Winter is the sweet spot for exploring Victoria’s Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, with crisp riding conditions, colourful crowd-free landscapes and plenty of gourmet pit stops along the way.
With autumn foliage still burning bright and clear winter skies settling in, now is the ideal time to layer up and embark on a cycling adventure through Victoria’s High Country. Having completed an $8.5 million upgrade in September 2025, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is safer, more scenic and spectacular than ever.
The sealed, off-road trail is a 137-kilometre cycling route linking the vibrant towns of Wangaratta, Beechworth, Rutherglen, Bright and Myrtleford in Victoria’s north-east.
Pass through historic townships. (Credit: Tourism North East/Karen Webb)
Your days will be spent gliding through boulevards of towering golden poplars, pedalling past cow-dotted fields along decommissioned rail tracks and discovering the historic gold rush towns of north-east Victoria. Stop in at small-batch cellar doors, gourmet restaurants and honey shops for a taste of the region’s top-notch produce, and enjoy the wide-open scenery you’ll essentially have all to yourself.
Backed by $8.5 million in funding from the Victorian government, the new development added a 32-kilometre extension connecting Beechworth to Yackandandah, as well as safety enhancements including nine new bridges, an elevated boardwalk and improved signage.
Discover the colourful streets of Bright by bike.
Discover new art along the trail, such as in Myrtleford. (Credit: Tourism North East/Karen Webb)
Stop in at Milawa Cheese Company.
The upgrade also included the addition of art installations and silo murals that celebrate the stories of Victorian artists, creating memorable ‘must-see’ moments along the journey. On top of this, park landscaping and nature play areas invite deeper connection to the surrounding scenery.
Suitable for families, couples and friends, the trail is graded as ‘easy’ and is mostly flat, with sealed surfaces and wheelchair-accessible segments. You can complete smaller sections as shorter daytime adventures or check into accommodations along the way for a longer journey. Many people tackle the rail trail as a self-guided trip; however, you can also book a guided tour for ease of mind and fuss-free logistics.
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Highlights of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
The trail is perfect for families. (Credit: Tourism North East/Karen Webb)
Whether you’re into fine wines and farm-fresh produce or outdoor exploration, there are abundant things to do along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Here are our top picks.
Milawa Gourmet Region: Savour the flavours of the region at the hatted Brown Brothers Restaurant, Milawa Cheese Company and Hurdle Creek Still distillery.
Mountain vistas: Admire majestic Mount Buffalo, along with Feathertop and Hotham in the distance, on the scenic pedal from Bright to Myrtleford. And keep your eyes peeled for the occasional echidna!
Red wines: Taste your way through Rutherglen’s rustic and boutique cellar doors, experiencing its famous muscat and red wines at stops such as Olive Hills Estate, Stanton and Killeen Wines and Anderson Winery.
Don’t miss cycling along scenic Ovens River.
Stop in the town of Bright: This adorable town is rich in scenic parks, gold rush history and charming cafes. It’s also home to the stunning Ovens River.
Birdwatching: Spot parrots, wrens and magpies along the Bowser to Tarrawingee section of the trail, where you’ll also find Emily Floyd’s Magpie Family artwork.
New art installations: Located in Rutherglen, Tarrawingee, Porepunkah, Eurobin and between Oxley & Milawa, these new artworks and sculptures bring colour, narrative discovery and topics of discussion to the trail.
Historic Beechworth: Sip craft beer, take a tour of Old Beechworth Gaol and wander heritage streetscapes.
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding.
You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.
1. Lake Tyrrell
The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)
Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell, is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.
2. Nhill Lake
There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.
3. Lake Bringalbert
Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.
Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.
4. Lake Hindmarsh
If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh. Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.
5. Pink Lake
The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)
Also known as Loch Lel, the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).
Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)
There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland.
6. Lake Lascelles
You can camp at Lake Lascelles.
On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake, or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.
