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Wangaratta in Victoria’s north-east is quite possibly the perfect regional Australian holiday package.
Located an entirely-doable-for-a-short-break 2.5-hours’ drive north of Melbourne (along the super-fast M31 between the Victorian capital and Sydney), the city offers a diversity of experiences that will keep everyone thoroughly entertained.
Foodies can indulge in the bounty of the Milawa Gourmet Region and King Valley — both of which are an easy drive from Wangaratta. History buffs will love following in the footsteps of Ned Kelly — Australia’s most famous bushranger. And outdoor enthusiasts can hit the hiking trails of Victoria’s High Country, or spend time on the Ovens and King rivers. Boating, kayaking, rafting, and fishing are all on the table.
All in all, you’re in for a swell time in this neck of the Aussie woods. Allow at least three full days to do the region justice.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Wangaratta.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in and around Wangaratta:
Top 10 Things to Do in WANGARATTA, BEECHWORTH, GLENROWAN, and KING VALLEY, Australia in 2025
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1. Do a First Nations cultural walk
Wangaratta was established in 1848, although European settlement of the region can be traced back another ten years. The city’s prosperous early history as a grazing service centre (and gold rush hub following the discovery of gold at nearby Beechworth) is reflected in the facades of the period buildings around town. The Wangaratta Heritage Walk Map is a handy guide to the city’s historic buildings, including the magnificently restored old Public Library, the old Post Office, St Patrick’s Church, Royal Victoria Hotel and Pinsent Hotel. They’re all within easy walking distance of each other.
While you have your walking shoes on, head to the northern corner of the CBD and follow the Bullawah Cultural Trail. The trail was created to share the local stories of the Pangerang people. You can download a map and do a self-guided stroll along the trail, which is signposted with informative interpretive boards.
2. Visit the Wangaratta Art Gallery
Wangaratta’s arts precinct is clustered around the intersection of Ovens and Ford Streets. Here you’ll find the excellent Wangaratta Art Gallery — housed in the former Presbyterian Church, which dates back to 1899. There are two well-curated halls that display the gallery’s collection of paintings, textile works, sculptures and Indigenous works. The emphasis on textiles reflects the city’s rich history as a centre for industrial fabric production. The gallery also hosts touring exhibitions.
3. Learn some local history
You’ll discover a true historic gem on Ford Street — the old Fire Station, which is now the home of the Wangaratta Historical Society Museum. It’s worth a visit just to see the building itself, but the collection housed inside offers another intriguing opportunity to step back in time. The trick is gaining access. The museum is officially open only on Sunday afternoons, but there are volunteers there at other times. If the door is open, stick your head in and say hi.
4. Get on the trail of the Kelly gang
One of the big historic attractions of this part of Australia is the chance to walk in the footsteps of Ned Kelly — the infamous Australian bushranger who roamed these parts in the late 1800s. Wangaratta makes a great base for driving the Ned Kelly Touring Route, which encompasses several heritage towns and significant sites. The Kelly gang’s last stand took place in Glenrowan on the 27th of June 1880, and today the town is packed with themed attractions — including a six-metre-high figure of Ned in his famous homemade armour. Don’t miss seeing the newly opened and excellent Ned Kelly Discovery Hub. Kelly was captured and later hanged at Old Melbourne Gaol. He was just 25. The armour itself is on permanent display at the State Library Victoria in Melbourne.
A lesser known name associated with Kelly was Harry Power — the so-called ‘gentleman bushranger’ — who mentored the young Ned (for want of a better word). While you’re exploring the King Valley, pay a visit to Powers Lookout for stunning views of the valley and the Victorian Alps. This is said to be the site of one of Harry’s hideouts. There are excellent interpretive boards that detail his story, along with picnic tables and facilities.
5. Dine on fine fare
Wangaratta likes to eat well — and given its proximity to the mouth-watering delights of the Milawa Gourmet Region and the King Valley, that makes complete sense. There are many cafes and restaurants across town, but here are two highlights to check out: Rinaldo’s Casa Cucina and Gateway Restaurant.
