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This ethical Victorian walk through golden canola fields ends with beer and wine

Credit: Chloe Smith Photography

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
There’s nothing more freeing than frolicking through a field of flowers, and this official walk makes it easy to do so.

We’re slowly emerging from winter, and it’s time to reignite our excitement about the wonders of spring: baby animals, warmer weather and flowers galore. Sprawling fields around Victoria, South Australia and the ACT will soon be covered in a golden yellow blanket of canola flowers – some you can visit, and some that you can’t (without trespassing on private farms).

So there’s no better place to start than the Cornella Canola Walk.

Ethical canola flower viewing

woman walking on path through Cornella Canola Walk
Follow the paths through stunning canola fields. (Credit: Chloe Smith Photography)

Like with any flower fields, tourists can tend to get carried away and forget that these are actually a farmer’s crops. South Australian farmers have already noted a problem with trespassers damaging Canola crops by ignoring warning signs for the perfect photo. So a quick reminder: the only ethical way to view flowers is to stay completely off private property.

That’s where an intentional canola experience comes in.

Where to find Cornella Canola Walk

man walking on path through Cornella Canola Walk
(Credit: Chloe Smith Photography)

About an hour’s drive from Bendigo – or two hours from Melbourne – in the Heathcote region, you can wander through more than 40 hectares of canola fields surrounding Shiraz Republic and Cornella Brewery (handily, at the same location).

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What to expect

man posing with outdoor piano Cornella Canola Walk
Stop for a moment by the piano. (Credit: Chloe Smith Photography)

This is the only walk-through canola experience in the state, and it’s been designed to protect the crop while allowing revellers to soak in the landscape up close. So, you can feel good about doing it for the ‘gram.

This special trail and viewing platform provides a full 360-degree view of the flowers, and drones are welcome. Along the way, you’ll find places to stop for your new profile picture, like a working piano and a rusted-out ute.

Want to really make a trip of it? Book a stay at Shiraz Republic’s single or double bedroom private units to wake up with golden views (there’s also an accessible option). Each is self-contained, fitted with a full kitchen, bathroom, living area and decking overlooking the vineyard.

Dining options

table spread of pizza, wine and beer at shiraz rebulic
End the walk by treating your taste buds. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Like any good walk, the best part is the cold drink at the end of it (even when it’s relatively short and completely flat, like this one). So, it’s great news you can end the trail with wine or beer and wood-fired pizza at Shiraz Republic’s cellar door. Sit down in the rustic vineyard setting and even enjoy some live tunes on weekends.

The details

Address: Shiraz Republic, 507 Hamblin Road, Cornella VIC
Safety: This is a working farm, so while dogs on leashes are welcome, be sure to stay on the provided track.
Open: From 24 July to 27 September, open daily from 10 AM
Cost: $18 per adult, $12.50 per kid, or $50 for a family of five.
Bookings: Book ahead on the Cornella Canola Walk website.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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The Gold Rush town that’s become Victoria’s best country escape for foodies

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    The well-preserved Gold Rush town where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.

    Cafe culture

    ‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso, and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.

    the Saint Florian Cafe, Castlemaine
    Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)

    On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.

    Brilliant brews, bars and food

    diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
    The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)

    The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.

    A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack. Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.

    food and drinks at Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro, Castlemaine
    The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.

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    Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal, is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.

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    Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

    Quirky country stays

    Quirky, authentic and perfectly located, the Midland Hotel is a private hotel that dates back to 1879. Each of the nine rooms at the Northern Arts Hotel is different and named in honour of an Australian artist. Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation also has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers.