Colours of Autumn in the Victorian Alpine Region

After breakfast we travel back across the valley to Bright where we will be joined by our local guide who will take us for a highlights tour of Bright and Porepunkah. We then travel out through the National Trust registered Wandiligong Valley to the village of Wandiligong viewing orchards, tobacco farms, nut orchards and autumn colours of the towering Wandi Poplars along the way. We call in at Nightingale Brothers, the producers of crisp juicy apples, chestnuts, and persimmons. 5 Acres Bar and Kitchen provides the perfect setting for lunch before heading back into Bright to experience the delightful Elm Haven Garden. Back across in Myrtleford there will be time to take a stroll in town or walk all or part of the Myrtleford Mosaic Trail. This evening, we enjoy dinner at Club Savoy.

Overnight Myrtleford: Golden Leaf Motel

Today we head off early along the Happy Valley Road to the village of Mount Beauty, along the way taking in the beautiful vistas of the valley and surrounding mountains. On arrival we enjoy a cuppa and take in the scenery from the shores of the Mount Beauty Pondage. At the Mount Beauty Information Centre and Museum, we enjoy a talk on the history of the Kiewa Valley Hydro scheme before a self-guided tour through the museum. We then make our way along the Tawonga Gap Road enjoying stops at Sullivans Lookout and Tawonga Gap Lookout to take in the magical autumn vistas. At the majestic Red Stag Deer and Emu Farm we receive an introduction talk on the 70-acre farm before enjoying a light lunch while taking in the stunning alpine views including the beautiful Mount Buffalo National Park. Following lunch there will be time to browse the shop and chance to feed, touch and learn about red deer, emus, goats and ostriches. Its then back to Myrtleford to catch up with our local historian for an overview of the tobacco growing industry. Starting at the Old School Museum which provides an interesting insight into the township and tobacco industry which was driven mostly by the large number of Italian migrants who settled down in this region in the 1920’s. Our day complete and after a rest back at the motel we meet up for dinner.

Overnight Myrtleford: Golden Leaf Motel

Today we travel back across to Bright where we take a look through the Bright and District Historical Society Museum situated in the heritage listed old Bright Railway Station. We then take some time to enjoy the Alan Findlay Memorial Gala Day with markets, live music in the streets, the unique shops and meeting the local characters. Later in the afternoon we head to our last stop for the day which is at the Australian Pumpkin Seed Company which specialises specifically in growing a special variety of heirloom pumpkin originating in the founding family’s homeland Slovenia. After a relaxing drive back to Myrtleford we enjoy a freshen up before heading down to the Savoy Club for dinner.

Overnight Myrtleford: Golden Leaf Motel

This morning, we travel up to Beechworth and meet up with our local historian at the Town Hall Gardens Rotunda before enjoying our Gold Rush Walking Tour. On the completion of our tour, we enjoy a cuppa by the coach in the parkland alongside the Beechworth Tourist Centre. We then tour the Old Beechworth Gaol, one of Australia’s most significant post-European cultural sites. Its role in the chain of events that led to the execution of Ned Kelly is significant as it housed Ned’s mother, Ellen Kelly, many of the Kelly sympathisers and Ned himself, alongside his brother Dan and the rest of the Kelly gang. We then break for some free time in town to enjoy browsing through some of the unique shops and purchase lunch from one of the many eateries including the iconic Beechworth Bakery. This afternoon on our return to Myrtleford we stop by Gapsted Winery and Cellar Door for tastings and yummy cheese platters to enjoy while admiring the striking views of the Alpine Valley. After a relaxing afternoon we arrive back at the motel with time to relax before our a pre dinner drink and our farewell dinner.

Overnight Myrtleford: Golden Leaf Motel