Rinaldo’s is located in Wangaratta’s Ovens Riverside Precinct — which includes a boardwalk along the Ovens River and integrated access to the Bullawah Cultural Trail. The restaurant offers fine Italian cuisine — a nod to the region’s past, but more on that in a moment. There’s an emphasis on locally sourced produce and a relaxed informal setting. The handmade gelato is reason enough to drop by.
Gateway Restaurant at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway is another must-try. It showcases local produce and suggests local wine pairings to go with your meal. The presentation is impeccable.
6. Sample the wines of the King Valley
You can join the dots on Wangaratta’s Italian heritage during a visit to the magnificent King Valley. Immigrant Italian tobacco growers established themselves along the King River after World War II, but the impending demise of the industry in the 1980s and 90s saw many convert their fields to vineyards. Today the region is renowned for its Mediterranean-style wines.
Top King Valley wineries to visit include Pizzini Wines — wellknown for its sangioveses, zesty pinot grigios, and less common nebbiolos. Check out the distinctive tobacco drying sheds, which are slowly being repurposed as tasting rooms. Chrismont Wines at Cheshunt offers sweeping views from its hillside cellar door and a super-stylish Italian eatery. You’ll need a car and a full day to really give the King Valley a good go.
7. Taste-test Milawa’s best
To sample a whole bunch of delicious local delights, the Milawa Gourmet Region makes for an easy afternoon of grape and gourmet grazing — and it’s less than 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Wangaratta. There are eight wineries in the region — including the sublime Sam Miranda Wines, which features another architecturally stunning cellar door. Our recommendation: order a bottle of Sam Miranda Prosecco and a tasting platter of cured meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables and olives, and head for the lawn chairs.
Local gourmet food producers you need to become acquainted with include the Milawa Cheese Company, Milawa Mustards, and EV Olives.
8. Cycle the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
Burn off all those extra calories by exploring further afield on a bike. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is a 100-kilometre sealed off-road biking trail that will take you from Wangaratta all the way to the historic towns of Beechworth or beautiful Bright. The trail is suitable for riders of all ages and skill levels.
9. Shop at the market
Pick up a unique souvenir of your visit to the region at the Wangaratta Community Market, which is held every Sunday at Avian Park Raceway. It’s a one-stop-shop for fresh produce, gourmet food products, handmade wares and preloved treasures. Who knows what you might uncover.
10. Try a beaut local brew
As you explore the King Valley, make a stop at the characterful King River Brewing microbrewery. Its taproom is located in an old tobacco drying kiln (yes, these guys turned to hops rather than grapes), and everything is brewed on site. Order a tasting paddle and one of the four sensational wood-fired pizzas on offer, and retire to the garden to put the world to rights.
Need a place to stay?
Wangaratta Gateway
Wangaratta Gateway is a bit like a giant box of chocolates. While the exterior doesn’t give away too much, hidden inside you’ll discover a range of decadent treats — including some of the most stylish guest rooms we’ve seen anywhere in regional Australia (or its capital cities for that matter!).
The hotel offers guests a AAA rated deluxe 4.5-star hotel experience, and a superb location adjacent to the heart of town. There are 77 contemporary suites and apartments on offer. Request a newly refurbished studio spa apartment, luxury king suite or corporate deluxe suite. You won’t be sorry!
We mentioned the hotel’s in-house restaurant — Gateway — earlier, which is not to be missed. The superb menu is matched with a level of service that again, wouldn’t be out of place in any of Australia’s top hotels.
Amenities at the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway include a central outdoor heated pool and spa, fitness centre, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Enjoy!
The writer travelled as a guest of Choice Hotels.
Browse our range of Victoria tours and experiences here.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the best things to do in Wangaratta? We would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Cover image: Visit Victoria
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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