Longwood Recreation Reserve

Longwood Recreation Reserve, located in Longwood, Victoria, is a versatile community space offering a range of facilities including free camping. It's set within a historic site that encompasses sporting facilities and parklands.

The reserve is described as a historic site featuring the Longwood Community Centre, equestrian and other sporting facilities, and a parkland area that was formerly a golf course. It also offers over 4km of walking tracks. The camping area is a community-run ground that opened in 2020, situated on a sporting field with ample space for vans, campers, or tents. It is adjacent to a creek and visitors are advised that flooding can occasionally occur on the south-west side. There is a maximum stay of 72 hours (closed on Code Red fire danger days). Donations are encouraged to help maintain and improve the reserve.

Powered Site Price: Longwood Recreation Reserve is a free camping area. Based on the available information, powered sites are not provided at this reserve. While camping is free, visitors are encouraged to make a donation at the local general store, hotel, or gem museum to support the upkeep of the reserve. It is explicitly stated that connecting to water or power is not permitted.⁶

Facilities: The Longwood Recreation Reserve offers a variety of facilities, primarily located near the community centre and sporting areas, with the camping area a short distance away. Facilities include:

• Public toilets (unisex, located close to the tennis courts)
• Potable water (not for connecting to caravans/campers)
• Fully fenced children's playground
• Shelter with table and seats near the playground
• Picnic tables
• Car parking
• Walking tracks (over 4km)
• Sports facilities including a football oval, netball courts, tennis courts, and cricket nets
• Equestrian facilities and horse corrals
• Greyhound coursing track
• Fire pits (fires only permitted in provided pits or your own drum; collecting dead wood from around the centre is allowed, but chopping down trees is not)
• Historic features and information signs
• Dam (supports birdlife)

Distance to Tourist Spots Nearby: Longwood Recreation Reserve is located within the Strathbogie Shire, offering access to various natural and historical attractions. Here are some nearby tourist spots with estimated distances:

• Longwood Township: The reserve is within walking distance of the Longwood township, which has a general store, the White Hart Hotel, and The Rockery Gemstone Museum.
• Euroa: Approximately a 15-20 minute drive away. Euroa offers attractions such as the Euroa Arboretum, Seven Creeks Park, Euroa Miniature Railway (operates on the 4th Sunday of the month except January), Euroa Farmers Arms Hotel Museum, and the Euroa Heritage Trail.
• Avenel: Also within a relatively short drive. Avenel is home to the Avenel Maze.
• Strathbogie Ranges: The reserve provides a base for exploring the natural beauty of the Strathbogie Ranges.
• Gooram Falls: Approximately a 25 km (around 24 minute) drive.
• Polly McQuinns Swimming Hole: Approximately a 29 km (around 26 minute) drive via Gooram. This is a picturesque spot on Seven Creeks.
• Mitchelton Winery: Approximately a half-hour drive, located on the Goulburn River.
• Old Longwood: The original site of Longwood, now known as Longwood East, retains some historic points of interest and offers a walking trail (Longwood East Walk). It is located on the other side of the Hume Freeway.
• Nearby Natural Attractions (within Strathbogie Shire): These include the Goulburn River system, Nagambie Lakes, unique granite rock formations, Chinaman's Bridge (historic timber bridge), Kirwans Bridge (Victoria's longest timber bridge), Majors Creek (free camping area), Goulburn Weir, and Mount Wombat lookout. Distances to these vary across the shire.

Travel times are estimates and can be affected by road conditions and specific locations within these areas.