Yarrawonga road trip

Zip up the Hume Freeway and detour into the lush Goulburn Valley wine region, exiting at Avenel. Nominate your designated driver and head for Fowles Wine at the foot of the Strathbogie Ranges. Award-winning wines await at the cellar door, and everyone can relax over a lunch of local produce.

Wind your way along the Avenel–Nagambie Road to Nagambie Brewery and Distillery for local craft beer and wood-fired pizza overlooking Lake Nagambie. Sip red wine varietals and Marsanne at historic Tahbilk, or make time for exceptional dining and cellar-door explorations at Mitchelton Estate. Pick up a bottle for your home cellar, too.

Wake in Yarrawonga, joined across the Murray River to twin town Mulwala. Explore wetlands and wildlife among river red gums on a sunrise walk or cycle along the Lake Mulwala foreshore – head to Chinamans Island Reserve or take the track downstream to Chinamans Bend in the Yarrawonga Regional Park.

Set up at Belle’s Cafe, The Publican’s Daughter or Hard Luck Cafe for coffee, brekkie, brunch or lunch. Then make the most of the facilities at lakeside Sebel Yarrawonga, where you can tee off on a championship golf course. Putted out? Store the clubs and relax at the day spa or over a gourmet meal with lake views.

Kit yourself out at Yarrawonga’s boutiques: wetsuits and wakeboards at Skin, Ski and Surf; intimates at Satin and Stones; and designer threads from Floral Harvest and Mint Boutique. Pick up a floral bouquet at Blooms of Yarrawonga and step out for Italian at Lussino’s, or burgers, steak and cocktails at The Naked Tree.

Head into Victoria’s High Country to explore historic Beechworth. Stroll among gorgeous gold-rush architecture, then visit the iconic red-brick Billson’s Brewery, one of Australia’s oldest breweries. Take a tour and sample refreshing small-batch natural cordials and sodas, craft beer and spirits.

Time for lunch? Gather in the beer garden at Bridge Road Brewers for knock-out pizza topped with local flavours and a choice of more than 20 beers on tap.

Rejuvenate this afternoon with a massage and treatment at the Spa Beechworth, step back in time at the Beechworth Gaol, or stretch your legs at Woolshed Falls. Don’t leave town without some local honey and a beeswax candle from the Beechworth Honey Shop.

Stay on for a dinner worthy of two chef’s hats at Provenance. Owner-chef Michael Ryan serves an exceptional Japanese-influenced degustation menu, memorably matched by regional wines.

Strike liquid gold in the renowned Rutherglen wine region, just 35 minutes from Yarrawonga. Spend the day sampling world-famous Tokay and Muscat at historic cellar doors run by generations of family winemakers. We recommend outstanding fortified wines at Campbells and Morris Wines, and modern, small-batch dry-climate varietals at Scion Wines.

Discover equally noteworthy local produce with a laid-back lunch or platter at The Pickled Sisters Cafe, or a fine dining experience at All Saints' in-house restaurant, Bonnie, or the French-inspired Jones Winery. Afterwards, get peddling on a relaxing DIY cycle tour around the village.

Time to explore the local delights around Yarrawonga. Rich Glen Olive Grove has closed their farm gate for now, but you can still grab all their olive-based products at their two stores in Yarrawonga – the Provedore has got your sorted for boutique oils and snacks, while the Orangerie features Rich Glen's range of olive-based skincare products.

Explore an entirely different kind of garden at Cactus Country among more than 4000 species of cacti and succulent. There’s plenty of family fun here among the prickly residents and numerous striking photographs to be taken. Make it a Tex-Mex break with nachos, cactus cake and cactus ice cream.

Spend the rest of the day kicking back in picturesque Yarrawonga Mulwala. Get out on the lake for some water sports or simply relax as the sun sets serenely over the water.