North East Victoria Day Trips: Our Favourite Things to See and Do
Rutherglen sits at the heart of one of the most diverse and beautiful regions in Victoria. Within an hour in any direction you will find cascading waterfalls, historic goldfields, wild wetlands, charming country towns and some of the best food and produce in the state. Spring is the perfect season to explore it all: the days are warm, the landscape is green and the roads are quiet.
This guide was written by the S&K team and friends who live and work here. These are the places we actually go, the spots we recommend to visitors and the experiences we think are worth making time for. We hope you find something worth adding to your next visit.
In Rutherglen
The Big Wine Bottle
Location: 45 Campbell Street, Rutherglen
Distance from cellar door: 0 minutes
Time needed: 30 minutes
One of the most iconic landmarks in Rutherglen and a great starting point for any visit. The Wine Bottle is worth stopping for the views, though many visitors find the story behind the 1900-built structure just as interesting. It was not always a wine bottle.
Local tip: Grab a coffee and a doughnut from Caffeine Machine on your way past and enjoy them on your morning stroll.
Lake Moodemere
Location: Moodemere Road, Rutherglen
Distance from cellar door: 10 minutes
Time needed: 2 hours or more
A beautiful spot in any season, but spring makes it something else entirely. The red gums are full of birdlife, the walking track around the 12-kilometre billabong is alive with wildflowers, and the whole area feels genuinely unhurried. An offshoot of the mighty Murray River, Lake Moodemere has rich Indigenous history and some of the best birdwatching in the region. Dog friendly on leash.
Local tip: BYO jetski, tinnie, canoe, stand-up paddleboard or fishing rod to get the most out of this beautiful location.
grace.
Location: 84 Main Street, Rutherglen
Distance from cellar door: 0 minutes
Time needed: 1 to 3 hours
A small bar and eatery set within a charming heritage building on Rutherglen’s historic Main Street. Incredible food, a cracking wine list that champions local producers, and cocktails that are worth the trip on their own. In spring, the backyard comes into its own as one of the best outdoor dining spots in the region.
Local tip: Open Friday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, and Monday for dinner only. The Violet Sour is a must.
Corowa and Wahgunyah
Rail Trail Adventures
Location: Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, Rutherglen
Distance from cellar door: 0 minutes
Time needed: 1 to 3 hours
Hire a bike from the Rutherglen Information Centre and ride out along the Rail Trail past century-old vines toward Wahgunyah. Nine kilometres one way, 18 return. In spring the vines along the route are pushing new green growth and the scenery is at its most photogenic. A great option for families, dogs and anyone who wants a gentle way to see the wine region from the outside.
Local tip: Don’t forget your swimmers. A refreshing dip in the Murray at Wahgunyah on the way back is well earned.
Best Fish and Chips in the Region
Location: The River Fish & Chip Co., Corowa
Distance from cellar door: 10 minutes
Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes
Everything is cooked fresh, the salads are amazing and the location on the Murray is hard to beat on a warm spring afternoon. Simple, honest and exactly what you want after a morning on the rail trail or the lake.
Local tip: Walk down to the Mass Tree or across the John Foord bridge and eat at one of the picnic tables right on the river.
Chiltern
Arty Farty: Chiltern Main Street
Location: Conness Street, Chiltern
Distance from cellar door: 15 minutes
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Chiltern is one of those towns that rewards a slow wander. The main drag is lined with quirky shops, artist studios and heritage buildings that have barely changed in a century. The shop owners are always up for a chat and there is often a community market running on Sundays in spring. A genuinely lovely way to spend a morning.
Local tip: Make time to visit the working studios of Chiltern artists Kirrily Anderson and Lisa Bishop. Their work is extraordinary.
