Dargo

Dargo and nearby Licola are entry points to the Alpine National Park and Avon Wilderness as well as the Mitchell River National Park. The area features first-rate four-wheel-drive touring, rafting, horse riding, bush walking and hiking. Dargo is one of Victoria’s most remote communities, nestled in the foothills before the climb to the legendary Dargo High Plains. Although a minor gold rush was experienced in the mid 1800s, it was primarily a resting place and later a supply town for miners on their way to the Grant, Talbotville and Crooked River goldfields nearby.

Dargo is known for its groves of century-old walnut trees that line the valley floor and many high country cattlemen have homes in the stockbreeding and agricultural district. Horse riding and four-wheel drive touring into the nearby state and national parks and around the old mining settlements, as well as fishing, walking, canoeing and gold panning are popular activities.

Quick facts

• Population approximately 150
• 348 kilometres east of Melbourne
• Alpine wilderness

Activities and attractions

• Dargo High Plains (Road closed in winter months)
• Horse riding
• Visit Wonnangatta Station by 4WD, once Victoria's most remote cattle station, as well as numerous historic gold mining towns of the area, including Grant and Talbotville.
• Visit historic Grant and Talbotville goldfields.

Major events

• Walnut Festival – Easter Sunday
• Annual opening of the national and state park tracks – Melbourne Cup weekend

How to get there

Dargo is 348 kilometres east of Melbourne. Heading east along the Princes Highway, Dargo Road is left off the highway between Stratford and Bairnsdale.