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Motorhome Road Trip - Victoria's High Country
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Motorhome Road Trip - Victoria's High Country
On this road trip in our Motorhome around Victoria's High Country, we explored heritage towns, gourmet regions, gold-rush towns and stayed at some wonderful campgrounds. We visited Milawa, Myrtleford, Porepunkah, Bright, Harrietville, Beechworth, Rutherglen, Glenrowan, and Benalla.
With stunning mountain views, wineries, gourmet producers and interesting heritage towns, this region is made for slow travel. We camped beside beautiful rivers, cooked fresh local produce, and woke to crisp alpine mornings surrounded by gum trees. Victoria’s High Country offers the perfect balance of food, history, nature and relaxation.
The Start of our Road Trip in Milawa
We started our journey in Milawa, about 257 kilometres from Melbourne, in one of Victoria’s most well-known gourmet regions. Our first stop was Milawa Bread and Kitchen, and the smell of fresh bread and pastries instantly set the tone. We enjoyed great coffee and delicious fresh croissants before wandering next door to the Milawa Cheese Company.
The Milawa Cheese Company is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. We enjoyed tasting a range of handcrafted cheeses made from local milk and created using traditional techniques. It is also a great place to stock up on local produce, with a huge range of cheese, jams, condiments, and cured meats. Just down the road, we visited Milawa Mustards, housed in a charming old butcher’s shop. Here we tasted a great range of mustards, chutneys, and jams, which are all made on site.
Brown Brothers RV Park
We stayed across the road from Brown Brothers Winery at their RV Park. It’s a free camping area for fully self-contained motorhomes and caravans, set on a large flat grassed area. There are no facilities, so you do need to be self-contained, but the location makes up for it. You can literally walk across the road to the cellar door. Brown Brothers Cellar Door is open daily, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and offers tastings of more than 60 wines. There’s also a restaurant serving a daily grazing menu and beautiful gardens to wander through.
That afternoon, we put together a cheese platter with our Milawa purchases, opened a bottle of Brown Brothers Merlot, and enjoyed a relaxed evening at camp.
Myrtleford ~ Valley Views & Mosaic Trails
The next day, we drove around 36 kilometres to Myrtleford, a charming town in the Ovens Valley at the foothills of Mount Buffalo. Myrtleford has a relaxed country feel. The town centre has cafés, bakeries, hotels and interesting shops to browse. In Jubilee Park, we saw colourful mosaic artwork and a display celebrating the town’s tobacco-growing history — something that shaped this region in the mid-1900s.
We stopped at Café Fez for coffee and baklava, then wandered through Red Ramia Trading, a large emporium filled with pottery, furniture, rugs and all sorts of artisan pieces. It’s one of those places you could easily spend an hour just looking around.
At Rotary Park, we visited the Historic Log Tobacco Kiln replica and read about the importance of the tobacco industry to the valley. From there, we crossed the swinging bridge and followed part of the Mosaic Trail along the Ovens River. It was such a peaceful walk, spotting mosaic installations along the way and enjoying the riverside setting. We also admired the beautifully carved Phoenix Tree sculpture, symbolising renewal.
We then drove about 20 kilometres south of Myrtleford to Lake Buffalo, a popular recreation area on the Buffalo River. The lake is ideal for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and relaxing by the water, with picnic areas, BBQs, and toilets available.
After wandering around Lake Buffalo, we drove 9 kilometres to Nug Nug Reserve.
Camping at Nug Nug Reserve
We stayed at Nug Nug Reserve, a relaxed and affordable bush campground surrounded by trees and open grassy areas. It has powered and unpowered sites, flushing toilets, cold showers, water taps and a dump point. Nug Nug Creek runs through the reserve, and it’s dog-friendly too. It’s a great option for motorhomes and caravans, and it's a lovely, relaxing campground.
Great Stops Between Myrtleford and Bright
From Myrtleford, we drove approximately 35 kilometres to Bright, with a couple of stops along the way. The first stop was Pepo Farms, about 6 kilometres from Myrtleford. Pepo Farms is Australia’s only pumpkin seed grower. We tasted a range of pumpkin seed products, oils, flours, and locally made treats. It’s a great place to stock up on some local products.
Next stop was the Red Stag Deer and Emu Farm, about 13 kilometres from Pepo Farms. This 70-acre property is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and has stunning views in every direction. We enjoyed a delicious Devonshire tea at the on-site restaurant, relaxing on the balcony while soaking up the scenery. Afterwards, we wandered around the grounds watching the deer, emus, ostriches, and other farm animals.
We also stopped in Porepunkah, a charming little village located at the junction of the Buckland and Ovens Rivers. We enjoyed wandering around the village centre and Ovens River and seeing the Colour Bridge. The Colour Bridge was designed by Skunkcontrol and is a vibrant installation that features a playful walkway of colourful flowers and butterflies. It’s especially magical on a sunny day when the light shines through the artwork.