Mt Pilot Lookout Walk
Location: Mt Pilot National Park
Distance from cellar door: 30 minutes
Time needed: 1 hour
Park at the trail car park and walk to the summit of Mount Pilot for a 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside. On a clear spring day, Mount Buffalo is easily recognisable on the southern horizon and the wildflowers on the trail are worth the climb alone. At the base of the mountain, the Yeddonba Aboriginal Cultural Site has information boards and a walking circuit that takes about an hour to complete.
Local tip: If you can manage an early start, a sunrise climb is one of the great free experiences in the region. Bring a torch as the ground can be uneven in low light.
Yarrawonga
Yarrawonga Foreshore
Location: Yarrawonga
Distance from cellar door: 35 minutes
Time needed: 2 hours or more
The Yarrawonga Foreshore is a brilliant spring destination: waterslide and splash park, children’s playground, BBQ areas, grassy banks along the lake and community markets most Sundays. The lake itself is stunning in spring when the surrounding landscape is green and the water is warming up. A great spot for families or for anyone who just wants to sit by the water for a few hours.
Local tip: Walk the main street for great places to eat, drink and shop. The Sunday markets are well worth timing your visit around.
Yackandandah
Yackity Yack: Gorge Walk
Location: Yackandandah Gorge Walk
Distance from cellar door: 40 minutes
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
A scenic walk following Yackandandah Creek through to the Gorge, with plenty of shallow pools for swimming and paddle spots along the way. It is an easy, sheltered walk that is dog friendly and particularly beautiful in spring when the creek is full and the bush is at its greenest. Once you are done, the main street has excellent cafes, a bakery, pubs and boutique shops worth exploring.
Local tip: Pack your binoculars. Keep an eye out for the Gang Gang Cockatoo, the Regent Honeyeater and the Swift Parrot, all of which have been spotted in the area.
Karr’s Reef Goldmine Tour
Location: 34 High Street, Yackandandah
Distance from cellar door: 40 minutes
Time needed: 2 hours or more
A fully guided 4WD tour through the centre of gold history in Yackandandah, following Commissioner’s Creek from where gold was first discovered to a stream that still has alluvial gold in it today. One of the more unexpected and memorable experiences in the region and something genuinely different from a cellar door day.
Local tip: The walk through tunnels to the tectonic plate and quartz gold stream is the highlight. Not to be missed.
Gumtree Pies
Location: 11 High Street, Yackandandah
Distance from cellar door: 40 minutes
Time needed: 30 minutes
Some of the best pies in the region and the coffee is not bad either. Go before or during the lunch rush or the best flavours will be gone. The Lamb and Mint Jelly and the Beef and Red Wine are the picks.
Local tip: The best pie flavours sell out early. Get there before noon.
Beechworth
Woolshed Falls
Location: McFeeters Road, Beechworth
Distance from cellar door: 50 minutes
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
A ten-minute drive north of Beechworth brings you to the Woolshed Falls, where you can view the cascading falls, enjoy a picnic on the grass or take a self-guided walk through the alluvial gold workings. Spring is one of the best times to visit as the falls are running well after winter rainfall and the surrounding bush is lush and green.
Local tip: If walking is not your thing, the observation deck gives great views to the falls and valley below.
Lake Sambell
Location: Kraus Lane, Beechworth
Distance from cellar door: 40 minutes
Time needed: 2 hours or more
Bring a picnic, take a swim out to the pontoon, or walk the path around the lake with the dog. Lake Sambell is one of those easy, beautiful spots that is genuinely hard to leave. The adventure playground on the lake’s edge makes it a great family option and the free BBQ facilities are handy if you want to make a day of it. Dog friendly on leash.
Local tip: Pack the kayak if you want to make the most of the lake.
Asylum Ghost Tours
Location: 22 Kurrajong Way, Beechworth
Distance from cellar door: 40 minutes
Time needed: 2 hours or more
By day, a fascinating history tour of the former Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum. By night, a guided ghost tour through the dark and reportedly haunted buildings of one of Victoria’s most storied heritage sites. There is also the option to take part in a two or three-hour paranormal investigation for those who want to go further.
