Dooen Rest Area – Wimmera Highway Stop near Horsham
The Dooen Rest Area is a functional and straightforward roadside stop located on the Wimmera Highway, just a few kilometres north of the major regional city of Horsham. This facility serves as an essential break point for travellers, truck drivers, and locals navigating this key transport route. Its primary function is to provide a safe place to pull over and access public toilets. The rest area is a simple, unsealed bay set off the main highway, offering enough space for cars, caravans, and several large trucks to park simultaneously. It’s a no-frills location, designed purely for short-term stops to combat driver fatigue or for a quick comfort break before continuing on to destinations like Mildura or Adelaide.
There are no picnic tables, BBQ facilities, or potable water, so visitors should plan to be self-sufficient with their own food and drinks. Camping is not permitted, and the area is intended for day use only. The main advantage of the Dooen Rest Area is its convenience. Being so close to Horsham means that all major services—including petrol stations, supermarkets, cafes, and mechanical repairs—are just a five-minute drive away. This makes it an ideal spot to pause and plan your entry into town or to take one last break after refuelling and resupplying. While it won’t feature on any tourist itineraries, its practical value for ensuring a safe and comfortable journey through the Wimmera cannot be understated.
Site Information
- Name: Dooen Rest Area
- Address: Wimmera Hwy, Dooen VIC 3401, Australia
- GPS Coordinates: -36.682394, 142.235024
- Website: Not available
Rest Area Details
- Location: On the Wimmera Highway (B200), approximately 5 km north of Horsham.
- Site Suitable For: Short-term stops for all vehicle sizes, including trucks and caravans.
- Road Access: Sealed highway.
- Site Surface: Gravel and dirt.
- Camping Permitted: No, this is a day-use rest area only.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Not permitted.
- Potable Water: Not available.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all major carriers due to proximity to Horsham.
- TV Reception: Good.
- Onsite Public Toilets: No.
- Rubbish Bins: No.
- Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
- Generator Use: Not applicable (day-use).
- Number of Sites Available: Large unmarked gravel area for 15+ vehicles.
- Essentials to Bring: Your own drinking water and food.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, pets must be on a leash.
- Fishing: Not applicable.
- Short Walks: Not applicable.
Local Amenities & Attractions
- Local Pubs:
- Exchange Hotel, Horsham: Approx. 6 km
- Commercial Hotel, Horsham: Approx. 6 km
- Victoria on the Park, Horsham: Approx. 7 km
- Places to Eat:
- A wide range of cafes, bakeries, fast food, and restaurants are available in Horsham: Approx. 5-7 km
- Local Attractions:
- Horsham Botanic Gardens: Approx. 6 km
- Horsham Regional Art Gallery: Approx. 6 km
- Wimmera River, Horsham: Approx. 6 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Horsham Riverside Caravan Park: Approx. 6 km
- Wimmera Lakes Caravan Resort: Approx. 8 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Green Lake Regional Park: Approx. 15 km
- Burnt Creek Rest Area (Western Hwy): Approx. 25 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Horsham Showgrounds Public Dump Point: Approx. 7 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Multiple major service stations located at the northern edge of Horsham: Approx. 5 km
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available at information centres or service stations in Horsham.
- Public Toilets (offsite):
- Multiple locations throughout Horsham town centre.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Very hot and dry. Temperatures regularly reach over 35°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Pleasant and mild with warm days and cooler evenings, ideal for travel. Temperatures average 10°C to 25°C.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold, especially overnight with common frosts. Days are often crisp and cool. Average temperatures range from 4°C to 15°C.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild and generally sunny. A beautiful time to see the region’s canola fields and wildflowers. Temperatures average 8°C to 22°C.