10 Incredible Things to Do in Rutherglen

For such a small town, Rutherglen is a wine-making giant. But this is not a one-stop, one-drop town. Here are 10 things you should do and know.

The history of the Rutherglen wine region goes back to the late 1850s when Lindsay Brown planted his four-acre vineyard as the Gold Rush drew prospectors to the area. He’s been credited with saying: “Dig gentlemen dig, but no deeper than six inches, for there is more gold to be won from the top six inches than from all of the depths below."

Rutherglen

Thirty years later, Rutherglen was considered a wine power with some of the largest estates in the world. Many are still flourishing today, including Morris, Chambers Rosewood, All Saints Estate, Campbells, and Stanton & Killeen.

But it’s not a one-stop, one-drop town. Here are 10 things you should do in Rutherglen.

1. Try Fortified Wine

Save time to explore the township of Rutherglen where the welcome sign ‘Sydney may have a nice harbour, but Rutherglen has a Great Port’ gives some indication of how proud the region is of its fortified wines.

2. Walk the Main Street

Main Street Rutherglen — Walk down the iconic Main Street.

A cairn marks the spot where gold was found in the 1860s in what is now Main Street and the town still retains much of its Victorian architecture and outback country town charm. Check out any of the antique and boutique stores before you pop into a café for a spot of lunch.

3. Visit the Rutherglen Wine Experience & Visitor Information Centre

The Rutherglen Wine Experience and Visitor Information Centre, built in 1862 as a drapery, is a great place to start. Chat to any of the local volunteer staff to give you the best advice on what to see and do in the area. They’ll know where to start on your wine tour or the best spot to grab some lunch. You’ll also find an array of local produce, wines and souvenirs.

4. Take a Tour

When you’re looking for a history lesson you can’t go past the Rutherglen Historical Town Guided Tour. An array of Historical Society members will take you on an informative stroll around the town. The tour takes 90 minutes and only costs $10, which includes a tour booklet and a bottle of water.

But if you’d rather go at your own pace, pick up a self-guided historical walking tour brochure. The track includes the 1872 Common School Museum and 1864 St Stephen’s Rectory, as well as several gold-era Victorian pubs.

5. Taste your way through the Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory

The factory resides in a renovated 1920s flour mill. Head through the space on a guided tour, grabbing samples of organic chocolate and licorice created by the sister company Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Next, you’ll head through the whisky distillery. Watch from start to finish the makings of high-quality Australian whisky.

When you’re starting to feel a little peckish, grab a seat in their restaurant and order up an indulgent gourmet meal. Serving breakfast and lunch, no matter what meal it is, you can’t leave without trying their iconic hot chocolate.

6. Ride a Bike

You can also rent bicycles and helmets here to explore the wineries via the Murray to the Mountains rail trail. Choose between the mountain bikes, tandems and e-bikes available. Go through the town in your own pace and explore what Rutherglen has to offer. The rental also includes a map, if you’re going old school.

Do not ride the bikes while under the influence.

7. Visit Gooramadda Olives and Wicked Virgin Boutique Winery

And if you need a break from wine tasting, Gooramadda Olives and Wicked Virgin offer home-grown olives, olive oils and various tapenades just outside of town. Wicked Virgin are also known for their boutique wines, giving tastings for a range of reds, whites and fortified. While at Gooramadda, their signature dish is Morris Muscat Olive Oil Ice Cream, try it if you dare.

8. Eat at Parker Pies

Parker Pies Rutherglen — Head to Parker Pies for some amazing, and quite unique, flavours.

Named ‘Australia’s greatest pie shop ,’ giving a big reason to head down and try these home-made beauties. With traditional, gourmet and just crazy flavours available, this is for the true blue Aussies.

You’ve got the Chunky Beef, Bacon and Cheese pies and the Emu, Kangaroo and Crocodile pastries. Filled with fresh ingredients, these will bless your taste-buds.

9. Check out Rutherglen’s New-School Winemakers

Rutherglen’s wine region is like none other. These new school wineries are coming up with innovative new wine styles that definitely turn heads. They aren’t just tweaking the classics, they’re blowing them out of the water. Everything is a mix of old and new there. Head along to each vineyard and test the absolute best in reds and whites.

10. Walk to the Big Wine Bottle

Big Wine Bottle Rutherglen — Rutherglen’s biggest landmark.

Australia is known for their love of big monuments, from the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour to the Big Prawn in Ballina. But Rutherglen has got one of their own to add to the list, the Big Wine Bottle. Standing at 36 metres tall and only a 15 minute walk from Main Street, this landmark used to be the town’s water tower (since a new reservoir was created in 1945, this became a backup). Have a picnic beneath the bottle and look out onto the vast land ahead.

If you’re planning on spending time in Victoria’s High Country, click here to check out our guide.

From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.

Murray River

A paddle steamer down the Murray in Echuca — The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell

the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road — The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.

You Yangs, Geelong

kangaroos in You Yangs — Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.

Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley

Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.

Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland

the Wilsons Promontory — Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.

Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges

This six-million-year-old volcanic rock  was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

exploring Sovereign Hill — Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic  streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.

The Great Stupa, Bendigo

Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula

the Cape Schanck Lighthouse from above — Heritage-listed Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.