New visitor centre for Bridgewater

Published on 23 June 2026

Loddon Shire’s offering to visitors is set to take a major step forward with the development of a new Visitor Information Centre at Bridgewater.

Council has approved the centre on an existing property it owns on Main Street.

The decision will see the existing Visitor Information Centre in the shire, in Wedderburn, become a satellite of the Bridgewater centre, but it will also be enhanced.

At Bridgewater, the centre will also showcase and sell products from Loddon Shire’s food, beverage and creative industries, with Council entering partnership agreements with local businesses who have indicated interest in doing so.

Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub said the value of visitors to the local economy was important.

“Visitors spent $38 million in Loddon Shire in 2025 and that was across several sectors of the economy such as accommodation and food services, transport, retail, agriculture, arts and recreation services,” he said.

“Many of these visitors enter Loddon Shire from the east and it simply makes sense for there to be a convenient place for them to seek and get information.

“Bridgewater is the ideal location as it is the gateway town from that direction, while Wedderburn will continue to serve those that arrive from the west.

“We also have a network of ‘Welcome Shops’ in other towns so visitors can get information nearby no matter where they are.

“The visitor economy is important to us as we also have about 100 local jobs dependent on tourism.”

Council will undertake a review of the centre after three years to consider its ongoing operation.