The hamlet of Stanley was once a bustling gold mining town during the 1850’s. The town had a number of hotels, a bakery, general store, boot maker, carpenter, butcher, saw mill, brewery and inn.
Today, Stanley has a general store and an inn, which stands on the original site of the old Star Hotel. In season there is a delicious array of local produce – apples, nuts and berries can be purchased from roadside stalls in and around Stanley.
A stroll down High Street is a delightful way to learn a little of the history of Yackandandah and takes only 20 minutes or so. Start at the school opposite the shire offices, and looking at sites on both sides of High Street, follow its gentle fall, to the end at Williams Street or walk a little further to the old stone bridge. The Yackandandah area was settled in about 1837, principally as large pastoral runs. A village began in the early 1850's with the gold rush. Most of the notable buildings date from the 20 years or so after the first land sales of early 1857.
Yackandandah’s wide tree-lined main street is distinctive with large English trees that date back to the 19th century. Verandas with wide awnings, tea houses, bakeries, galleries, and specialty craft, antique and collectable shops are all a feature of this historic town, including a couple of country pubs and gracious churches. Many buildings, sites, trees and the commercial premises of town are now listed by the Australian Heritage Commission, Heritage Victoria and the National Trust.
Today Chiltern has a tranquil atmosphere and life proceeds at a more leisurely pace. The town's heritage is yours to explore with many buildings retaining their historic integrity. The town has been used as a movie set for a number of major films, needing very few 'props' to recreate the required atmosphere, 21 buildings are registered or owned by the National Trust.
Attractions in town include Lake Anderson, Lakeview Homestead, Grapevine Museum and Star Theatre, Athenaeum Museum, Stephen's Motor Museum, Federal Standard Newspaper office and Dow's Pharmacy to name just a few. The recently proclaimed Chiltern Box-Ironbark National Park nearly encircles the town and contains a wide range of bushwalks and excellent flora displays during spring and early summer. Chiltern is an ideal base from which to explore the Rutherglen and Barnawartha wineries. Just a little further afield are Lake Hume and the shops and places of interest in Albury/Wodonga.
Visit one of the oldest wine growing areas in Australia, with a continuous and proud family tradition for the production of premium wines with a unique regional character. Rutherglen Muscat’s and Tokays of international fame are fast being approached by table wines, reds and whites, which reflect the full flavours for which the region is renowned.
Where there's wine there's great food. The farming heritage of the region has flowed naturally into vibrant food production and appreciation. Produce includes olives and olive oil, cherries, chutneys, preserves and pickles as well as lamb, farmed rainbow trout and Murray cod and boutique beer. The cafes, restaurants and winery restaurants to be found in Rutherglen and the welcoming villages of Wagunyah, Barnawartha and Chiltern, make the most of this and other fresh produce.
From world class golf courses, to a stroll down the quaint main street of Rutherglen village with its diversity of shops to tempt you inside, Rutherglen has much to attract and entertain. Explore the many tracks beside the mighty Murray River and discover the diversity of bird life along the secluded walks around tranquil Lake Moodemere. Follow the marked touring route for a leisurely drive or cycle taking in the relics of Rutherglen's rich gold mining past.
Visit the Milawa gourmet region. The region is centered around the townships of Oxley and Milawa and is home to numerous fresh and processed food producers plus a number of Victoria's leading wineries. The Milawa Cheese Company is a small but highly regarded specialty cheese factory. All cheeses are hand-made at the historic Milawa Butter Factory using traditional methods. On site is an artisan bakery where a range of French and Italian Breads, sour dough and rye are baked fresh daily. Bakery cakes, pastries, pizza and other snacks, along with fine coffee, wine and boutique beer is available.
Beechworth Forest Drive