out on one of many walking tracks in the area. The Albury Trails Guide at the Visitors Information Centre features the city’s parks and attractions on 40kms of networked trails and Wodonga has a similar guide.
Download the Albury CBD Historic Building Walking Tour (App) and take a brisk morning walk around Albury’s CBD while passing some of Albury’s iconic buildings. For brisk walkers allow an hour or add an extra 30 minutes if you go at a slower pace.
Water Wonders
If you’ve been running from meeting to meeting all day, perhaps you’d rather go for a swim instead. Consider taking the plunge in the Murray River but be warned even on the hottest of days nothing quite prepares you for the icy rush of cold water.
For many locals a dip in the refreshing waters and a float down the river is a daily ritual and a perfect way to escape the heat.
If you’re able to spend the weekend in the area, you might hire a canoe from Murray River Canoe Hire and start paddling.
It is a peaceful trip passing farming land with cattle and sheep grazing nearby, orchards and market gardens. Pack a picnic and pull up beside one of the magnificent 600-year-old river gums that line the banks. The good news is the strong current takes the hard work out of paddling.
Pack a Picnic
Head to Lake Hume, a spectacular man-made aquatic playground that took 17 years to build and holds six times more water than Sydney Harbour.
It’s perfect for sailing, skiing, wind surfing and fishing and there’s everything from mini golf to waterslides on the foreshore.
Take a Drive
Albury-Wodonga is close to great wine country with standout cellar doors and excellent restaurants.
Drop into All Saint’s Estate Terrace restaurant at Wahgunyah, Brown Brothers Epicurean restaurant at Milawa and Beechworth’s Provenance and Ox and Hound restaurants for memorable dining.
The twin cities are close to the Falls Creek and Mt Hotham ski fields and coaches head there most days so you don’t have to drive yourself.
The goldmining towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah are perfect for wandering
and discovering quaint and quirky shops and you may even find a nugget.
Unique Attractions
The Bonegilla Migrant Experience turns back the clock to when European immigrants arrived in Australia after World War II. Stand inside Block 19 and you can almost hear the voices of those who began new lives.
History buffs will also enjoy Wodonga’s Army Museum with its impressive collection of war vehicles.
Bird’s Eye Views
For some of Albury’s best views head to Monument Hill, home of the 30-metre war cenotaph at the top of Dean Street. Wodonga’s Huon Hill also offers spectacular views of Lake Hume, the Kiewa Valley, alpine region, Murray and Kiewa rivers and Albury-Wodonga.
It is great for bird watching and has a variety of walking trails.
Bring the Family Back
Harvey’s Fun Park in Wodonga is a favourite haunt for families with a huge sandpit; mini golf and water slide as well as great picnic and barbecue facilities.
In Albury Oddies Creek Playspace has a giant flying fox, birds nest swing and observation deck. At Sumsion Gardens - you’ll see swans and ducks and the iconic Albury Botanic Gardens are a great place to play hide and seek.
Further afield you can get lost in Australia’s largest living hedge maze at Wandiligong near Bright.
Farmers Market
The fortnightly Hume Murray Farmers Market held at Gateway Village between Albury and Wodonga showcases the stunning produce of the area.
There’s everything from locally grown Murray Cod, smoked trout, quail, rabbit and beef, delicious Rutherglen lamb, olives, Milawa cheeses and breads, shiraz- filled chocolates, Gundowing Ice Cream and Table Top Figs. The egg and bacon rolls cooked by locals are legendary.
One thing you soon discover about these twin cities is that they are twice
as nice as anywhere else.