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If you’re looking for a country escape that’s just a couple of hours from Melbourne, Nagambie should be on your radar. Set on the Goulburn River and surrounded by wineries, it’s got that small town regional charm without feeling too sleepy. And with The Mitchelton Hotel right on the riverbank, you’ve got a base that nails the balance between laid-back and a little luxe.
Here’s how to spend a perfect long weekend in Nagambie.
Friday: arrive and settle in
Check into The Mitchelton Hotel
First stop: your home for the weekend. Cruising up the driveway of The Mitchelton Hotel sets the tone for a casual yet impressive five-star stay. The 55-metre tower is one of the first things to come into view, easily spotted as it rises above the rows of vines that flank the hotel on almost every side. Hotel guests have their own undercover carpark – there are EV charging stations – and access reception via an elevator. A welcome drink can be enjoyed in the lobby lounge – soft brown leather couches, window seats and armchairs, plus a fireplace – or get your bearings early and take your sip outside for a lap around the lawn, walking by the cellar door, cafe and restaurant.
Rooms face either the vineyard or the river, and come dressed with earthy tones and warm textiles. Beds are sink-in comfortable, and private balconies that look out over the swimming pool have serious “I could stay here all day” energy.
Dinner in Nagambie
Like so many other regional towns, Nagambie’s dining offerings are concentrated up and down the town’s main street. On the lake side, Nagambie Brewery and Distillery is a great option for weekend visitors. Friday night is steak night; cooked how you like, with salad, chips and onion rings. The main menu covers the gamut of crowd-friendly eats, from wood-fired pizzas to burgers, schnitzels and small plates. The large deck overlooks Lake Nagambie and is the pick of the perches on balmy evenings, however inside tables are ideal for larger groups. Next door to the brewery is unfussy Nagambie Rowing Club, and across the road is Eighteen Sixty for Italian-leaning cuisine and locally produced wines.
Saturday: explore and unwind
Morning stroll by the Goulburn River
Roll out of bed, lace up your comfortable shoes and take an easy riverside walk straight from the hotel. There’s a path that leads out from the hotel guest carpark. It forks out at one point; go left passed the cow and rowboat installations to follow the path until it reaches the dead-end at the river. Double back and this time take the alternative fork, to wander a circuit path through the bush that eventually leads back around to the swimming pool, dock and restaurant.
The early light over the water is worth waking up for, and you’ll probably only share the track with a few ducks.
Wander over to The Provedore Cafe for breakfast upon your return. The outdoor tables are highly coveted on fine sunny mornings; nab one of the newspapers from inside and pour over the pages for a leisurely start to the day. Coffee is strong, sure to please caffeine connoisseurs from Melbourne, and the tight a la carte breakfast menu includes a fiery chilli scramble, buttermilk waffles with puffed grains, and a BLT in soft Turkish roll. Adding hash browns to the side of your order, be it sweet or savoury, is highly recommended.
Wine tasting at Mitchelton Cellar Door
You don’t need to go far for your first sip of the day. The onsite cellar door is only metres from the main hotel building and offers some of the best drops in the region. There are a handful of options for your tastings and you’re welcome to select three pours that pique your fancy. A signature reds flight is also available (additional cost), plus there is a cheese and wine flight. Bookings are required for tastings, and the cellar door is open seven days a week, from 11am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
If it’s a bit too early for wine and you’d prefer a wander, make the drive back into Nagambie to see the town in daylight. There are cute boutiques stocked with homewares, kitchen kit and clothes, plus good cafes if you want another pick-me-up. Don’t miss the local bakery (the original red brick, towards the Vine Street intersection) for your fix of classic country bakery hits: vanilla slice, hedgehog, pies and apple cakes.
The Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art
The hotel’s tower isn’t just a lookout point and bar; on one of its basement levels is a gallery showing an extensive collection of works by Indigenous artists. Entry is free. It’s cool, calm and thoughtfully curated, and a boutique has some items for purchase.
Another way to while away the afternoon is by retreating to the cushy confines of the hotel day spa. Bookings are a must, and the treatment menu encompasses all manner of pampering: botanical massages, nature-inspired facials, body wraps and more.
Poolside cocktails and charcuterie
By now, you’ve earned a spell by the pool. The infinity pool looks out over the vines and is big enough for a proper swim (or just lazy laps between sips). Order a glass of something crisp from the pool bar or scan the QR code on the lounge-side tables, and settle in with a podcast, book or snooze. Poolside eats are on offer, with heartier plates rounding out the lunch menu and lighter options in the late afternoon. The charcuterie board is an excellent spread of cured meats, soft cheese, olives and pickled vegetables, perfect for lazy grazing.
Dinner at The Muse
Don’t fill up too much with snacks by the pool because dinner tonight is at The Muse, the hotel’s signature restaurant helmed by Nigel Brown. The dining room has a Scandi farmhouse feel, with its soaring ceilings, exposed beams and light timber furnishings. By day, the space is bright and filled with light; of an evening it becomes moodier. A la carte or a four-course chef’s tasting menu are available, and rotating specials are also rattled off by friendly floor staff. Expect dishes like saltwater barramundi with mussels and heirloom tomatoes, and Dorper lamb saddle with a shoulder croquette. Thrice-cooked potatoes are a mainstay, and the lightly dressed green leaves are ideal for cutting through the richness of meaty mains.
Sunday: slow down and savour
Late start
Those that have scored a late checkout can stay in bed that little bit longer for a lie in, or wake up with enough time to wander the riverfront walk again. Have one last dip in the pool before coffee and breakfast at The Provedore before packing up your things and handing your keycard back in at reception.
If you purchased any take-home bottles of wine from the cellar door yesterday, don’t forget to pick them up on your drive out.
Visit Tahbilk Estate
Nagambie is wine country, and Tahbilk Estate is one of its most iconic stops. Conveniently, this historic winery (which dates back to 1860) is located just down the road from The Mitchelton Hotel. Stop by on your way home to see the old cellars and taste some of their finest varietals. The Tahbilk Estate Restaurant is perched by the property’s billabong and tables on the deck have excellent views of the water. Take your pick from the a la carte menu, or cap off your weekend’s dining with one of the picnic experiences – a chef-prepared basket with paired wine, enjoyed in the garden and citrus orchard.
