Tucked away in a valley, on the confluence of two rivers, lies Jamieson. A quaint little town, surrounded by the untouched wilderness of the Victorian High Country. The two rivers and nearby lake Eildon provide Jamieson with a unique setting. Tree lined streets reveal remnants of Jamieson’s past as a bustling gold mining town. Historic cottages are set between deciduous trees, Jamieson’s pride and joy come autumn. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the town’s laid back vibe and natural beauty all year round. With only 382 residents, Jamieson might be tiny in size but it sure is big on charm! Read more
A world away from the everyday. Jamieson.
We had only just arrived but I felt like I was a world away from the city. Fresh mountain air and an abundance of greenery will do that to you. The last part of the drive to Jamieson was stunning. The “are we there yet?” questions stopped as the kids watched the mountains, sheep paddocks and lake Eildon go by. Jamieson is the end of the road. From there, four wheel drive tracks and winding narrow routes weave their way through thick bushland. It’s a destination, not a drive through kind of town.
Although I was tempted to sit under the big oak tree by the river for the remainder of the day, I grabbed my shoes and joined my husband and kids. We had noticed kayaks for rental at the caravan park when we were checking in so we jumped at the opportunity. There was no question that we had to get on the river and kayaks were the ideal way. I held my breath while launching into the crystal clear water of the Jamieson River but as soon as I found my balance I felt calm and at ease. The kids raced their dad while I hung back to enjoy the peace and quiet on the water. With the soft hum of dragonflies as a soundtrack I watched the untouched wilderness of the High Country as I paddled along.
Tired but excited from our kayak trip we all got showered and dressed and we piled into our car. The Brewery wasn’t far and before long I sat on the deck, watching the ripples of the lake change colour like in an impressionist painting. The late afternoon sun warmed my face as I let the bubbles from my cold Prosecco dance on my tongue. My other half sampled beers while the kids bounced around happily on the jumping pillow.
“I’ve never seen so many stars in my life” exclaimed my son whilst looking up from the serious business of roasting marshmallows. I looked at my family by the campfire, the glistening river behind them and the magnificent night sky above us and I felt high on life, and probably sugar.
We spent our morning in Jamieson slow and mindful. We took our time for a cup of tea in front of our cabin and listened to magpies holding singing competitions. There was none of the hectic breakfast routine of the day to day. No cooking of healthy porridge for the kids. No prep of packed lunches. The Café where we had our breakfast felt tranquil and welcoming. From the local policeman getting his morning brew to the group of chatty ladies drinking their well deserved juices after their yoga class, everyone was in good spirits. There was a friendly, laid back vibe, a vibe that made me want to stay in this peaceful little bubble, away from the rest of the world.
With our coffee buzz on we walked the wide, tree lined streets with no particular destination in mind. We browsed the quirky little art gallery that is housed in an Anglican Church and I chatted with the lady in there about her ceramics, the charm of living in a tiny high country town and the history of the area. Curious to learn more about the gold rush days we explored historical cottages along the heritage walk.
We drove out of town along the Woods Point Road to find more remnants of the golden days of mining. Walking along bush tracks, the smell of eucalypts and wet moss in our noses, we found trenches and mine shafts. Old trees towered above our heads. The sound of the fast flowing Goulburn River was never far away.
Never not excited by maps, treasure hunts and hiking trails, the kids planned out the rest of the day. Off we went into the bush, them walking ahead, looking for the signs that marked the Paw Prints Walk. We stopped to read the information about local wildlife, discussed the diet of possums and giggled about a wombat’s defence methods.
That afternoon I finally managed to get some time to sit in a chair by the river while the rest of the crew got in the water. It had been a while since I had been to Jamieson, I pondered. Too long to tell you the truth. How is it that we manage to put some things off for so long? I felt a sense of fulfilment now that I had finally taken my family to my favourite place. I thought to myself, the only way to make your favourite place even better is by sharing it with your loved ones.
Don’t put your next family holiday off, visit our website to book your trip!
View Jamieson's suggested itinerary here.
When visiting Jamieson, ensure you plan your Pause Stop* to rest and recharge. Find TAC’s stop locations here.
*The Pause Stop is a Transport Accident Commission (TAC) initiative in collaboration with the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) to ensure you have a save drive.
Find out more about Jamieson here.
