11 best things to do in North East Victoria

The North East is a popular holiday destination in Victoria. Tourism North East features mountains and rivers, wineries and breweries and unforgettable Alpine scenery in the high country region.

You will find everything from Silo Art in small towns to attractions along the Murray River and outdoor activities in the Alpine Valleys. The North East is best accessed via the Hume Freeway from Melbourne or the Great Alpine Road in the East of the state. North East Victoria attractions and spectacular landscapes are around every corner.

Map of North East Victoria

So where is North East Victoria? Our state covers such a large area and defining areas can be difficult. We have included this map below to help you easily plan your visit to North East Victoria.

Things to do in North East Victoria

When you explore Victoria you want a great mixture of activities to keep all travellers in your group entertained. With a plethora of things to do in North East Victoria, you will easily find something for everyone.

Chiltern Lockup in North East Vic

In the historical town of Chiltern just off the Hume Highway, you can visit the old Chiltern Police lockup.

This small 2-cell lockup was built around the time of the gold rush in 1875 and was once earmarked as a place to hold Ned Kelly if he was caught in the area.

You can borrow the key from the Chiltern Visitor Information Centre and let yourself in for a look It is a stark reminder of what it would have been like to be locked up back in the day.

You will find some information boards inside that tell you a little about the history of the lockup. Chiltern is one of the most popular small towns in North East Victoria.

The Ned Kelly Trail

The Ned Kelly Trail is a popular tourist attraction in Victoria, Australia. The trail takes in sites associated with the Kelly’s including the rural towns of Glenrowan, Beveridge, Avenal, Mansfield, Beechworth and the Old Melbourne Jail.

The trail is lined with historical sites associated with the life of Ned Kelly, including his childhood home, the site of his first robbery, the cemetery where his mother and father are buried and more. The Kelly Gang are closely associated with North-Eastern Victoria.

Discover more: Explore the towns on the Great Alpine Road

North East Victoria Silo Art Trail

The North East Victoria Silo Art Trail is a unique way to explore the small town of Tungamah, St James, Devenish and Goormabat. The trail features murals painted on silos in the towns celebrating local farming, industry, famous figures and war.

These artworks on the Northeast Victoria Victorian Silo Art trail have breathed new life back into some of these dying small towns that for so long were heavily reliant on farming and wheat production.

The trail provides a great opportunity to get off the Hume Highway and see some of these small towns of the north.

De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate

De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate is located in the heart of North East Victoria. This might just be the ultimate location in Victoria for wine lovers. The estate Rutherglen is housed in repurposed wine cellars that were built in the mid-1880s.

It now houses the De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate Cellar Door and the Tuileries Complex. This complex boasts an a la carte restaurant, outdoor courtyard, luxury accommodation and conference facilities.

De Bortoli has a long history in Australia stretching back nearly 100 years, and today, it produces some of Australia’s best wines.

The cellar door offers wine sales to the public, where you will be taught and educated about the wines you are trying. Why not stay the night at De Bortoli Estate in Rutherglen?

Everyone LOVES a road trip: Use our easy drive North East Victorian road trip itinerary for an epic journey!

Grab a pie at Gum Tree Bakery

The Gum Tree Bakery started out as a small business in Yackandandah, selling pies and cakes. The food became so popular that the bakery expanded into other nearby surrounding towns of Wodonga, Beechworth and Bright.

The standout products are the famous Gum Tree Pies, which have won gold, silver & bronze medals at the Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition.

You will find a wide range of pies on sale, such as lamb and mint jelly, Thai green curry, steak and Guinness, and minced meat. Yackandandah is one of the prettiest Victorian country towns near Bright.

Drive the Great Alpine Road – Victoria’s high country

The Great Alpine Road traverses Victoria from the North of the state to the South of the state. A drive from Beechworth to Omeo on a Great Alpine Road itinerary will be a thrilling and breathtaking experience.

The Great Alpine Road Victoria is one of the most beautiful roads in the world, and it’s easy to see why. as it cuts through the Alpine National Park. The road winds its way through some of Australia’s most stunning mountain ranges, culminating in spectacular views of the Alpine countryside at Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain.

Whether you’re looking to take a leisurely road trip or celebrate a special occasion on this incredible route, there’s no better way to experience all that North East Victoria has to offer.

Need summer holiday plans? We have you covered with the best places for a summer holiday in Victoria.

North East Victoria attractions – Mount Buffalo

Mt Buffalo is an imposing peak in the North East Victoria region, standing at 1,267 metres above sea level. It’s a popular destination for bushwalkers and day-trippers who can explore its lookouts, Heritage-listed Chalet and rugged undulating terrain while staying in Bright and surrounds..

Several waterfalls and lakes are located on the mountain, making it a great place to spend a day in nature. In wintertime, visitors can enjoy the snow gums and wildflowers that grow on the mountain. The drive to the top is memorable, with many places to stop and see the views over the north.

