Am planning a family roadtrip down to Melbourne from Sydney in a couple of months time with wife and young child.
Was planning on stopping overnight in Rutherglen on the way down, so that is one way covered.
Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stop over on way back. I am tossing up:
- beechworth
- heathcote
- king valley
Understand Beechworth is a very pretty town. But not sure the quality of the cellar doors there, pretty sure giaconda isn't an option.
We're not just interested in a cellar door or 2. At least equally important is great scenery, good food and nice towns.
Beechworth is lovely. When I moved to the Barossa a year or so ago I did the same thing. Stopped in Beechworth for two days then went to the King Valley (onwards to Adelaide for me via Swan Hill & Mildura but you get the idea).
Definately organise to bowl in and see Keppell at Savaterre and Castagna beforehand. We ate at a place called GiGi's which was excellent....good winelist too.
I love the King Valley for its spectacular scenery and the variety of wines. For the scenery you have to go into the valley proper, south of Whitfield. The wineries to try would be Pizzini, Dal Zotto and Chrismont. They all do Italian varieties like Barbera, Sangiovese, Nebiollo, Marzemino, Arneis, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco etc.
If you had the time you could drive cross country out of Melbourne and come into the King Valley from the south, via Bonnie Doon (how’s the serenity), Mansfield and Whitfield. The Mansfield to Whitfield road is a great drive if you enjoy driving and the view over the valley from Power’s Lookout is superb - if you know your Ned Kelly history you will have heard of Power’s Lookout.
A couple of the wineries have restaurants for lunch or you could continue north into Milawa, where you can also do some cheese tasting. From Milawa it is not far to Beechworth, and along the way Gapsted winery also does a great selection of wines and also good food. So you could still overnight at Beechworth and do a bit of tasting there too.
Sharkey
I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
I would try Beechworth, really nice town with good accomodation and food options, others have referred to the Beechworth wineries, spent a few day there with my partner earlier this year who has proclaimed it as her favorite town in Victoria.....The King Valley is much better for wineries however does take some driving around with no real hub.
I've heard great things about Beechworth; it's supposed to be beautiful with great cafe's etc. Plus it's got Giaconda there
Personally, I love the King Valley - going there is like driving out of Australia straight into Italy, except without the crazy drivers that change lanes like Italian Governments
If you do try the King Valley, there's Pizzini, Dal Zotto and Chrismont all worth checking out - the restaurant at Dal Zotto is also incredible
down to Melbourne from Sydney in a couple of months time with wife and young child.