Local tip: Pack an extra layer. The buildings are cold even in spring, and apparently the atmosphere gets considerably more intense after dark.
Eurobin
Red Stag Deer and Emu Farm
Location: 324 Hughes Lane, Eurobin
Distance from cellar door: 1 hour
Time needed: 2 to 4 hours
On the road toward Bright, the Red Stag Deer and Emu Farm is a genuinely fun stop for families and anyone who wants something a little different from a standard High Country day trip. Feed and interact with deer, emus and ostriches, then stay for lunch at the à la carte restaurant which features venison, kangaroo and emu on the menu alongside spectacular views of snow-capped Mt Feathertop. Devonshire teas with enormous scones are also an option for the less adventurous.
Local tip: The kitchen is closed Monday and Tuesday for lunch. Coffees and animal feeding are still available those days.
Stanley
High Grove Berry and Cherry Farm
Location: High Grove Berry & Cherry Farm, Stanley
Distance from cellar door: 50 minutes
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
Pick your own raspberries, blackberries, cherries and mulberries straight from the tree. BYO buckets or grab them from the kiosk on arrival. A brilliant summer and early autumn activity, and a lovely way to spend a morning in the orchard before heading to Stanley Pub for lunch.
Local tip: Call ahead to confirm it is berry picking season before you go. Sunhats and sunscreen are essential.
Stanley Pub
Location: 6 Stanley-Myrtleford Road, Stanley
Distance from cellar door: 50 minutes
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Established in 1854, this iconic pub recently reopened after extensive renovations with a fresh new look and an Asian-inspired menu that is well worth the drive. After a big day of berry picking or adventuring in Beechworth, a first-class pub meal here is the right way to finish.
Local tip: The Balinese rubbed pork belly is the one to order.
Full Day Trips
Winton Wetlands
Location: 652 Lake Mokoan Road, Winton North
Distance from cellar door: 1 hour
Time needed: 2 to 4 hours
Nine walking trails and 12 kilometres of cycle trails access 33 different wetland areas, showcasing Indigenous sculptures, captivating birdlife, a flying fox bush playground for the kids and one of the most impressive environmental restoration projects in Australia. The on-site Mokoan Hub and Cafe is a great way to finish the visit.
Local tip: Drive back to Rutherglen via Glenrowan and stop at the Ned Kelly Museum and historic shops on the way.
Northeast Victoria Silo Art Trail
Location: Tungamah, St James, Devenish, Goorambat and Benalla
Distance from cellar door: 1 hour or more
Time needed: Full day
Follow the trail linking the small towns of Goorambat, Devenish, Tungamah and St James, each with enormous silo murals by local and Melbourne street artists including Guido Van Helten, Sobrane, Cam Scale, Adnate and Tim Bowtell. A genuinely surprising and moving day out that most people who do it want to repeat.
Local tip: Stop for a bite at Rustik Cafe and Food Store in Benella. Open 7am to 3pm with excellent gluten free and vegan options.
A Spot of Golf
Location: Yarrawonga, Corowa, Howlong and Rutherglen
Distance from cellar door: Up to 1 hour
Time needed: Full day
North East Victoria and the Riverina are home to some beautiful golf courses. Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort and Yarrawonga Black Bull Golf Club are the picks of the region, with Corowa Golf Club, Howlong Golf Club and Rutherglen Golf Club all worth a round if you have the time.
Local tip: If you are playing Yarrawonga, stop at RichGlen Provedore and Orangerie on the way for regional produce, picnic provisions or gifts to take home.
Make Rutherglen Your Base
Everything in this guide is within an hour of the Stanton & Killeen cellar door, making Rutherglen the perfect base for a week or more of exploring North East Victoria. Come for the wine, stay for everything else.
Stanton & Killeen is open seven days a week at 440 Jacks Road, Rutherglen. For visitor information on the broader region, head to explorerutherglen.com.au.
