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 hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
We round up the luxe, the lovely and the latest places to stay in regional Victoria.
1. Hotel Ernest, Bendigo
The elegantly styled Hotel Ernest oozes heritage charm.
Settle into this artful lodging in the city centre for a boutique stay with heritage roots dating back to 1864. Each of the 10 suites in this former bank is elegantly styled and furnished with covetable works by Australian artists. Ernest is also home to the much-lauded Euro-style Restaurant Terrae, so be sure to book into the two-level diner during your visit.
2. Norsu Cabin, Macedon
Settle into this Scandi-inspired abode. (Image: Nick Skinner)
Country cabin dreams come to life under the sweet timber A-frame of Norsu. Sleeping eight guests, this Scandi-inspired abode is so meticulously styled it’s received knowing nods from The Design Files and is everything a modern log cabin should be, including cosy fireplace, fire pit, modern appliances and French linens. Perfect for logging out of daily life for a moment.
3. Islay House, Woodend
Bed down at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House. (Image: Tiffany Warner)
Lean all the way into a country luxe state-of-mind with a stay at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House. This bed and breakfast sleeps up to nine guests and is just a short walk from town, but you’ll want to spend most of your time curled up fireside in the elegantly styled rooms as you admire the collection of antiques.
4. Nerissa Rye, Mornington Peninsula
Indulge in barefoot luxe at Nerissa Rye. (Image: Eve Wilson)
This Rye beach pad is just a 10-minute walk from 16th Beach, and while a morning walk is lovely, returning to the barefoot luxe vibes of this four-bedroom escape is just as enlivening. Bright, open and welcoming, this is the place to settle in for endless cups of tea and a good book between beach jaunts.
5. Hotel Vera, Ballarat
Modern meets bygone elegance.
This Ballarat beauty set in a 1900s mansion is all bygone elegance edged with modern style. Just seven boutique suites, each with its own distinct personality, makes it a singularly luxe stay. Sister to Bendigo’s Hotel Ernest, Vera is similarly bequeathed with a stand-out fine diner, Babae, which plates up the best of the region’s produce.
6. Hotel Sorrento, Port Philip Bay
The Amalfi-style beachside Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay.
The historic and iconic clifftop Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay is mid-refurb and will reopen 1 December 2025, just in time for Amalfi-style beachside stays.
7. The Idle Lake House, Lakes Entrance
Soak up lakeside serenity. (Image: Kate Enno Photography)
Enjoy a ripple of serenity when you step aboard this water-top abode on the Gippsland Lakes. Once a Chinese restaurant, this spacious and stylish two-bedroom stay offers unbroken gazing of the shimmering surface in a beautifully private bay. Lounge on the deck and enjoy the onboard bathhouse; come evening, sit by the sleek suspended fireplace.
8. The Monty, Anglesea
Bed down at the vintage motel, The Monty.
Palm Springs makes an entrance on the Great Ocean Road with the opening of The Monty in October 2025. Its vintage motel meets modern muse at this playful boutique stay complete with pool and a vibrant Mexican cantina. You’re just a stroll from the beach here, which tells us it’s ripe for summer vacays this season.
9. Trentham Waters Resort, Mildura
The bright and retro-style bedroom at Trentham Waters Resort.
Another new property lands in regional Victoria in time for an endless summer with Trentham Waters Resort expected to open by February 2026. Breezy, subtly retro and brightened by the big Mallee sky, this river’s-edge escape is perfect for settling in for a spell with one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. There’s a lagoon-style pool, riverside hot tubs and onsite dining for all your relaxation requirements.
10. Crowne Plaza, Geelong
Sink a cold one at the Trattoria Bar.
Geelong is getting its own Crowne Plaza in 2026. Its arrival on the waterfront will make it the city’s largest (and newest) hotel with 200 contemporary rooms and suites, a Skybar, all-day dining, indoor pool and gym, and event spaces. Keep it on your radar.
11. Re’em, Yarra Valley
Sip and soak in tranquillity.
With verdant Yarra Valley views that take in the linear beauty of tended grapevines, the 16 suites and rooms at Re’em are set amid the Helen & Joey Estate and invite sipping and sitting in tranquillity. The onsite restaurant deftly balances Chinese and Australian flavours and if you’re staying over the weekend, be tempted out of your stylish room for yum cha that features delicate handmade dumplings and vineyard vistas.
12. Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians
Spend an overnight stay in the Natimuk stone house. (Image: Bianca Jackson)
These 1880-era mountain-adjacent digs have been tenderly restored to provide rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers a chic place to rest. You’ll find four bedrooms in the Natimuk stone house, as well as a heated pool out the back and plenty of luxe embellishments. There’s also a two-person ‘Crash Pad’ in the confines of the Clubhouse with its own separate entrance.
The Crash Pad offers a resting place for rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers. (Image: Bianca Jackson)
