Beyond the Victorian Goldfields’ best-known destinations, a collection of small towns is carving out their own identity through food, wine, nature, books and beautifully preserved heritage.
I’ve called the Victorian Goldfields home for the past 17 years, but some of my favourite places in the region lie just beyond the towns that typically steal the spotlight. Whether you’re seeking exceptional food, fascinating history, forest adventures, great wine or a literary weekend, these are six of the best lesser-known towns that deserve a visit on your next country escape.
1. Trentham: The food-led getaway
Tuck into an intimate, French farmhouse-style dinner at Du Fermier.
The historic Cosmo pub serves as a central community hub for generations.
Stop for some sourdough at Red Beard Bakery.
If Trentham were a person, I’d say it was always thinking about its next meal. Lucky then that dotted throughout the tiny town are enough cafes, restaurants and pubs to sate even the hungriest traveller. Set on the edge of Wombat State Forest, 20 minutes from Daylesford, the small hamlet traditionally known for growing potatoes has become a foodie destination well beyond the humble spud.
Start your day at Red Beard Bakery, where wild-ferment sourdough bread is baked in a rare 19th-century Scotch oven. Then move on to Trentham General for brunch (try the spicy chilli scrambled eggs) in the old Bank of Australasia building. Make sure you leave room for a long, languid lunch at Du Fermier, Annie Smithers’ much-loved restaurant, where fresh, seasonal produce shapes the ever-changing French-inspired menu.Finish the day with a local pinot noir or craft beer at the restored Cosmopolitan Hotel, safe in the knowledge that you’ve found one of regional Victoria’s best-kept dining secrets.
2. Maldon: The heritage escape
Maldon retains its 19th-century gold mining streetscape aesthetic.
The Beehive Mine chimney once formed part of a lucrative quartz mine in the 1860s.
With its broad main street, ornate shopfronts and beautifully maintained Victorian buildings, Australia’s first official “notable town", just 15 minutes from Castlemaine, feels like stepping back in time to its gold-rush heyday. Begin your visit at the Beehive Mine chimney, a towering structure that once formed part of a lucrative quartz mine in the 1860s. From there, wander Maldon’s historic streets before climbing Mount Tarrengower (less of a mountain and more of a gradual incline) for sweeping views across Maldon and the surrounding box-ironbark forest.
Back in town, antique stores, galleries and old-fashioned lolly shops invite leisurely browsing, while the Maldon Bakery – established in 1854 and believed to be Australia’s oldest continuously operating bakery – draws a steady stream of locals and visitors for pies and vanilla slices. For a final dose of nostalgia, board the Victorian Goldfields Railway for a languid steam-train journey along the restored 1880s line between Maldon and Castlemaine, or head beyond the township to the Maldon Historic Reserve, where walking trails weave past old stone ruins and abandoned mine workings.
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3. Clunes: The literary weekend
Wander the charming streets of Clunes.
This handsome town, about 35 minutes north of Ballarat, became internationally recognised in 2012 when it was named Australia’s first International Booktown. Today, second-hand and antiquarian bookstores occupy many of the beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings lining the wide main street, making Clunes perfect for slow weekends spent browsing shelves and lingering over coffee.
Begin at one of the town’s many bookstores, where you’ll find everything from vintage Australiana and gardening tomes to contemporary fiction and rare collectables. It’s worth planning ahead to coincide with the village’s much-loved Booktown Festival in March, when the streets fill with authors, readers and more than 100 booksellers.
The town is home to the world-class Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) mountain bike network, where riders can explore kilometres of flowing singletrack through eucalypt forest. If you prefer a slower pace, St George’s Lake is a picturesque spot where you can explore the surrounding bushland on foot (a loop of the lake takes about 30 minutes). Set within Creswick Regional Park, it’s also worth keeping an eye out for koalas, wallabies and native birdlife among the trees. The town’s close proximity to sections of the Goldfields Track makes it the ideal spot for an active weekend escape immersed in nature.
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5. Heathcote: The wine country detour
Sample Munari Wines in a spacious courtyard.
Sip on small-batch spirits at Envy Distilling.
While wine lovers flock to Victoria’s Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, Heathcote produces some of Australia’s most celebrated (and delicious) drops. Located around 40 minutes south-east of Bendigo, Heathcote is best known for its rich red soils and exceptional shiraz.
It’s easy to spend a weekend sampling and dining at places such as the family-run Munari Wines (where the tastings and home-made pizza feel more like visiting a friend’s home) or enjoying vineyard views at the off-grid Silver Spoon Estate, before branching out to Envy Distilling, where Nathan Wheat and Vanessa Curtis craft small-batch spirits at their off-grid distillery. For a hands-on experience, Shiraz Republic’s popular rent-a-row program allows visitors to follow the winemaking process from harvest to bottle. A little gem in central Victoria, Heathcote offers all the ingredients for a sparkling wine-country weekend without the crowds of the state’s better-known wine regions.
6. Talbot: The market town
Tiny Talbot, between Clunes and Maryborough, comes alive on the third Sunday of every month when its acclaimed farmers’ market transforms the historic streetscape into a bustling hub of regional produce, artisan food and local makers.
Held among the beautifully preserved buildings of Scandinavian Crescent and Camp Street, the market draws thousands of visitors and more than 80 stallholders gather, offering everything from organic cheeses, small-batch wines and locally grown saffron to artisan sourdough, handmade fudge and freshly picked seasonal produce.
Arrive hungry and munch your way through Turkish gozleme, hot jam doughnuts, bagels, Indian curries and gourmet pies before filling your basket with olive oil, honey, preserves and baked treats to take home. Beyond market day, Talbot has beautifully preserved heritage buildings and a slower pace, but it’s the market’s celebration of regional food and makers that’s worth the drive.
