Newry is a gateway to The Channels, a narrow, rocky gorge on the Avon River. The Channels are easy to access on foot; visitors can walk down through the gorges to the Avon River. Nearby, the short Channel Loop also descends into The Channel on the Avon River. The loop walk offers a specific option for anyone who wants to combine a circular route with a descent to the water. This lets you experience the natural side of the destination at two scales: The Channels as a gorge and a short loop walk in the surrounding area.

Gorge, slopes and water

Around Newry, the steep slopes of The Channel are covered with shade-giving casuarinas and other native vegetation. Pools and rapids in The Channel provide important habitat for aquatic life. The natural setting therefore includes not only the rocky gorge, but also the vegetation on the slopes and the aquatic habitat.

There is parking and picnic facilities at The Channels. If these are relevant to your visit, include them in your day’s plans and check the current conditions in advance. This lets you combine a visit to the landscape with a break, without having to follow a particular itinerary.

History and local culture

Newry was first established in 1868 as a gateway to The Channels. The town’s history and landscape are closely connected: access to the narrow gorge was part of the story of its founding. If you are interested in how the town developed, this provides a specific historical link to the natural area that helps shape Newry’s visitor appeal.

Local events are another possible reason to visit. Newry Hall hosts musical performances and film nights. Newry’s visitor attractions also include the local Newry Golf Club. These options add culture and golf to the landscape, without limiting a visit to a single activity.

A service is held at St Ita’s in Newry at 11:00 am on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Dates may change; check the current schedule before making the service a fixed point in your trip. This recurring event is a specific planning consideration if you would like to combine your visit with a religious occasion.

Planning your stay

For planning purposes, it helps to distinguish between a visit to the natural area and an event scheduled for a particular time. The Channels, the path down to the Avon River and the nearby loop walk are the main landscape attractions; the service takes place on specific Sundays at a set time. Music and films at Newry Hall, as well as the golf club, offer other themes for your trip. So first consider what matters most to you: the gorge and its surroundings, a specific service at St Ita’s, or a cultural or sporting event. If you plan to attend the service, arrange your travel dates around 11:00 am on the second or fourth Sunday and check the schedule. When looking for a holiday rental, you can use this focus and your travel dates as a starting point.

Discover more destinations: Heywood, Bittern, Mount Cole, Eagle Point, Yan Yean, Mount Buller, Warragul, Wattle Glen

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.