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The best wineries and distilleries in Echuca Moama

Hannah Ralph Hannah Ralph
Forget the usual wine trails – these sister towns know how to drink, and they’re quietly becoming one of the country’s most rewarding places to do so.

The Garden State has a lot to love, but it’s a particular delight for anyone who enjoys a well-made drink. From the windswept edges of the Great Ocean Road to the High Country’s alpine peaks, you’ll find distillers, brewers and winemakers making exceptional libations, often in a heartfelt tribute to the land.

And while regions like the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula tend to hog the spotlight for their cellar doors and cool-climate drops, the twin towns of Echuca and Moama, just across the river in New South Wales, add in a rustic riverside backdrop, heaps of small-town charm, and winemakers who are just as happy to pull up a chair as they are to pour.

In short

Echuca Distillery has spirits that’ll make you do a double take, Two Lads Brewing are the rising stars and Morrisons Winery is full of cute kookaburras eyeing your drink – but our soft spot goes to Old School Winery , the only place that offers honey wine and hand-thrown pottery under one roof.

1. Cape Horn Vineyard & Riverside Bar, Echuca

wine by the fire at Cape Horn Vineyard & Riverside Bar, Echuca
Cosy up by the fire with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. (Image: Cape Horn Vineyard & Riverside Bar)

Right on the Victoria-NSW border and just 20 minutes from Echuca’s town centre, Cape Horn Vineyard & Riverside Bar is as much a part of the area’s history as the paddle steamers that mosey along the river. The first shiraz grapes were planted here in the 1870s, aimed at the workers of the timber boom and to cater to the first flames of tourism. Today, visitors can enjoy a rather magnificent sparkling Durif, as well as wood-fired pizza and grazing platters under a shaded outdoor patio or, in winter, by the outdoor fires. Make sure to get here on a weekend for live, acoustic music.

Address: 489 Stewarts Bridge Rd, Echuca Village VIC 3564

2. Morrisons Winery, Moama

drinks at Morrisons Winery, Moama
Raise a glass while enjoying vineyard views. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Most people know Moama’s Morrisons Winery thanks to Murray River Paddlesteamers : it’s the star of their Wharf to Winery Cruise & Lunch package. The one-hour return cruise delivers guests to the estate for a seasonal two-course lunch, complimentary drink (beer, wine or something booze-free), and a wine tasting of estate-grown reds and whites. Close to town yet utterly secluded, Morrisons is a slice of pure Australiana: go to see the river catching the light, kookaburras in spades, and kangaroos draped like shadows between the vines.

Address: 123 Merool Rd, Moama NSW 2731

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3. The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota

the cellar door exterior of The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
Step into this Womboota cellar door for delicious meads.

Ever wondered what Australian bush honey might taste like with a dash of booze? The delicious meads at this Womboota cellar door answer that question beautifully. Roughly a 30-minute drive northwest of Echuca, the Old School Winery has charm seeping out of every corrugated slat. You’ll be introduced to the wild world of mead (the drink of medieval heroes, so they’ll tell you), which you can sip under century-old peppercorn trees. And if that wasn’t joyous enough, there’s a working pottery studio next door. Bring your own picnic and really make a day of it.

Address: Moira Road &, School Rd, Womboota NSW

4. St Anne’s Winery, Echuca

a grazing platter with wine at St Anne’s Winery, Echuca
Share a grazing platter to pair with your wine. (Image: St Anne’s Winery)

Don’t expect a vineyard at this one – St Anne’s Winery is right in the middle of Echuca’s historic Port, backing onto the town’s lively high street. As with all the St Anne wineries, this spot is known for its free tastings, delivered by friendly, local experts. The moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by giant old whisky barrels in a handsome, industrious space that has ended up on many a couple’s dream wedding location shortlist. As for wines, there’s everything you could wish for, but the full-bodied shiraz, crisp rosé, and sweet tawny options tend to see the most guests purchasing a bottle on the way out.

Address: 53 Murray Esplanade Echuca VIC 3564

5. Bandicoot Brewing, Echuca

friends toasting beer glasses at Bandicoot Brewing, Echuca
Enjoy great vibes and delicious drinks at Bandicoot Brewing. (Image: Getty/krisanapong detraphiphat)

Tracy Green and her husband, Bruce, were home brewers with a dream. This came true in 2014 when the pair opened Bandicoot Brewing , the town’s first brewery to call its own in more than a hundred years. Award-winning brewer Tracy sees this family-owned favourite delivering all kinds of cult concoctions, from passion-fruit-forward pale ales to malty red ales, smooth blondes and creamy stouts. As for the brewery itself, it’s open to the public on Friday and some Saturdays (it’s best ring ahead to check). Grab the $16 tasting paddle and ask the Green team all the questions you’d like – they’ll love answering.

