Victorian High Country — Bright, Beechworth & Milawa
Full day · ~13 hours
A big-sky day in the northeast ranges. We make the long run up to Bright for the tree-lined river and (in April–May) the famous autumn colour, take in heritage Beechworth — Ned Kelly country — and graze the Milawa gourmet region's cheese and cellar doors on the way back. It's a long drive each way, so we start early and you relax in the back.
Why it's famous
Discover High Country.
Victoria's High Country is where the state climbs into the foothills of the Australian Alps. In the northeast, gold-rush towns, gourmet farm country and river valleys sit beneath granite plateaus and snow-capped peaks, which makes it one of the most rewarding long day trips you can take from Melbourne.
Beechworth is one of Victoria's best-preserved gold-rush towns, with heritage streetscapes and a historic precinct where Ned Kelly faced more than 40 hearings and trials. Nearby, Milawa sits at the heart of what is billed as Australia's first gourmet region, home to cheese makers, cellar doors and producers big and small.
Further up the Ovens Valley, Bright is a riverside town in the foothills of the Alps, known for its tree-lined streets, mountain views, food and wine, and outdoor adventures. Weather permitting, the road climbs on to Mount Buffalo, one of Australia's oldest national parks, where a granite plateau and a 200-metre cliff look out over the valley.
What you'll see & do
- Walk Beechworth's gold-rush heritage streetscapes
- Step into the Beechworth Courthouse, where Ned Kelly's story unfolded
- Browse more than 30,000 objects at the Burke Museum, one of Australia's oldest regional museums
- Graze cheese, wine and local produce in the Milawa Gourmet Region
- Lunch in Bright and stroll beside the Ovens River
- See Bright's tree-lined streets turn red and gold in autumn
- Stand on the granite edge of The Gorge Lookout on Mount Buffalo
- Spot the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet and nearby waterfalls
Why you'll love it
- Beechworth's gold-rush streetscape and famous bakery
- Milawa gourmet region — cheese, mustards and wine
- Bright's autumn colour or summer river swims
- The alpine foothills drive — Victoria at its most scenic
$680 AUD — total. No hidden anything.
One fixed price per vehicle (up to 7 people). Here's exactly what that covers:
- Fixed price in AUDThe price you see is the total — per vehicle, up to 7 people
- No hidden chargesNo booking fees, no card surcharges, no surprises
- Tolls, fuel & parking includedEverything the car needs is in the price
- No driver or waiting chargesYour driver and reasonable waiting are included
- Hotel / home pickup & drop-offDoor-to-door across Melbourne — included free
- FREE airport pickup with any tourBook a tour and we collect you from the airport at no charge
- Pay your wayIn advance or any time before your trip ends — PayID, card or cash
See it on film
Official videos
One Perfect Day - Beechworth
Official video · Explore Beechworth
Discover Milawa: A Gourmet Journey through Victoria's Culinary Heart
Official video · Visit Wangaratta
Visit Bright and Surrounds
Official video · Bright & Surrounds
Your day, stop by stop
What we’ll do.
Times are guidance — we adjust on the day to your group’s pace.
Send this itinerary to your group:
- 06
06:30
Pickup from your home
Early start — it's around 3 hours each way, so we beat the day.
- 09
09:30
Beechworth heritage town
Gold-rush granite streetscape, the historic precinct and the Ned Kelly story — about 90 minutes.
One of Victoria's most important gold-rush towns, with a historic precinct that includes the Burke Museum, the Telegraph Station and the 1858 courthouse where Ned Kelly and his gang faced more than 40 hearings and trials.
Official website ↗🎟️ Booking recommended
Kelly Trials Exhibition runs in hosted sessions; buy tickets online or at the visitor centre if you want to go in
- 11
11:30
Milawa gourmet region
Cheese factory, mustard, honey and cool-climate cellar doors — graze at your pace.
Billed as Australia's first gourmet region, centred on Milawa, Oxley and nearby townships, with cheese makers, cellar doors such as Brown Brothers, and local producers.
Official website ↗ - 13
13:30
Bright — lunch by the Ovens River
Tree-lined alpine town; riverside walk and lunch. Peak autumn colour late April–May.
A riverside town in the foothills of the Australian Alps, renowned for its tree-lined streets, mountain views, local food and wine, and boutique shops.
Official website ↗ - 15
15:00
Mount Buffalo road (optional)
Weather permitting — granite tors, the gorge lookout and big alpine views.
One of Australia's oldest national parks, protected since 1898: a granite plateau with The Gorge Lookout perched on a 200-metre cliff, waterfalls and the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet. Day visits are free.
Official website ↗ - 16
16:00
Return drive
Comfortable run back down the Hume — relax, charge your phone, photos sorted.
- 19
19:30
Drop-off at home
Door-to-door return.
Getting there
How far is it?
Every numbered stop on one map — shown from the CBD for scale. Your day is door-to-door from your home, we handle all the driving, tolls and parking. Tap the map for Google Maps.
Tickets & bookings
Book your tickets before the day.
Attraction entry isn’t included in the fare — buy it directly from the official sites below (no mark-up, no middleman). Tell us your session times and we’ll plan the driving around them.
Beechworth heritage town
Kelly Trials Exhibition runs in hosted sessions; buy tickets online or at the visitor centre if you want to go in
explorebeechworth.com.au
What’s included
- Premium 8-seat MPV for the whole day
- Driver, fuel and all road tolls
- Door-to-door pickup and drop-off
- Up to 13 hours from pickup to drop-off (long-distance day)
Not included
- Meals, tastings and produce purchases
- Any museum or attraction entry
- Winter chains / snow-resort access (quoted separately in season)
Common questions
Good to know.
- When is the autumn colour in Bright?
- Roughly mid-April to late May — it shifts each year with the weather. Tell us your dates and we'll give you an honest read on timing.
- Can you do the snow in winter?
- Mount Hotham and Falls Creek are reachable but need chains and a resort-entry fee, and the day runs longer. We quote winter alpine runs individually — message us on WhatsApp.
- It's a long way — can we stay overnight instead?
- Yes. Many groups prefer a two-day trip up here. We quote multi-day with an overnight driver arrangement on request.
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Ready for High Country?
Send us your preferred date and group size — we’ll confirm availability within a business day.
Request this tourOr chat on WhatsApp