Paradise Falls is one of those places that is often overlooked by visitors to the King Valley but for those that make the effort they are well rewarded. The short walk from the car park leads you down a series of rocky steps into the ravine below that gets cooler and more welcoming as you approach the falls. Be sure to visit after recent rains as the water flow does dry up in the warmer months There are some very interesting conglomerate rock formations along the path and around the falls. If you are particularly lucky you may even see some of the resident Peregrine Falcons that nest in the cliff tops above the falls. Paradise Falls are a great destination for families but do pack a spare set of clothes as the temptation may be to get a bit wet.
If you are looking for something unique then one of the many regular Wangaratta and regional markets are a great place to begin your search. Each year residents and visitors alike can enjoy markets such as the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz Market, Oxley Bush Market, Wangaratta Swap Meet as well as those close to Wangaratta in Mansfield, Yarrawonga, Jamieson, Myrtleford, Beechworth, Peechelba, Rutherglen and Benalla. These markets include everything from clothes and popular foods through to unique handcrafts and gourmet local produce and wines. These markets are a great opportunity to stock up the pantry with all your favourites from one convenient location and in many cases by dealing with the producer direct.
Wangaratta and the surrounding rural communities offer a year full of festivals, celebrations and events that attract people from across the country and in some cases from around the world. Events such as the annual Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Swap Meet are all centrally located, and across the region there are wine and food events which are hugely popular. Wangaratta also offers an excellent selection of accommodations from which to explore and enjoy some of the many events that are held in nearby communities such as Beechworth, Myrtleford, Bright, Rutherglen and Yarrawonga. Wangaratta is also host to regular markets, youth events, senior citizen events and sporting competitions including Australian Rules Football, netball, squash and swimming.
There is a good selection of Wangaratta accommodation available to suit all budgets and needs. Offered within central Wangaratta as well as the surrounding communities travelers will find and excellent variety of motels, hotels, pubs, caravan parks, cottages and guest houses specifically catering for both short and longer stay temporary accommodation. There is plenty of accommodation in the heart of Wangaratta plus the nearby regions of the King Valley, Glenrowan, Milawa, Eldorado and many other also have some excellent accommodation choices. Furthermore, with the region hosting a large number of annual festivals, celebrations and events, accommodation can be scarce. For that reason if you require Wangaratta accommodation be sure to book early.
The King Valley is a wonderful area which is easily reached from Wangaratta. The King Valley is famous for its excellent wineries and a variety of natural attractions. Whitfield is the hub of many of the King Valleys attractions with Paradise Falls, Lake William Hovell and Powers Lookout all within easy reach and each is certainly worth the drive.
The Warby Ranges is only a 10km drive from central Wangaratta and is officially known as the Warby-Ovens National Park. It offers a variety of spots for family picnics and natural experiences such as Ryan’s Lookout, Briens Gorge Falls, The Forest Camp and Pine Gully. Fishing, Camping, Walking, Bike Riding and Gem Prospecting is also available in some areas.
One of the great things about Wangaratta is its central location to a number of regional attractions. Whether you are planning on visiting the natural wonders around the Warby Ranges or wineries of the King Valley and Rutherglen Wangaratta is a convenient location. If you are travelling to the snowfields then Bright is a comfortable drive and for a taste of history Glenrowan and Beechworth are close by. Wangaratta’s own Performing Arts Centre hosts regular shows. There are also a number of annual, seasonal and special attractions across the region that attract large numbers of visitors to the region each year. If you are planning on visiting during the holiday season be sure to book your accommodation early as rooms do fill up.
William Pitt Faithfull was born on 11 October 1806 at Richmond, New South Wales, the eldest son of William Faithful and his wife Susannah (née Pitt). At 15 years of age he joined the Sydney merchant office of his uncle, Robert Jenkins. Following the death of his uncle he worked for five years as an overseer on his aunts, Mrs Jemima Jenkins, property.
Faithfull did not take up his option for a grant of 320 acres (130 ha) and in 1827 applied for land with acreage more appropriate to his means. The land board assessed his capital at £2232 and in October he was granted 1280 acres (518 ha) on the Goulburn plains. Originally Cooranganennoe, the property became known as Springfield. Faithfull consolidated his assets and in 1835-37 acquired land on the Mulwaree Chain of Ponds.
In 1838 with his brother George he overlanded sheep and cattle to Port Phillip. Although attacked by Aboriginals, George founded Wangaratta station on theOvensRiver, a district where he bred and grazed sheep with his brother in 1846-48. Faithfull founded the Springfield stud in 1838 with ten rams from Sir William Macarthur's Camden Park flock and was one of the earliest pastoralists to recognize the importance of selective breeding, he improved his flock by buying ten rams a year from such noted studs as those of George Cox of Burrundulla, N. P. Bayley of Havilah and Edward Cox of Rawden.
By 1854 Faithfull held Brewarrina, 32,000 acres (12,950 ha) in the Murrumbidgee district. In 1871 his son Augustus Lucian took over the management of the stud and concentrated on breeding a pure flock of high class, stronger, heavier-woolled merinos mostly from Tasmanian rams. Faithfull became a justice of the peace in 1836 and returning officer for Argyle and warden of the Goulburn District Council in 1843. In 1846-48 he was an elected member of the Legislative Council for Argyle and after responsible government served in the Legislative Council from 13 May 1856 until May 1861 when he joined Sir William Burton in resigning in protest against an attempt by the governor to swamp the council in order to pass the land bill.
On 20 January 1844 in Sydney Faithfull married Mary, daughter of Thomas Deane ofDevonshire. Springfield House was built in the early 1840s, and by 1858 its garden was well known for its 'English flowers of every shade in perfection'. His wife got roots and seeds fromEnglandevery year. The stone woolshed, built in the late 1840s, was one of the earliest in the colony. Faithfull died at Springfield on 24 April 1896 and was buried there by the Anglican bishop of Goulburn.