10 Incredible Things to Do in Rutherglen

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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.

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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

Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory
Wander through this 1920’s renovated flour mill for a taste of crave-inducing organic chocolate and licorice.

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.

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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.

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Your guide to feeling rested and reconnected after your holiday

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.

    Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.

    Destinations like The Grampians: surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.

    Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.

    1. Practice mindfulness

    Hamilton Gallery, the grampians
    Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.

    Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.

    If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.

    2. Indulge in self-care

    two people swimming in the Venus Baths, the grampains
    Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

    Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.

    Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.

    For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.

    3. Embrace nature

    Boroka Lookout, the grampians
    Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.

    Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?

    To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.

    Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.

    4. Prioritise Rest

    outdoor bathtub at Nook On The Hill
    Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.

    Try Wanderlust Glamping, where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.

    For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.

    For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.

    5. Engage Your Senses

    Salingers Cafe, destinations that help you slow down
    Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.

    For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.

    If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.

    6. Connect and reconnect

    The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria
    Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

    Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.

    Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.

    Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.

    For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium. Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.

    Put these science-backed holiday benefits to the test during a trip to The Grampians. Plan your peaceful getaway at visitgrampians.com.au.