High Country

Winter sports aside, the High Country is probably best visited from spring to autumn unless the attraction is skiing. The winter scenery can be bleak, the weather cold and often wet, making driving unpleasant and sightseeing more so.

Autumn is a beautiful time, particularly around Bright and Myrtleford, when the leaves on the trees turn to red and gold, and the hop fields and walnut groves look their prettiest.

The Great Alpine Road runs from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale (allow 5 hours), taking you through the Alps past Mt Hotham and through rugged gorge country.

Even non-wine drinkers will enjoy a sojourn at Rutherglen. The scenery and well-preserved 19th century buildings make it simply a lovely spot, and the wineries are inviting and rewarding. Some of the world’s best fortified wines come from here (tokays and muscats) and the reds are big with some little-known varieties (Blue Imperial). To combine a tipple with classic architecture, head to the castle-like All Saints.

At the foothills of the Alps, Beechworth has to be one of the prettiest and most interesting towns in Australia. It’s been wonderfully preserved and the National Trust has classified the whole town as historically important. During the gold rush there was a population of 42 000 and there were 61 hotels.

Now there are around 3000 residents who, in their own way, have struck gold in having such a delightful place to live. Think honey-coloured granite, fine lacework, grand banks that are now restaurants, bakeries, boutiques and galleries. The special cemetery for Chinese goldminers is worth a visit and, under the Shire Offices, you can check out Ned Kelly’s cell.

Yackandandah also began as a gold town but is now a quaint village with excellent trout fishing, horse riding and bushwalking.

More Information

For more information about Victoria:

• Events And Festivals
• Accommodation
• To See And Do
• Melbourne
• Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & Mornington
• Great Ocean Road
• Goldfields
• Grampians
• The Murray
• Gippsland

Victoria Tours With Tours To Go