Archive for the Category »Wine High country «

King Valley Victoria: Australia’s Newest Wine Lover’s Haven
Friday, May 18th, 2012 /

There’s nothing really new about Australia’s newest wine lover’s destination in the Victorian highlands. In fact, King Valley vintners have been established there for generations and their wines are amongst Australia’s most popular and highly acclaimed. What is new is the concerted effort the wine makers have made to put their wineries on the map. Move over Barossa Valley and the Hunter Valley: there’s a new contender for best wine touring region in Australia.


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In 2000, King Valley vintner Otto Dal Zotto, inspired by nostalgic memories of his youth spent in the beautiful Valdobbiadene wine growing area of northern Italy, decided to plant the vines that put his home on the map. The climate and soil in King Valley were ideal for prosecco and Zotto’s neighbors soon added prosecco to their already extensive list of fine wines.

Australian prosecco became an immediate hit in Australia and so the winemakers got together and created the King Valley Prosecco Road in 2011. Some 385 miles from Sydney and only a little over 150 miles from Melbourne, that doesn’t stop equal numbers of wine lovers from pouring in to explore the wineries of King Valley and its magnificent surrounding countryside.

The Hume Highway is the main artery between Sydney and Melbourne. The small town of Wangaratta (pop. 17,000) is the regional centre of the rich surrounding agricultural regions and marks the turn-off point for the Prosecco Road. It’s not as if this area was off the tourist radar before the recent establishment of the Prosecco Road, though. As the gateway to some of the best ski country in Australia and home of the popular Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Wangaratta is well-known to Australian travelers.

Roughly 8 miles south of Wangaratta, your tour of the Prosecco Road may begin at the Brown Bros. winery in Milawa. You can do this casually or make a real occasion of it by joining in on a helicopter ride to Brown Bros. Banksdale winery, where you will sample prosecco infused canapés and, of course, a glass or two of prosecco.

From Milawa, you can move on to the Sam Miranda vineyard in Oxley and from there to Dal Zotto’s vineyard in Whitfield for a game of bocce and, of course, another wine tasting. So far, you’ve only had a taste (or two) of what’s on offer in King Valley, so it’s probably time to retire to your Wangaratta or King Valley accommodation and rest up for another hard day of sightseeing, eating and wine tasting.

The next day, you may want to visit the Chrismont Winery and go for a tour of the vineyards and facilities with the resident winemaker or go to the Ciccone Estate and have a chauffeur driven tour. Then again, you may want to give wine tasting a break for awhile and rent a mountain bike and take one of the many wonderful bike routes that crisscross King Valley.

If you’ve ever longed to visit northern Italy or wish you could make a return visit, do as Italian migrants did in the 19th century and go to the vineyards of King Valley. Everyone comments on how remarkably similar the areas are and some of the locals still speak their native language. For that matter, visit King Valley for its own sake: it’s a beautiful part of the world and the gateway to even more wonderful Australian scenic attractions in the Victorian Alps.

Bed and Breakfasts are amongst the most popular type of accommodation available in the wine touring regions of Australia. If you live around the Sydney area there is some great Hunter Valley Bed and Breakfast options to choose from for a romantic weekend away.

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Mt. Buller: Victoria’s Winter Wonderland
Monday, May 23rd, 2011 /

If you’re an avid skier or snowboarder and are travelling to Australia during the Northern Hemisphere summer months, do yourself a favour and visit Mt. Buller, Victoria’s Winter Wonderland. While Australia is not famous for its ski slopes, you will be surprised by the quality of snow and numbers of world class runs Mt. Buller has to offer.

The ski season officially begins on the Queen’s Birthday weekend in early June and ends whenever the snow melts, usually in late September. Since residents of Melbourne can get to Mt. Buller in around 3 hours, that gives lucky Melburnians plenty of opportunities to get on the snow for 3 months out of the year. Sydneysiders aren’t so lucky. It takes 9 hours to traverse the 478 miles (770km) trip on the Hume Highway (the fastest route) to Mt. Buller, but that doesn’t stop thousands of them from making the trip.

Why is it worth going out of your way to drive to Mt. Buller when you have closer snowfields you can go to in New South Wales? One of the reasons is the size of the skiable terrain. There are over 740 acres (300 hectares) of slopes to choose from on Mt. Buller. These range from beginner’s slopes like Burnt Hunt Spur and Bourke Street to black runs for experts only like the back of Summit and Chamois. There’s a half pipe for snowboarders and a challenging ultra cross course and all the slopes are constantly being groomed to ensure they are in good condition.

