Wangaratta is a wonderful base for a holiday in Victoria’s High Country, boasting fine restaurants and excellent accommodation options among elegant and historic architecture.
The town is set astride the confluence of the King and Ovens rivers. It was founded in 1838 on lands belonging to the indigenous Pangerang people. Today, there are some fine examples of Victorian and Federation architecture. Walk around town and admire Pinsent Hotel, St Patrick’s Church, the Exhibitions Gallery, Holy Trinity Cathedral and more.
When you’re done, enjoy the food and wines of the region in one of the well-regarded restaurants in the centre of town.
And if you’re in town for the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz in November, don’t miss what is widely considered to be Australia’s foremost jazz and blues event, attracting 200 artists and 25,000 music lovers every year.
Getting to Wangaratta is fairly straightforward: it’s just off the Hume Highway with driving times to Melbourne of under three hours and to Sydney of six hours. Alternatively, you can relax and catch a train from Melbourne.
Wine lovers will want to check out the wineries of the King Valley, famous for its Italian varietals such as Sangiovese and Barbera, or Rutherglen, which is known for its sweet fortified wines.
The more outward bound will be off to enjoy Mount Buffalo for its views or the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, which starts in Wangaratta and ends over 80km away in Bright, near Mount Buffalo.