Address: Factory 2/100 Northern Hwy, Echuca VIC 3564

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6. Echuca Distillery, Echuca

inside the Echuca Distillery
Small-batch spirits meet seriously good food at this distillery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

You can’t get a more primetime spot than Echuca Distillery , tucked into the high street behind its glamorous facade: Bar Lee. This distillery is where small-batch spirits meet seriously good food – a spot where you can watch distillers at work through the glass walls while enjoying $25 tasting flights, beef brisket nachos, and neat pours of gin, vodka or whiskey. Drinks nerds will especially enjoy some of the more unusual drops (the Coconut Arrack is a marvel). As for the distillery’s entrepreneurial spirit – pardon the pun – you can see it in action each September at their boozy brainchild: the Spirit on the Murray drinks festival.

Address: 555 High St, Echuca VIC 3564

7. St Anne’s Winery, Moama

clinking wine glasses at St Anne’s Winery, Moama
Sip top-notch cabernet sauvignon at St Anne’s Winery.

Unlike its town-centre sibling in Echuca, this St Anne’s Winery in Moama is an infinitely more al-fresco spot, positioned at the edge of a rather picturesque pond. Free tastings showcase a fabulous selection: sparkling Brut, Shiraz rosé, a whole range of fortifieds and liqueurs, and all guided by knowledgeable staff (shout-out to Kim and Hana). We love their generous cheese platters, the relaxed atmosphere out on the patio, and that furry friends can join the fun. Guests often leave with more bottles than they intended, proof that the St Anne’s Winery dynasty – now more than half a century old – continues to get it right.

Address: 77 Twenty Four Ln, Moama NSW 2731

8. Two Lads Brewing, Moama

a selection of cold beer at Two Lads Brewing, Moama
Choose the brew that matches your mood. (Image: Two Lads Brewing)

Two Lads Brewing started with two mates, a few late-night homebrews, and – eventually – one rule: if it doesn’t ignite a reaction, it doesn’t leave the brewery. Based in Moama, the duo’s bold, flavour-packed beers are already stocked in local pubs and restaurants around both towns, winning them a legion of locked-in fans. And if they weren’t already the ones to keep an eye on, 2026 brings the next chapter for Two Lads Brewing: a full-blown tap house for beer lovers, complete with all the bells, whistles – and frothy pints – you could ask for.

Address: 9 Neil St, Moama NSW 2731

Hannah Ralph
Hannah Ralph is an award-winning travel editor turned freelance writer. She’s currently chasing stories across Australia, until reality (and her inexplicable fondness for chilly British weather) demands a return to the UK, where her globe-trotting career began more than a decade ago. Following a formative start as Features Assistant at The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Hannah went on to hone her aviation chops for several years on the British Airways editorial team, serving as Editor and Deputy Editor on numerous titles, including the flagship in-flight mag, High Life. She later returned to The Times and Sunday Times as an in-house Travel Writer. Now freelance, Hannah finds herself a roaming reporter with bylines for Mr & Mrs Smith, The Telegraph, Business Traveller UK, National Geographic Traveller, Eurostar’s Metropolitan magazine, and more. Her mission? To track down all of Australia’s greatest, most unforgettable stays – and live what might just be the most glamorous gap year yet.
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From coast to bush: these are Gippsland’s best hikes

    Michael Turtle Michael Turtle
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

    I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

    For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

    Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

    The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

    sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

    Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

    a couple on Mount Oberon
    Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

    a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

    You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

    the George Bass Coastal Walk
    George Bass Coastal Walk trails for seven kilometres along clifftops. (Image: Visit Victoria/Time Out Australia)

    Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

    the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland
    Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The best bush hikes in Gippsland

    the Baw Baw National Park
    The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

    Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

    Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

    Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

    The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

    the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland
    Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

    As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

    the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park
    Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

    the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park
    The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

    Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Staying there

    the WildernessRetreats in The Prom
    Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

    Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

    Eating there

    the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

    Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

    a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.

    Video credit: Tourism Australia