Walhalla welcomes big families.

We had a great weekend in Walhalla. We knew there would be plenty to do and see in the area so we decided to check it out, even though we’d never been there before or heard any first-hand accounts of what it’s like. We read that you can camp there, but couldn’t find any websites about the campground.

It took about 2 hours from Melbourne, towing my new trailer, which meant that the five kids had much more room in the back of the Tarago. As we drove through Walhalla, there were a few tents pitched on grassy patches by Stringers Creek. But we kept going a couple of kilometres past the centre of town and came to the North Gardens camp ground. There was no sign, so it was lucky for us that there were a few other tents there already.

Where we usually camp, the fee covers six people. With five kids plus two parents, we exceed that limit, even though we all sleep in the same tent. So it was nice to find that big families pay the same as everyone else in Walhalla – nothing. That’s right, camping is free and there is a toilet block, picnic tables and running water in the campground.



We did the walk to the long tunnel mine, visited the historical cemetery and played cricket on the mountain-top playing field. But the highlight was a 4 wheel drive tour with http://www.mountaintopexperience.com that included abandoned mines, ghost towns and fording rivers. Best of all, the very reasonable price for a family covered all seven of us – another bonus for a big family.