A gastronomic tour of Victoria's High Country will eventually lead you to the bountiful, bustling town of Myrtleford, whether you arrive on bicycle via the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, or by car on a tour of the Great Alpine Road.
Surrounded by rich alluvial flats, Myrtleford is home to vineyards and farms selling vegetables, berries, nuts, olives and beef. Gentle bike paths lead to farm gates just inviting you to fill your baskets with freshly picked produce and gourmet delights.
For visitors who prefer to let the experts do the cooking, Gapsted Wines have a gastronomic restaurant serving delicious meals matched to their house wines. Back in the village, the local bounty is prepared imaginatively at a gamut of unassuming eateries turning out delicious creations. Wine lovers will enjoy a stop at the Billy Button and Bush Track Cellar Door too – there’s something new and interesting for even the most discerning of wine palates to explore.
It is worth dismounting from the bike or getting out of the car to head off on foot along the Discovery Trail, which takes in Myrtleford's tobacco-growing and gold-mining past. The bank of the Ovens River is an idyllic place to sit and rest and admire the dramatic backdrop of Mount Buffalo and the Alps.
Myrtleford ups the ante over the March Labour Day long weekend when the Myrtleford Festival is celebrated, while the Myrtleford and District Agricultural Pastoral Show is an October highlight.
Myrtleford is almost 300 kilometres from Melbourne, or around three hours along the Hume Highway and the Great Alpine Road.