For the children, Mt. Buller has two toboggan parks. One of them is located right in the village and has its own snow making machine. The other is conveniently located at Horse Hill Chairlift. Take the lift to the top and there is more family fun awaiting at the snowtubing park. For a fun and safe thrill, the kids can race down the slopes in an inner tube.

You don’t have to worry about where you will recharge your batteries at Mount Buller. There are over thirty restaurants, cafes and bars scattered throughout the village and on the slopes. Then there is the Breathtaker on High Alpine Spa, the first of its kind in Australia. With a range of treatments available to sooth sore muscles or sooth the spirit, Breathtaker takes the spa experience to new heights.

A very popular summer activity on Mt. Buller is mountain biking. There are two ways you can do this. You can simply head out from the base and explore the area or you can take a lift and get the thrill of a downhill ride without the agony of the uphill climb.

Mt. Buller is an affordable resort, with many discounts available for families and Mt. Buller accommodation and lift pass packages. Further discounts apply in the off season and in some cases, you can even get a "Snow Guarantee" package. Winter or summer, you’ll love the Mt. Buller and the Victorian high country, so put it on your list of places to see in Australia.

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Experience some outdoor adventure in Mansfield
Sunday, February 20th, 2011 /

If you’re looking for a taste of old Australia, when the cattlemen reigned and the legends of the notorious Ned Kelly and the Man from Snowy River began, then look no further than Mansfield, Victoria. Mansfield, on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, is steeped in history, yet rich in modern amenities and attractions. Just 30 miles (48km) from Mount Buller in the Victorian alpine region, Mansfield attracts both lovers of history and adventure lovers from all over Australia and abroad.

Mt. Buller

If just reading about the Australian cattlemen or watching the Australian classic film, The Man from Snowy River isn’t enough for you and you want to have a taste of the lives they led in person, then put Mansfield first on your list of places to visit in Australia. Day or even multi-day horseback excursions can be arranged, guided by legendary horsemen. They’ll take you to the Bogong High Plains, where you can visit cattlemen’s huts built in the 1850s or even take part in a summer muster – if you can "muster" the courage and stamina needed to tackle this arduous job. If you’re a novice rider or just want a quiet day of riding surrounded by beautiful scenery, there is plenty of it in Mansfield.

While Mansfield is best known as a horse lover’s paradise, it is really a paradise for all lovers of the outdoors. Mountain bike enthusiasts come to Mansfield in droves to ride on the same trails the pack horses take. Mansfield and its surrounds also serve as training grounds for Olympic level road cyclists, who take on the challenges of the steep grades and hair pin turns of the back roads to Mt. Buller and other high country peaks. In fact, these roads have such stature among cyclists that they have inspired the 7 Peaks Alpine Ascent Challenge. Riders who successfully complete 4 of the 7 designated classic climbs are in the running to win an all-expense paid trip to France for the Tour de France.

Those who come to Mansfield for a more relaxing day of cycling take the Bright to Wangaratta "Rail Trail." This 60 mile (94km), 6 hour ride is suitable for riders of all ages and levels of fitness, taking you on an almost level ride on a sealed road for cyclists and walkers only. Along the way, you will pass through pine forests and bushland, stop off at local wineries if you like and explore some relics of old Australia.

No discussion of Mansfield would be complete without mentioning that it is an important part of the Ned Kelly Trail. Ned Kelly, revered by many as a rebel and reviled by others as just a cold blooded killer, is a big part of Australian folklore. While he and his gang were on the run, the police were tipped off that they were hiding out near Mansfield. In a confrontation with the police, Ned and his gang killed three of them. This incident changed Kelly from a wanted horse thief to Australia’s most wanted criminal. A plaque on an enormous tree dubbed "The Kelly Tree" in Mansfield marks the spot believed to be where the shootings took place.

Ned Kelly

History, adventure, magnificent scenery and relaxation: What else could you want? Mansfield, a town of just 4000 on the edge of the Victorian Alps has all of these things and more. Whether you love camping out, staying in historic B&Bs or in more traditional lodgings, you can find a Mansfield accommodation to suit you and your budget. If possible, give yourself a few extra days. Once you’ve discovered Mansfield, you won’t want to leave.

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Explore the rivers, lakes and mountains in Bright
Wednesday, October 06th, 2010 /

Explore the rivers, lakes, valleys and mountains surrounding Bright and a day trip may turn into a holiday. Sports and exploration take you through a history beginning in 1824, or connect with nature to consider a history dating much further back, to the formation of alpine forests and mysterious caves. Explore by water, land or sky, but whatever your activity of choice chances are one day will not suffice.