Tasman Holiday Park South Bright
We stayed at the Tasman Holiday Park in South Bright, a small caravan park with powered sites, clean amenities, laundry, a camp kitchen, a swimming pool, and an on-site coffee caravan. It is also within walking distance of the Bright Town Centre.
Exploring Bright & the Ovens River
Bright is a vibrant alpine town set on the banks of the Ovens River, nestled in the foothills of the Australian Alps. It has lovely leafy streets, good cafes, hotels, a supermarket and other interesting shops to browse in. We spent time wandering through the town centre, browsing in the shops and enjoying the café culture.
Then we explored Centenary Park, a lovely riverside park with picnic shelters, BBQs, toilets, playgrounds, and walking paths along the river. It’s a popular spot for swimming and relaxing during the warmer months.
From Centenary Park, we wandered along the Canyon Walk, an easy circuit that follows the edge of the Ovens River. The track winds through native bushland and along rocky riverbanks, with informative signs that share stories of Bright’s gold-mining past. The swinging bridge has wonderful views over the Ovens River.
Then we popped into the Bright Brewery, the local brewery that overlooks the Ovens River, to relax and have a few drinks.
Camping at Smoko Campground & Things to Do
After staying in Bright, we drove approximately 17 kilometres to Smoko Campground, located just off the Great Alpine Road.
Smoko Campground is a free bush campground with a mix of hard-packed dirt and grassy areas, making it suitable for motorhomes, caravans, camper trailers and tents. Facilities are basic, with a long-drop toilet, picnic tables, and fire pits scattered throughout the campground. Dogs are allowed, and fires are allowed as long as there is no fire ban, and we had good Telstra coverage when we stayed. The Ovens River runs directly through the campground and is perfect for swimming, fishing, and relaxing.
Catching Trout at Stony Creek Fish Farm
Four kilometres from Smoko Campgrounds near the base of Mount Feathertop is the Stony Creek Fish Farm. The Stony Creek Fish Farm is open Friday to Monday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm and has a cafe with great coffee, local produce and lots of ponds stocked with salmon and trout. We had fun catching a couple of trout in the ponds, which we took back to Smoko and cooked up for dinner.
We also drove to Harrietville, a small alpine village at the base of Mount Hotham, along the Alpine Road. In Harrietville, we wandered around Pioneer Park and learnt about the town’s gold mining history. Then we visited the Tronoh Dredge Hole. This deep lake was formed during large-scale gold dredging operations between 1942 and 1954. At the time, the Tronoh dredge was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, extracting enormous amounts of gravel and gold from the Ovens River flats. When dredging ceased, the site slowly filled with water, creating the lake, and today it is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and walking around the lake.
After leaving Smoko Campground, we travelled 75 kilometres to Beechworth.
Exploring the Historic Gold Rush Town of Beechworth
Beechworth is a beautifully preserved historic gold rush town, known for its grand 19th-century architecture, tree-lined streets, and interesting history.
In Beechworth, we wandered through the town centre, enjoying the heritage buildings along Camp Street and Ford Street. We stopped for a delicious morning tea at the Beechworth Bakery, which is open daily from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. Then we visited the Beechworth Honey Shop, where we tasted a wide range of single-varietal honeys, saw a working beehive and bought a few honey products.
Next stop was the Old Beechworth Gaol, which is open daily from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm and offers guided tours and an on-site cafe. The Beechworth Gaol opened in 1860 and operated as a medium security gaol until it closed in 2004. Ned Kelly was imprisoned here three times, and his mother Ellen, brother Dan, and other associates were also held within its walls.
Near the gaol is the historic precinct, a collection of authentic 1850s administrative buildings including the Courthouse, Telegraph Station, Chinese Protectorate Office, Gold Wardens Office, Police Stables, and the Stone Lock-Up. We enjoyed wandering through the precinct and reading the information boards that explained the history and purpose of each building.
Then we headed to The Last Street Brewery, which is open daily from 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm. It was formerly Billsons Brewery and is housed in a striking red-brick Victorian building that was built in 1873. We sampled a range of traditional cordials, syrups, and small-batch and limited-edition liqueurs. You can also take a tour of the brewery, and it has a family-friendly taproom and restaurant, offering a seasonal menu made with locally sourced ingredients.
We stopped to admire Lake Sambell, a lovely recreational lake located on the outskirts of Beechworth. This area was originally the site of the Rocky Mountain Mining Company and a busy gold sluicing operation during the mid-1800s gold rush. In the 1920s, the excavated land was transformed into a recreational lake and reserve, and today it’s a popular spot for fishing, boating, cycling, and swimming during the warmer months.
Then we went to The Old Beechworth Asylum, which is set in 11 hectares of beautiful heritage gardens. Built in 1867, the asylum once comprised 67 buildings and housed more than 1,200 patients and 500 staff at its peak. Now you can wander the gardens and see the old buildings; they also offer ghost tours in the evening.
Then we drove to Woolshed Falls, which are located in the Chiltern–Mount Pilot National Park, approximately 6 kilometres from Beechworth. There is plenty of parking, and a short walk leads to a lookout where you can see the falls cascading over granite rock formations into a deep pool below.
