TRAVELS WITH KINGDEANO ADVENTURES
When you mention Rochester, Vic, most people immediately think of its spectacular GrainCorp Silo Art. But during our travels, we’ ve discovered there is much more to this charming country town than its impressive painted silos.
One of Rochester’ s best-kept secrets for travellers is its free selfcontained vehicle camping area, conveniently located directly across the road from the famous silo. We pulled up to a lush, green patch of grass alongside a few fellow travellers, with the railway tracks running nearby. Stays of up to 48 hours are permitted, and flushing toilets are available 24 hours a day at Rotary Park, just across the tracks. For those wanting more comforts, Rochester Caravan and Camping Park offers cabins, powered sites and pet-friendly accommodation across the river.
After settling in, we were ready for lunch. With three pubs to choose from, we settled on Hotel Rochester, where we enjoyed a parmigiana and beer in the outdoor seating area. It was a relaxed spot to enjoy a meal and catch some sun, especially when travelling with our four-legged companion.
With lunch behind us, we headed to Opperman Gardens to stretch our legs. Here, you ' ll find a statue honouring Sir Hubert‘ Oppy ' Opperman( 1904-1996), the legendary Australian endurance cyclist who later became a politician and diplomat.
The gardens also showcase colourful artworks from Rochester’ s annual Mural Festival. Each year, artists spend a week creating murals measuring 2x4.8m. The completed works and previous winning entries can be admired throughout the year.
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