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No matter your interests, you’re bound to find a unique and utterly memorable experience along the mighty Murray River.
Along the Murray River lies a network of towns that are at once intertwined and wildly diverse. Linked by the legendary waterway yet strikingly distinct, each has its own personality, pace and collection of experiences you won’t soon forget.
1. On the river
Get out onto the pretty Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
A visit to the region wouldn’t be complete without a jaunt on the iconic river. If you’re something of an adventurer, Lake Mulwala – an inlet on the Murray – is perennially popular for all kinds of watersports. Glide among ghost gums on a kayak or stand up paddleboard, or pick up the pace by waterskiing or windsurfing.
For a more relaxed (but no less immersive) river experience, hop on board one of the famed paddle steamers. Departing from Echuca Moama, Swan Hill and Yarrawonga Mulwala, these historic boats provide a nostalgic view of the Murray.
2. First Nations culture
Wander the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk.
The river is a meeting place of ancient cultures, home to over 50 First Nations clans and an integral part of their communities, storytelling and way of life.
To learn more about the Traditional Owners, take yourself on a guided stroll through the Wagirra Trail. Situated in Albury/Wiradjuri country, the trail passes through red gum forest, riverside wetlands and the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk.
Alternatively, visit the Dharnya Centre in the heart of Barmah National Park on Yorta Yorta country. The centre tells the history and stories of the Yorta Yorta people, offering guided walking tours and cruises.
3. Delicious eats
Savour a relaxed riverside meal at Mildura Boat House.
For a representative taste of the Murray’s epicurean highlights, a few destinations are well worth your time (and appetite).
Opa in Echuca is a local staple, serving up authentic and bold Greek dishes in lively surrounds. Greek not your thing? The twin towns of Echuca Moama have numerous top-notch drinking and dining spots to choose from and an ever-evolving food scene.
In Albury, the River Deck Cafe is perched right on the river, delivering scenic vistas and a vibrant daytime menu. Expect lemon meringue waffles or Green Goddess smashed avo for breakfast, or a zippy duck salad with Southeast Asian flavours for lunch. For more waterfront dining options, head to Mildura Boathouse. Enjoy iconic views and a modern Australian menu focused on local producers and wines.
4. Hiking and biking trails
Discover the Murray Region on two wheels. (Credit: Ewen Bell)
The best ways to experience the Murray’s surrounding landscapes are on foot or by bike. Luckily, plenty of well-marked trails take you through the diverse scenery.
The Mildura Riverfront has a shared path for both walkers and cyclists, connecting the town centre with a string of parks and lookouts. The path lets you take in the entire town and its distinctive terrain at a leisurely pace, and is relatively flat throughout.
For a more challenging experience, head to the Huon Hill Parklands or Nail Can Hill Reserve in Albury Wodonga. Both feature a varied network of bushwalking and mountain biking trails through undulating terrain.
5. Best views along The Murray
Spot the birdlife at Wonga Wetlands. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)
The Murray region is perhaps unsurprisingly a prime destination for epic vistas. The Wonga Wetlands just outside Albury are an aquatic feast for the eyes, a winding web of billabongs and lagoons. Take a stroll through the tranquil landscape and see if you can spot one of the more than 170 bird species living within.
Stop by Moama Beach at sunset to catch the dazzling display. Vivid hues of pink, amber and gold flare against a backdrop of river red gum trees and are reflected in the river’s glassy waters.
Head away from the Murray itself, 15 mins from Albury Wodonga, for stunning mountain views at Lake Hume. Or head to Gunbower National Park, a picturesque place boasting a diverse wonderland of waterbirds, wildlife and aquatic plants.
6. Art and culture
Immerse yourself in art at the MAMA, Albury. (Tourism Australia)
The region’s diverse mix of galleries, museums and cultural hubs provides a window into its past and present.
One of the most prominent is Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), which has a rotating roster of contemporary exhibitions. The Burrajara Gallery is another Albury gem, with a powerful collection of works from local First Nations artists.
There are several smaller museums and galleries scattered across Echuca Moama and Mildura reflecting the artistic depth of the Murray. Popular picks include The Foundry Arts Space and Customs House Gallery in Echuca Moama, and the Arts Centre, Riverfront Gallery and NAP Contemporary in Mildura.
7. Murray Region Events
Time your trip around one fo the regions live music events. (Credit: Riverboats Music Festival)
Each year, the Murray hosts events as unique and characterful as the region itself.
The Massive Murray Paddle takes place every November, a 415-kilometre, five-day river paddle raising money for local charities. Whether you take part in a canoe, kayak, stand up paddleboard or boat, or watch from the riverbanks, you’ll be in for a memorable experience.
If you’re a music lover, you’re in luck throughout the year. In summer, plan a trip for Riverboats Music Festival. And in the cooler months, head to the Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival for four days of performances across different venues.
8. Best stays along The Murray
Find unique stays by the river or in the countryside.
Throughout your busy few days of exploring, you’ll need a comfortable spot to rest.
Echuca Moama Riverside Holiday Park is right on the river and has gorgeous views. Pick from riverfront and pet-friendly lagoon cabins, or set up camp at one of the powered sites set among native bush. Or head into the countryside to stay in the quaint glamping or lodge options of Charm Lodge.
Alternatively, treat yourself to a night or two at The Sebel Yarrawonga Silverwoods, which has stylish modern rooms and luxe amenities. There’s a heated infinity pool, day spa and an on-site restaurant doing elevated fare with local produce.
For a quintessential Murray experience, hire a houseboat from one of the many operators in Mildura. Available for weekend and week-long adventures, these well-appointed boats immerse you in the leisurely rhythm and quiet beauty of the Murray River.
