THE ONE LODGE

Surrounded by Wyperfeld National Park and located 20 minutes by car west of Patchewollock, the timber and stone Pine Plains Lodge is suitable for weddings, family gatherings, wildlife-watching weekends or 4WD trips, accommodating up to 23 people in seven rooms. It has a communal kitchen, two living areas, open fireplaces, barbecue areas and fire pits, an astronomical observatory, and a wrap-around veranda where you can watch the shadow play over the grassy dunes for hours on end. See pineplainslodge.com.au

THE ONE HOTEL

Sea Lake’s Royal Hotel is unrecognisable from the country pub that was struggling to survive only a few years ago. In 2018, a local investment cooperative embarked on an ambitious project aimed at once again making it the town’s social hub. The result is nothing short of amazing and it must now rank as one of Victoria’s best country pubs, offering clean and affordable accommodation, delicious meals and that welcoming, small-town atmosphere. See sealaketyrrelltours.com.au

THE ONE SHEARING SHED

Following World War Two, a shortage of building materials led to the construction of the Woomelang Shearing Shed using flattened egg tins. Now rusted and worn, the historic shed is a much-photographed landmark that has been used as target practise for shooters and is said to have hosted countless bucks’ parties over the years. See woomelang.com.au

THE ONE BAKERY

If you’re looking for a tasty vanilla slice or roast coffee, do not go past the Bakery on Broadway in Wycheproof. The brainchild of local farmers, teachers, truck drivers and community leaders, it’s housed inside the heritage-listed Shire Hall building and is one of the best bakeries in Victoria’s north-west, offering disabled access, indoor and outdoor seating and a tasty selection of breads, pastries, cakes and sandwiches. See facebook.com/bakeryonbroadway

THE ONE FENCE

When it was completed in 1885, the Dog Netting Fence stretched from Tyntynder, on the Murray River, to the South Australian border – a distance of more than 300 kilometres. It was meant to prevent wild dogs and other vermin from entering farmlands to the south, and rabbits from venturing north. Sections of the fence remain along Dog Netting Road, south of Culgoa, and alongside Lalbert Lake Road, north of Lalbert.

ONE MORE THING

Organisers of the Patchewollock Music Festival hope to revive the event in 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic caused its cancellation in October 2020. Expect similar hi-jinx to previous years in and around the Patchewollock Hotel, including headline music and dance acts, comics and storytellers, and for something different, sheep races.

See patchewollockmusicfestival.com.au

Mark Daffey travelled with assistance from Volkswagen Australia ( and Sea Lake Tyrrell Tours.