Luxury Escapes Guide to Victoria's High Country

There’s something in the flour at Beechworth Bakery, a much-loved institution that now has nine locations to its name. Renowned amongst locals and roadtrippers travelling between Melbourne and Sydney or Canberra, each bakery dishes out freshly baked goods, as well as two-hand sandwiches, all-day breakfast and the best pies this side of the border. Treats are made just like Nanna would, with the likes of caramel slice, German donuts, vanilla slice and bee sting cakes all sitting on the counter. The original sits in the middle of Beechworth’s town, but there are now outposts in Albury, Ballarat, Bendigo, Bright, Echuca, Healesville and Yackandandah.

Sitting on the banks of the Ovens River, Bright Brewery is responsible for some of the region’s most adventurous craft beers. Visit the Brewery Door to find out more about the family-owned business and taste some of their MountainCrafted beers, made with fresh alpine water, locally grown hops and sustainable practices. Sip on one of the core collection – the Alpine Lager or Bright Sour, perhaps? – or something from the limited release range, affectionately called Backcountry Brews. Pair your pint with a meal from the Brewery Door’s seasonal menu, which celebrates local producers through fresh salads, sharing boards, burgers and pizzas.

Discover what 130 years of winemaking tastes like at Brown Brothers, a fourth-generation winery in the heart of Milawa. With vineyards across Victoria and Tasmania, they grow over 32 varieties of grapes, all of which are turned into the good stuff at their Milawa base. Visit the cellar door to sample their selection of sparkling and still drops, or book in at the restaurant, where fresh kitchen garden produce is the perfect pairing to a glass of prosecco or pinot noir. For something a little more special, opt for one of the winery experiences – a prosecco brunch or day glamping, perhaps?

Whisper ‘Milawa Blue’ to any cheese-loving Victorian and you’ll find out why Milawa Cheese has become such an iconic part of northeast Victoria. The cheese factory, housed in a former butter factory in the middle of Milawa, has built a reputation throughout the state for its exceptional soft and washed-rind cheeses, especially the aforementioned iconic Australian-made, European-influenced blue cheese. Visit their showroom and tasting room to find out what all the fuss is about, tasting their range of cow and goat milk cheeses alongside locally produced condiments.

With a heritage-listed castle, hatted restaurant, gorgeous gardens and some of the state’s best drops, you’ll want to while away the day at All Saints Estate. Start at the cellar door, where you can sip on award-winning, handcrafted wines, including a range of world-renowned fortifieds. Move onto the hatted Terrace Restaurant, where chef Simon Arkless presents an ever-evolving, season-driven menu influenced by his European heritage and the bounty of beautiful local ingredients.
Don’t forget to pop by Indigo Food Co. before you go – the providore stocks local produce, including a bounty of artisan cheeses. If you’re not up for the full restaurant experience, opt for a produce platter, best enjoyed on the terrace or in the gardens.

It’s a feast for all five senses at Chrismont Cellar Door, Restaurant & Larder, where outstanding food and wine experiences are served with the majestic King Valley as a backdrop. Sample their take on classic Italian wines, such as prosecco, pinot grigio, fiano, sangiovese and barbera at the award-winning cellar door, or settle in for a culinary adventure at the restaurant, where time-honoured family recipes are recreated using local and seasonal ingredients. Stock up on house-made delicacies at the Larder before you leave, with produce like Sicilian pickled eggplant or orange and ruby grapefruit marmalade.

If you really don’t want to say goodbye, book a night or two at the Guest House, the Tuscan-inspired villa perched at the edge of the vineyard.

Ever wondered what the High Country would taste like as a drink? Wonder no more with a visit to Reed & Co Distillery, a family-owned distillery turning out gins with the essence of the region. Pop by to sample their signature spirit, Remedy Gin, sip on a Spirit Lab Gin & Juice or taste the Dark Night, their barrel-aged coffee liqueur. For an afternoon of lovely libations, turn to the cocktail menu, where concoctions like the Aviation (Remedy gin, maraschino liqueur and crème de violet) await. Pair your drink with a selection of local bar snacks, including fried broccoli, Mount Buffalo olives and Myrtleford cheeses.

Follow the aroma of freshly roasted coffee to find Mansfield Coffee Merchant, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe in the heart of Mansfield. It’s all about the perfect brew here – all beans are roasted on site to create unique blends and single-origin options, available to take home or enjoy in the hands of one of their expert baristas. The fare is equally as curated – stop in for a brunch of baked eggs or a breaky roll, or visit for dinner for dishes like kangaroo bolognese linguine and gourmet pizzas.

Ride the new wave of modern Rutherglen winemaking with a visit to Scion Vineyard and Winery. Pop by the cellar door – located 2km south of town – to taste the range of eight wines that Rowly Milhinch and his Mum make onsite, including the muscat-based Blonde, viognier, syrah and durif. Once you’ve found your favourite (or two), settle in for a picnic among the gum trees, overlooking the working winery – planners can order a seasonal picnic hamper ahead of time, or you can bring your own. All friends – furry or human – are welcome!

Indulge your inner coffee aficionado at the brew bar of Sixpence Coffee, a family-owned and run small-batch roastery tucked away in the foothills of the Australian Alps. Visit the team of expert baristas for your morning brew, a bag of takeaway beans or just to chat – there’s nothing they don’t know about the blessed bean. You can also peek at their set-up, with all roasting done onsite. Wash down your flat white or cold brew with a pastry or two, thanks to nearby bakery Frankies.

Whether you’ve spent the day on the slopes, or biked your way from Hotham to Dinner Plain, a few hours at Mount Hotham Onsen Retreat & Spa is the perfect way to finish the day. Book in for a two-hour session for the outdoor Alpine Onsen, heated to 38 degrees, or opt for a private geisha bathing experience, complete with customised bath salts. Either way, you’ll also be able to try the heated plunge spa, sauna, heated lap pool and fitness centre. Relax weary muscles with a massage, or book in for a complete package, which includes a massage, facial and complimentary onsen session.

There are destination restaurants, and then there are restaurants like Provenance. The two-hat venue, housed in the former Bank of Australasia, offers arguably the region’s best dining experience, with seasonally inspired, Japanese-influenced cuisine, an exceptional wine and sake list and service that combines country charm with city sensibilities. Experience all its gourmet glory by opting for the degustation menu – 18 plates over four courses – with optional drink matching. You can also make a weekend of it with a stay in the former stables and carriage house, now luxury accommodation.

Escape the city for a weekend at The Kilnhouses, a trio of stylish sanctuaries on a working cattle farm in Porepunkah. Just a short drive from Bright, these houses are perfectly positioned to soak up their surroundings, with panoramic views and large decks overlooking the farm, nearby vineyards and the alpine mountain range. Incorporating repurposed tobacco kilns into their design, each house features light-filled living areas, state-of-the-art kitchens and luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms. Explore the area using the supplied Chappelli bicycles, or expand your territory in a car – either way, you’ll want to stop by local produce markets and wineries to find incredible ingredients for a BBQ dinner.

Immerse yourself in Victoria’s High Country with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.