Cornella Canola Walk combines flower fields and local brews

There’s nothing more freeing than frolicking through a field of flowers, and this official walk makes it easy to do so.

We’re slowly emerging from the depths of a particularly cold winter, and it’s time to reignite our excitement about the wonders of spring: baby animals, warmer weather and flowers galore. Sprawling fields around Victoria and Canberra will soon be covered in a golden yellow blanket of canola flowers – some you can visit, and some that you can’t, without trespassing on private farms. So there’s no better place to start than the Cornella Canola Walk.

About an hour’s drive from Bendigo – or two hours from Melbourne – in the Heathcote region, you can wander through more than 40 hectares of canola fields surrounding Shiraz Republic and Cornella Brewery (handily, at the same location). This special track and viewing platform provides a full 360-degree view of the flowers, and drones are welcome. Along the way, you’ll find places to stop for your new profile picture, like a working piano and a rusted-out ute.

man walking on path through Cornella Canola Walk

Be sure to pack a camera for your walk. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

This is the only walk-through canola experience in the state, and it’s been designed to protect the crop while allowing revellers to soak in the landscape up close. So you can feel good about doing it for the ‘gram.

Like any good walk, the best part is a cold drink at the end of it (even when it’s relatively short and completely flat, like this one). So it’s great news you can end the trail with wine or beer and woodfired pizza at Shiraz Republic’s cellar door. Sit down in the rustic vineyard setting and even enjoy some live tunes on weekends.

table spread of pizza, wine and beer at shiraz rebulic

End the walk by treating your taste buds. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Want to really make a trip of it? Book a stay at Shiraz Republic’s single or double bedroom private units to wake up with golden views. Each is self-contained, fitted with a full kitchen, bathroom, living area and decking overlooking the vineyard.

This is a working farm, so while dogs on leashes are welcome, be sure to stay on the provided track. The Cornella Canola Walk is open from 29 August to 28 September, from 10am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends. The cost is $10 per adult, $5 per kid, or $30 for a family of two adults and kids.