Murray to Mountains 'Gourmet Heaven' 2wheel rail trail touring
Historic towns, wineries, numerous gastro temptations along the Murray to Mountains rail trail, includes cheese factories, chocolate shops, olive, honey and berry farms, the Pedal to Produce scheme, cafes and restaurants, plus a host of natural alpine attractions. They have helped this network of trails to become known Australia wide as a ‘touring Mecca’ ideal for family 2wheel touring!
The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail network features the following excellent rides:
- Wangaratta to Beechworth – 41km
- Wangaratta to Milawa Gourmet Region – 15km
- Gapsted to Bright – 38km
- Wangaratta to Bright – 83km
- Rutherglen to Corowa – 11km
Wangaratta – Milawa – Beechworth
The newly opened 15km path from Wangaratta to Milawa via Oxley leads you the gourmet district made famous by Brown Brothers and Milawa Cheeses. Here a series of quiet back roads connects you with the main rail trail up to picturesque Beechworth, which the country’s best preserved Gold Rush Town that has so much of Ned Kelly’s history presented in the town’s museum and courthouse buildings.
The following selected destinations are in Alphabetical A-Z order by town name come highly recommended. .
Armour Motor Inn
Beechworth
Beechworth, Victoria
This very central motel has 20 comfortable suites and is right next to the picturesque Lake Sambell. "The Armour" has a rich history from the Ned Kelly days and is next door to Beechworth’s historic Hotel Nicholas and several doors down from the town’s Bakery.
Beechworth Bakery
Beechworth
Melbourne, Victoria
Many make the trip up the hill just for this experience. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks and early dinners seven days a week. Here you can enjoy perhaps their delicious pies, mouth watering cakes or sandwiches – not to forget a great coffee.
Beechworth Honey
Beechworth
Beechworth, Victoria
Discover the Beechworth Honey experience and story of how the Goldsworthy family have been making honey for over four generations. Here you can see live bees in a hive busy at work up close, enjoy an amazing audio visual tour, browse through the shop and experience their honey, which The Age rates as an exceptional 8/10 honey treat.
Beechworth Info Centre
Bechworth
Victoria
Here you can get the latest and book accommodation, Ned Kelly history tours, Pedal to Produce and local travel info.
Beechworth Pantry
Beechworth
Beechworth, Victoria
This gourmet delicatessen and very good cafe is renowned for its coffee, antipasto, cheeses, gourmet pies, Mediterranean and Greek platters and ploughman's lunches served with a delicious range of sauces and dressings.
Beechworth Provender
Beechworth
Beechworth, Victoria
They have has fantastic selection of north-east Victorian wines, including famed muscats and tokays. This is a must stop shop for anyone interested in gourmet temptations such as pickles and chutneys or locally produced olive oils.
Bridge Road Brewers
Beechworth
Beechworth, Victoria
One of Australia's leading craft brewers, brewer Ben Kraus has racked up some of this country's top awards for his refreshing porter, lager and wheat beer ales They also have a very tasty range of authentic gourmet Italian pizzas oven baked in the micro brewery.
Provenance Restaurant
Victoria
The Age Good Food Guide's country restaurant of the year, Provenance is a foodie's heaven.An Age review said, "It is one of the new breed of country restaurants that isn't tied to antiquated notions of Australian food.Chef Michael Ryan champions local produce with a global mindset apart from the obvious Mediterranean influence." They also have luxury B&B style accomodation.
The Old Priory
Beechworth
Beechworth, Victoria
Nestled amongst the grandeur of an old nunnery, the Priory offers unique charm and hidden mystique. It has comfortable share facilities ideal for groups, wholesome country cooking and recreational amenities.
Sports Power Corowa
Corowa
Victoria
For Rutherglen- Corowa trail riders why not start here where you can get some expert advice on how to plan your winery and gourmet trip, check your maps and have any last minute repairs or adjustments made before you head across the Mighty Murray.
Brown Brothers Winery
Milawa
Milawa, Victoria
Take time here to refresh your memory of old favourites, like Orange Muscat and Flora or some of the aged red wines; or meet some new Italian or Spanish grape varieties, such as Barbera or Graciano. The Epicurean Centre – just a few steps from the cellar door – is a great spot for lunch, early or late.
EV Olives
Markwood
Milawa, Victoria
EV stands for Extra Virgin, and here Victorian's North East sub-alpine valleys provide an ideal environment for growing high quality olives in fertile soils, abundant water with four distinct Mediterranean style seasons resulting in an world class oil. Drop in for a taste and get some good oil for yourself.
Lindenwarrah Country House Hotel
Milawa
Milawa, Victoria
Stunning 4.5 star winery retreat with a host of pampering features including 38 deluxe rooms and two suites with fire places, lounge and spas. Restaurant Merlot serves regional dishes designed to profile local produce and you can enjoy wine tasting from their own cellar door.
Milawa Cheese Company
Milawa
Milawa, Victoria
Producers of award winning cow and goat milk cheeses, along with speciality artisan breads which are baked daily. The Cheese Factory cafe's menu focuses on regional produce to provide a delicious snack or a more substantial meal.
Milawa Gourmet Hotel
Milawa
Milawa, Victoria
Established in 1865, this authentic Australian barn style corner pub is surrounded by vineyards. Mine hosts Stephen and Kerri Collins put on a wide selection of pub style meals using fresh local produce and they stock a good selection of local wines.