2023/24 - 4 Days: Wangaratta & Historic Beechworth
A Tour to North Eastern Victoria
North-Eastern Victoria is a region of spectacular natural beauty. Amidst the High Country of the Victorian Alps - Mt Buffalo, Mt Hotham and Mt Bogong - fertile valleys are criss-crossed by streams, rivers and lakes. The scenery throughout this part of Victoria – the “High Country” as its often called, is as spectacular today as it was when early explorers Hovell and Hume made their arduous journey through this area in 1824, enroute from Sydney to Port Phillip. The base for our tour is the rural city of Wangaratta – a great place from which we will explore places like Beechworth - the one time home to 4,200 Chinese miners who re-worked the grounds of the Ovens gold fields. Of course gold attracted many different types, some of whom became notorious, such as Ned Kelly who was finally captured at Glenrowan.
Day 1: (D): To the North East (Monday)
Welcome to our 4 Day North Eastern Victoria Tour. Our touring this morning will take us to Broadford (morning tea stop) and then along the Hume Highway to Benalla, situated on the Broken River. The town is also known as the 'Rose City' and is noted for its public gardens. Soldier surgeon and war hero Edward 'Weary' Dunlop was also born here. We briefly visit the Rose Gardens where we can view his statue. Ned Kelly also spent time in Benalla! At the Costume and Pioneer Museum we can view period costumes and two permanent exhibitions. ‘The Ned Kelly Story' is housed in a portable cell in which Ned was once imprisoned on his journey to Melbourne by train. It contains memorabilia such as Ned's sash and bridle, the bloodstained silk cummerbund he was wearing when he was captured at Glenrowan, the witness box from the old Benalla courthouse and the door of the old Benalla Gaol Joe Byrne's body was tied to for photographs after the Glenrowan siege in 1880. From Benalla it's only 25km trip to Glenrowan, the heart of Kelly Country where the Kelly Gang made their last stand against the police and the town where Joe Byrne, Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and a local man Martin Cherry lost their lives. Here we see plaques around town denoting where some of the events surrounding the siege took place, including the site where the Glenrowan Inn stood before it was burned down. We stop at Kelly Land at the Glenrowan Tourist Centre to relive the events that led to the capture of the Kelly Gang. From Glenrowan we head to Wangaratta – our base for the next 3 nights. (Meal inclusions: Welcome Dinner in the motel)
Quality Gateway Wangaratta – 03 57218399 – 3 nights
Day 2: (BLD):Chiltern & Rutherglen (Tuesday)
We enjoy some free time after breakfast before heading off into the Rutherglen Wine District. First stop is at the village of Chiltern, a fascinating small town of some 1400 people, which is distinguished by its historic streetscape of well-preserved brick buildings and old-fashioned timber verandah’s. This antique appearance has drawn filmmakers on several occasions - most notably for the filming of Walt Disney's Ride a Wild Pony in 1974. We then proceed to Rutherglen for a little bit of free time. Gold was discovered in this area during the 1850s and 1860s – and vines were planted around the same time. Rutherglen has flourished since then with the town having the distinction of being the oldest wine growing region in Australia. More importantly – for those interested – there is a great pie bakery here called Parker’s Pies! Our lunch venue is at Pfeiffer Wines where we enjoy a wine tasting and a picnic hamper lunch on the century old Sunday Creek Bridge. Later we wander over to All Saints Winery. Established in 1864, this winery is one of Australia’s original wineries with impressive grounds and buildings. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Hamper Lunch)
Day 3 (BD): Beechworth & Milawa (Wednesday)
This morning we head over to Beechworth where we will be joined by our locally based guide who will show us around this imposing historical town, with many landmarks of the gold rush era still surviving. Following our tour we will have some free time to wander the shops, perhaps do some more sightseeing, and purchase lunch – maybe from the famous Beechworth Bakery! This afternoon we spend some time in the Milawa area including a visit to the Milawa Cheese Company, located in the historic Murray Goulburn Butter Factory.
We also stop at Brown Bros Winery for a tasting before returning to Wangaratta (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel)
Day 4 (BL): Heading Home (Thursday)
We farewell our hosts this morning and prepare for the drive home. At Violet Town we leave the Hume and make our way to Nagambie. Nagambie is home to legendary race horse Black Caviar, the mare that was born here in 2006 and finished her career unbeaten, winning all 25 of her races and claiming almost $8 million in prize money. In October 2013 a full-size statue of the racehorse was unveiled in Nagambie - and the town came to a stand-still. Thousands of people, some dressed in the horse's racing colours of salmon and black and gathered for the ceremony, along with trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen. After a light lunch at the Nagambie Rowing Club we make our way home to complete a sensational 4 day tour. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel/Light lunch)
Tour Price
$1,020 per person (sharing a twin or double room)
The tour price is dependent on a minimum of 40 paying customers. Should the number of bookings not reach the minimum of 40 the following prices apply –
$1,050 per person twin share (minimum 35)
$1,080 per person twin share (minimum 30)
$1,130 per person twin share (minimum 25)
$1,200 per person twin share (minimum 20)
Add $300 for a guaranteed single room
Personal Travel Insurance is strongly recommended
Tour Inclusions
Tour price includes deluxe coach touring, 3 nights accommodation, meals as indicated (B=Cooked or buffet breakfast, L= Light or packed lunch, D=2 course limited choice dinner or buffet). Other attractions and entries included as per the itinerary.
Next Steps
To arrange a tour for your club simply contact Alex Corones from Australian Road Journeys on 0488 117 682 with your preferred date of travel – he will do the rest! When everything is confirmed, ARJ will provide printed itineraries for distribution to interested club members.
Read some testimonials from past groups here.
Tour Conditions
A deposit of $350 per person is required to secure your booking. This deposit is fully refundable until 60 days prior to the day of departure. Final payment is required 45 days prior to the day of departure. Bookings cancelled within 14 days prior to the day of departure are non-refundable. No additional cancellation fees apply.
Personal Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
The Itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Australian Road Journey’s reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Australian Road Journey’s will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion. All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc.