Welcome to Winton & Victoria's High Country
Just three hour’s north of Melbourne, the High Country is known for its diverse nature offerings – everything from epic hikes, to cycling trails to sprawling scenery and snow-capped mountains.
The region’s stunning mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes are perfect backdrop for adventure and relaxation, year-round. The High Country boasts seven wine regions, an abundance of craft breweries, bustling foodie villages and cultural centres like Benalla, which is covered in street art.
Make sure to visit the King Valley wine region, where Australia’s first prosecco vines were planted, and is now home to several charming cellar doors.
Plan your trip at visitvictoria.com
Explore Benalla
Just 10 minutes from Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla is the home to the Wall to Wall Street Art Festival and the starting point for the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail.Enjoy the art-filled town taking in the exceptional art at the Benalla Regional Art Gallery full of internationally renowned artworks and the many bakeries. Explore the waterways and myriad of birdlife in nearby Winton Wetlands and get a fresh perspective on a glider flight at the local flying school.
Eat and drink
Benalla has an abundance of cafes, bakeries, restaurants, pubs and local wineries with country charm.
Rustik Cafe & Foodstore: Open daily from 7am-4pm, Rustik Cafe & Foodstore have set a mission to only work with and sell good, wholesome foods; and their range of gourmet delights is growing daily.
The Northo - North Eastern Hotel: The locals choice for a Sunday Roast, set just off the main street the Northo offers a country pub experience.
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Street art is the catch-cry in Benalla, which is home to the Wall to Wall Street Art Festival. Check out the huge murals lining buildings across town, created by some of the country's biggest names. For public art of a different kind, view the Ceramic Mural near the river, inspired by the surrealist works of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi.
Reserve plenty of time to explore the lakeside Benalla Regional Art Gallery: internationally recognised for its excellent historic and contemporary Australian art collection. See fine artworks including a tapestry of Sidney Nolan's Glenrowan, depicting the capture of bushranger Ned Kelly, and Albert Tucker's painting of Kelly Gang member Joe Byrne.
Benalla is also the starting point for the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail. This route travels through the small towns of Goorambat, Devenish, St James and Tungamah, which all feature silo art, and takes around two hours to drive. It finishes with the CFA Water Tank in the Winton Wetlands, painted by street artist Guido van Helten.
For more information on what to do in Benalla and plan your trip, go to: visitvictoria.com
Head a little further to the King Valley
If you’re a wine enthusiast, extend your stay and explore Victoria’s Prosecco Road in the King Valley.
The first prosecco vines in Australia were planted in the King Valley by Otto Dal Zotto, and now the region is home to several Italian families who produce a range of Italian varietals such as prosecco and sangiovese.
Make sure to book in for an Italian meal at Chrismont, accompanied by a stunning view, or start the morning early with hot air balloon flight from Brown Brothers.
For more information on what to do in the King Valley and to plan you trip, go to: visitvictoria.com
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