Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Visit Victoria.
Crisp mountain air and a bountiful food scene await you in the High Country.
There’s something exhilarating about rising before dawn and leaving the city to arrive in a new setting before breakfast.
If you’re thinking about doing just that, then Beechworth is a particularly good-looking destination to point the car towards. With its preserved gold-rush-era architecture set among the undulating landscape of the north-east, it’s a beautiful spot with plenty to keep you occupied for a weekend or more.
The autumn scenery is peaceful and majestic. In winter, nearby Mount Buffalo is blanketed with snow. There’s a great cycling culture here – both slow and leisurely – the old rail tracks have been converted to bike trails, so you can coast between wineries and restaurants. There are also steeper climbs for the altitude-minded adventurer.
Provenance, a highly awarded restaurant inside a grand former bank built in 1856, is a draw in itself. But the region is home to an array of worthy food experiences. The fertile soil and cool climate mean the area is rich with vineyards and farms. Stanley is renowned for its chestnuts and apples, while Beechworth counts many cellar doors (and a great brewery) among its charms. Between the numerous roadside farm gates and the provedores, you’ll return to the city with a sizeable bounty.
Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Visit Victoria.
Learn more about partner content on Broadsheet.Welcome to High Country
EAT
From a pub meal, to a vegetarian degustation, the High Country matches locally grown produce with with French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese influences.
DRINK
A dozen cellar doors are just the tip of the cool-climate wine trade around Beechworth. Small-scale vineyards are championed on the menus of local restaurants and bars, too. There are also clever folk brewing beer and roasting coffee, too.
DO
Cycle between farm gates and cellar doors, or take to the hills on foot to explore the natural terrain of this mountainous pocket. Reward your efforts with a spa treatment, or curl up in front of an open fire.
STAY
From an eco-lodge in a lush garden, to a charming heritage cottage, it's easy to hibernate near a fireplace, while wearing a fluffy robe, in the High Country.
Itinerary
A cosy overnight stay in High Country
The cooler months are for catching our breath and curling up by a fire. Here’s a plan for a slower-paced weekend of restorative lounging and excellent local food and wine.
Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Visit Victoria.
