You don't have to fly to England or Canada to experience a quintessential "little country village".
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Just drive to Avenel, its only an hour away.
Avenel even operates like a small village, everyone friendly and thoughtful just like Three Pines in Louise Penny's novels.
There are community garden projects, walking groups, men's whisky evenings and dinners at the pub.
Little Avenal punches well above its size.
Not only does it have the loveliest five-arched stone bridge that I know of in Victoria, but also very pretty old and new homes and gardens that their owners love and tend.
Day trips: An Indigenous education
The Royal Mail Hotel, beside the bridge over Hughes Creek was used as a Cobb and Co coach house when this was the main crossing point for travellers to/from Melbourne in the mid 1800s.
Renamed the Coach House it is now a home and appears to be in hands that will honour its heritage classification.
Beside it, there is an old railway signal box that has also been made into a home.
Of course I noticed that.
Think village and your mind's eye will want to see the hotel, bank, grain store, court house, school, all sporting needs provided for including golf course, cemetery, butcher, baker and railway station.
Day Trips: Artistic adventures
They are all in Avenel, but many have been repurposed.
Most old buildings are red brick, some are timber.
You can walk around Avenel to earn your lunch, or walk it off afterwards, but I suggest starting your day by having coffee at the Daily Dose . . . ALL the locals do, and that is what we did.
The name is clever because it is the local pharmacy that doubles as a coffee shop.
It is in the old station building.
We found the walking map there.
Opposite is W. B. Gadd, established in 1873.
Today it is especially known for its wool or possum clothing and antiques.
Day Trips: Myrtleford via Milawa
There is a sister shop in Chiltern.
The name always reminds me that Charles Dickens lived on Gads Hill in Kent, England.
Avenel also has its Ned Kelly connection.
Ned earnt his green sash for bravery after rescuing another boy from drowning in Hughes Creek.
His father John "Red" Kelly is buried in the cemetery, ironically immediately across the road from the Court House.
Noticing a very tall obelisk we were surprised to read that it is was in memory of Arthur Wellesley Bayley who died in Avenel in 1896, aged 31.
It says his life "was short in years but long in deeds".
He discovered the Coolgardie Goldfields and was also a pioneer of Murchison.
We met friends for lunch at Harvest Home pub beside the railway line.
It has recently been renovated inside and out.
This has been done in perfect keeping with its location because it has not been turned into a "posh" Melbourne-style pub.
We sat in the garden under large umbrellas and smelt the roses that are in full bloom. It was perfect.
Day Trips: One thing leads to another
I recommend that you book first (5741 9121) because everyone goes from miles around.
You can also stay there, or just have coffee.
We didn't stay but if we had, we would have gone to The Bank in Bank St for dinner.
It specialises in wood-fired pizzas.
Unsurprisingly it is in the little old bank building, but its parterre-styled garden enables more people.
From memory it is only open for lunch and dinner Friday to Sunday.
Again phone first, this little gem is very popular.Opposite is a tiny butcher shop that has a HUGE customer base. No more needs to be said.
The only place that I have not mentioned is Fowles Cafe and Cellar Door, which we all know and love.
It gives no hint of the village behind it.
When you go, think about your route home.
Instead of immediately rejoining the highway take the Upton Rd towards Ruffy or old highway to Longwood where there are more historic timber buildings including the telegraph office.
We had another fabulous day trip.
- Suzie Pearce
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