Bright Victoria

Water ski, canoe and kayak along the rivers and lakes around Bright. These include the Ovens and Buckland rivers where instructors will guide you as to how one safely navigates the waters. Fish for trout in Lake Buffalo. Bring your own boat or go with a guide.

Keep your feet on terra firma if you prefer. Gold fever may be over, but there is still gold in them hills. You could find some for yourself by panning, though only a little. Tours take prospectors through popular panning areas while local museums tell how the gold rush affected the area and its people.

If you came with your own bike, all you might want is a map of cycle trails and the name of a good place for accessories and service. Visitors can also rent bikes suitable for all ages. There will be one for your independent rider, child tandems plus infant trailers to attach to an adult bike. Choose something for mountain or road then consult the map for the best route to take for your ability and how far you want to go.

In the sky overhead you may see them: thrill seekers, risk takers. If their bravery inspires awe, then follow their example. Head for the skies in a microlight, hang glider or paraglider. Mystic Hill marks a popular starting point for flights. You could even see the sky full of men and women on the wing during a competition, unless you are among their number.

Thrills are one thing, but sometimes small wonders are enough. Parks and forests like Buckland Valley State Forest, Mount Buffalo National Park and Alpine National Park offer opportunities to get close to Australian soil at your own pace. Then again, Mount Buffalo also boasts its share of adrenaline junkies. Abseiling and climbing are often enjoyed and even taught here. Join a class or just watch one if getting close to nature is a bit slow for your liking.

Mount Buffalo National Park

With so much activity on your holiday list of things to do, Bright accommodation and food will be a priority. Satisfy your hunger at one of many restaurants serving Asian, Iberia, Australian and other cuisines. Poplars makes a popular choice for fine dining. Stop in at Edelweiss Bakery for a quick cup of java, a sandwich or something sweet.

Food plus sport equals fatigue, so think about booking a room at one of the many facilities in and around Bright. Stay in a self-catering to make your own schedule and enjoy privacy, or to find space for a large crew of fellow travellers. Caravan parks, bed and breakfast plus hotels and motels wait to offer varying degrees of comfort and luxury. Try Ovens Valley Motor Inn if for nothing else than to see how an environmentally friendly Inn is run. Curiosity satisfied, you will likely want to stay for the perks like pool, spa and sauna.

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Revisit the Gold Rush in Beechworth
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 /

BeechworthStepping foot in Beechworth should immediately give the indication that one has somehow left the modern era and traveled back in time. As one of Victoria’s most historic and best-preserved gold mining towns, Beechworth enables visitors to really get a sense of what life was like back in the 1850s and 1860s. Besides, with over 32 buildings listed by the National Trust as both historical and cultural, the town continues to shine and illuminate from its rich, rich background.

Originally starting in 1852, the Australian gold rush arrived to the small grazing area in full force, changing not only the town’s name from Mayday Hills to Beechworth but also transforming the landscape. Soon after its discovery and with gold on people’s minds, the mining craze brought in a massive amount of people to the remote, isolated area, founding the town.

Going hand in hand with the rush, of course, were the crazy characters and gold-tinted legends that only could have occurred in Beechworth. One particular example is the Golden Horseshoes legend of 1855, where during the first election campaign, candidate Daniel Cameron rode into town on a horse with gold horseshoes. Although he the horse only walked a mile in the solid gold shoes, legend has it that the shoes weighed one ounce less once they were removed. Needless to say, Cameron won the election and the story is still commemorated in Beechworth during the Golden Horseshoes Festival on Easter weekend.

Although the rush successfully thrived for only 14 years, before it began to wither away in 1856, Beechworth continued to see its fare share of interesting characters, not to mention the extraction of over four million ounces of gold during the rush’s heyday. One notable individual is none other than infamous Bush Ranger Ned Kelly, who was tried on a few occasions in the town’s courthouse – along with his mother in one instance – for attempted murder as well as other minor crimes. In fact, the Ned Kelly weekend festival occurs every year around August.

Luckily, the town was smart enough to invest a lot gold rush money into important city infrastructure such as hospitals and buildings, allowing the continued progress of the town’s economy. Because of this, the town’s historic and cultural precincts are unmatched, with amazing 1800s architecture and beautiful parks and gardens. Not to mention that a lot of Beechworth accommodation, such as hotels and bed and breakfasts, are located in many of these ancient buildings. So, every aspect and experience during a trip to Beechworth is literally like a blast from the past.

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