YOU never know what you might find if you head out off the beaten track.

Whether you decide to explore somewhere in your own backyard that you haven't been before, or you take a track to an old favourite spot, there's bound to be something new for you to find.

The North East, High Country and Goulburn Murray regions have plenty of towns for those who want to keep to a 'city–like' getaway but if adventuring along quiet cycling trails or walking paths takes your fancy you may find the locals are a little different to what you were expecting.

These bears are part of their own little 'township' along one section of the rail trail in Rutherglen behind the Vidal Cellars ruins and you will find bears taking tea, fishing, watching the bikes and walkers go by and on the lookout for elves.

If you time your visit just right, you might even be able to enjoy some of the wild apples or pear which are growing either side of the trail – but don't take the ones belonging to the bears themselves, you don't want to end up like Goldilocks and become a meal!