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Lake Hume Weir

Lake Hume Weir straddles the Victorian – New South Wales border near Wodonga. The Lake Hume Weir is popular for skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, fishing and jet skiing. There are plenty of places to stay on the banks of Lake Hume that allow you to launch your boat and berth your boat on the bank.

The Weir Wall at Lake Hume makes the tart of the famous Murray River that runs all the way to the ocean in South Australia passing through Echuca, Swan Hill and many other Victorian towns.

At the Lake Hume Weir wall, there is a picnic area with a few outdoor displays and a walking path that takes you across the wall. There are a number of viewing areas and platforms on the wall where you can see the small power station on the wall.

Victorian weekend getaways: All the very best things to do in Bright

Things to do in Victoria North East -Have a beer at Bright Brewery

Bright Brewery has already made a big impact on the local beer scene. The brewery was founded by two couples in 2005 who had a passion for beer, Bright’s spectacular surroundings and its environment.

They have now created some of the best beers in Victoria, that is now available all over the country. The brewery in Bright, North East Victoria has a core range of 5 traditional beers which are complimented by different seasonal beers throughout the year.

Some of their specialty season brews that have been created include Chocolate Jaffa Stout, Pale Passionfruit Ale, Cherry Cream Milkshake Ale and more.

You can grab a sampling paddle at the brewery and try some of the beers on offer. All this beer is complemented by a menu featuring platters, pizzas, burgers and more.

Bright is one of the most popular places to visit in North Victoria. Book a stay in Bright today. Don’t forget to check out the many cellar doors and frame gates in the area featuring local produce.

Things to do in Beechworth – see the Historical sites

Beechworth is a charming Victorian town with a rich history, and the Historical Precinct is a great place to start your exploration. The Historical Courthouse where The Beechworth Historic Courthouse saw over 40 trials for the Kelly family, with additional trials for Kelly supporters Ned Kelly was once put on trial.

This courthouse was where it all started for Ned Kelly as a bushranger after his mother was sentenced to 3 years in jail. Be sure to take a Ned Kelly or Echos of History walking tour through Beechworth.

The Burke Museum has an eclectic display of items relating to Beechworths history while the Telegraph Station is a beautifully preserved Gold Era building where the internet of the day was housed. This precinct of buildings all in a row are some of the nicest gold-era buildings you will find anywhere.

In Beechworth, there are several romantic things to do, such as taking a leisurely stroll through the historic streets and enjoying a candlelit dinner at one of the charming local restaurants.

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Mountain biking in Omeo

Omeo is a location to keep an eye on for all-mountain bike lovers. This small Gippsland town is set to be one of Victoria’s next big mountain bike destinations.

121km of singletrack will start and finish about 200m from the main street of Omeo. The trails will take in Mount Sam and Mount Mesley, which overlook the town.

The trails will have big, long descents with 400-500 metres of vertical drop. The first stage of this whole plan has been finished with a pump track and skill course opened at Livingstone Park.

The first 55 kilometres of the trail could be opened towards the end of 2022. In the meantime, enjoy the Alpine National Park, The Oriental Claims Area, the local history museum and a meal at the Golden Age Hotel.

Omeo is popular as a staging point for days spent on the slopes at Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham.

What’s on in North East Victoria this weekend?

What’s on in North East Victoria this weekend includes various outdoor activities, such as hiking, wine tasting, and farmers markets. You can check the regional tourism board sites such as Visit Bright, Visit Albury Wodonga, Tourism North East and Visit Melbourne, all have events listed/

A road trip in the northeast of Victoria is a great way to spend a weekend or a week exploring this amazing part of the state and some of the cute small towns of Victoria.

In the northeast, numerous things exist, such as exploring historic landmarks, indulging in regional cuisine, and participating in outdoor activities. Visit NE Victoria today and experience some of the best regional towns in Victoria,

We hope this article from us here at Explore Victoria has inspired you to embark on your adventure in Victoria, Australia, from popular caravan parks and pristine beaches to drives along the Great Ocean Road. Enjoy weekends away on the Mornington Peninsula and discover the cosmopolitan charm of Melbourne, Victoria, with a range of experiences for every traveller who wants to visit Victoria.

Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of the Grampians, the cultural richness of Ballarat, or the autumn colours of Bright and Northern Victoria, there’s no shortage of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Victoria.

Even if you love exploring Gippsland or driving the Great Alpine Road, Victoria has something special for you, and there is so much more for you to discover. If you are looking for more incredible and best places to visit in Melbourne or more travel in Victoria destinations, Explore Victoria has some more articles below for you to check out. Expand your horizons and get out and about in Victoria, Australia, for an unforgettable experience. 

If you have an idea, attraction, or top spot in Victoria, please comment or email us at contact@explorevictoriaaustralia.com.

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