Pioneer Bridges Campground
After exploring Beechworth, we drove 20 Kilometres to the Pioneer Bridges Campground. The Pioneer Bridges Campground is a peaceful, free campground on the banks of the Ovens River, near Everton. This campground offers a relaxed bush setting with picnic tables, fire pits, one toilet, and easy access to the river. Dogs are allowed, and we had good Telstra reception when we stayed. After a lovely, peaceful night at Pioneer Bridges, we drove approximately 57 kilometres to Rutherglen, one of Australia’s oldest wine-growing regions.
Exploring Rutherglen & Visiting Wineries
Rutherglen is a lovely little town, and the region is world-famous for its fortified wines, particularly Muscats. We wandered around the town centre and enjoyed morning tea at Caffeine Machine. While we were there, we discovered they have a free motorcycle museum inside. We also admired the Rutherglen Silo Art, where four silos have been painted with colourful native birds, each representing a different season.
Just outside town, we visited Stanton and Killeen Winery, one of the area’s most respected and historic family-owned wineries. Established in 1875, Stanton & Killeen has been producing wine for generations and is internationally renowned for its Rutherglen Muscat and fortified wines. We enjoyed a tasting in the cellar door.
Then we visited All Saints Estate, one of the landmark wineries of the Rutherglen wine region. Established in 1864, the estate’s cellar door is located within a stunning heritage-listed castle, surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens. All Saints Estate produces both table wines and fortified styles and is particularly renowned for its Muscat, Muscadelle, and vintage fortified wines. The cellar door is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, offering tastings, winery tours, and the chance to explore the grounds.
The Willows Reserve – Camping on the Murray River
After exploring Rutherglen, we drove approximately 9 kilometres to The Willows Reserve at Wahgunyah. The Willows Reserve is a peaceful riverside campground along the Murray River, set among shady trees and open grassy areas. It is a donation campground and has a toilet, potable water, picnic tables and BBQ’s in the day use area. It is also dog-friendly, fires are allowed as long as there is no fire ban, and we had good Telstra reception when we stayed. It is a great spot for swimming, fishing, or simply relaxing by the water.
From Wahgunyah, we travelled approximately 59 kilometres to Glenrowan, a small historic town best known as the site of Ned Kelly’s last stand.
Glenrowan - Ned Kelly History
In Glenrowan, we wandered around the town centre and saw the iconic Big Ned Kelly statue. We also visited Kate’s Cottage and the Ned Kelly Museum, which are open daily from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. In the museum, Ned Kelly’s story unfolds through detailed interpretive displays, with genuine artefacts, historical articles, and original photographs spanning from the 1840s through to the 1940s. Outside, there is a replica of the Kelly Homestead, originally located at Greta West. The cottage features original items donated by the Kelly family and gives an insight into the harsh living conditions of the time.
Next, we explored the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub, which is an architecturally designed rotunda that also houses the town’s Visitor Information Centre. Inside, interactive exhibits, static displays, and short films provide deeper insight into Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang. We climbed the stairs to the viewing platform above, which overlooks the landscape and the key locations that played a crucial role in Kelly’s last stand.
We then wandered around the Glenrowan Heritage Siege Precinct, which has seven key locations associated with the events of June 1880.
From Glenrowan, we drove 24 kilometres to Benalla, where our High Country road trip comes to an end.
Benalla - Stunning Lake & Amazing Murals
Benalla is a relaxed regional city in north-east Victoria, set along the Broken River and Lake Benalla. At the heart of the city is Lake Benalla, a picturesque artificial lake created in the 1970s by damming the Broken River. The lake now forms a scenic focal point for walking, picnicking, art, and outdoor activities.
Benalla is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading street art destinations. The town is home to more than 50 large-scale murals, created by talented street artists from around the world. We enjoyed wandering around the town centre, looking down laneways and on the sides of buildings for these lovely colourful artworks.
We also visited the heritage-listed Benalla Botanical Gardens and the Benalla Art Gallery, which is open 6 days a week from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, it is closed on Tuesdays. Benalla also has some stunning heritage buildings and connections to the Kelly Gang. The Old Courthouse was built in 1864, and New Kelly was tried here for several minor offences. And across the road is the Old Bootmakers Shop, built before 1877, which is part of the Ned Kelly trail.
Why we Loved our Road Trip through Victoria's
High Country
Victoria’s High Country offers such a wonderful blend of gourmet experiences, alpine scenery, historic towns and relaxed riverside camping. From cheese and wine in Milawa to gold rush stories in Beechworth, from swimming in alpine rivers to sipping fortified wine in Rutherglen, this road trip reminded us why we love travelling by motorhome. The freedom to move at our own pace, stay beside rivers, and truly immerse ourselves in each town makes all the difference.
If you’re planning a Victorian road trip, the High Country is a region that rewards slow travel. Take your time, wander the streets, taste the local produce, and enjoy those peaceful campgrounds.
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