I’ll drink to that! Uncover the beauty of the Ovens River and the original home of Victoria Bitter
A HARD-EARNED thirst deserves a trip to this beautiful corner corner of Victoria, where the river and beer flow freely.
THE Ovens River flows through the Ovens Valley, a popular tourist destination servicing the ski fields of Mt Hotham, Buffalo, Falls Creek plus the Alpine and Mt Buffalo national parks.
We just had to venture out here to see what all the fuss was about.
The Ovens River run we did started in Mulwala, went down to Myrtleford and finished in Bright. It is a picture-perfect part of Victoria and I would suggest doing it in autumn as the colours are spectacular.
It’s a holiday that can be action-packed, with air sports such as gliding and paragliding or more land-based activities like cycling, wine tasting, olive farm tours, bushwalking and kayaking. There is even a great hedge maze at Wandiligong.
A disused railway line has been converted into the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail ride, which goes from Wangaratta and Beechworth to Bright.
There are several wineries in the area and lots of hops farms too. The wineries are a popular stop for all tourists on their journey along the Ovens River but nothing beats the Buffalo Brewery, the original home of Victoria Bitter.
The old pub is still standing and welcomes visitors every day. Enjoy a pint of their Buffalo Beer or some of their great food. The publican can talk you through the early days of Victoria Bitter and show you photo albums of the good old days.
Tobacco was a major industry in the Ovens Valley until 2006, when international tobacco companies stopped buying Australian tobacco.
Reminders of the valley’s long and prosperous tobacco history continue to dot the valley, such as the many tobacco kilns and smokehouses you will find on the Ovens River banks in Myrtleford. The town is the largest town in the Alpine Shire region, with a population of more than 3500. It’s 223m above sea level on the Great Alpine Road between Wangaratta and Bright.
It is beautifully positioned in the northern foothills of the Mt Buffalo Range next to the Ovens River, Happy Valley Creek and Barwidgee Creek. Because of its location, it serves as a gateway to Mt Buffalo National Park and its neighbouring skiing resorts.
Beautiful scenery, tranquillity, rivers and mountain views will enchant visitors to Myrtleford, with Mt Buffalo providing a dramatic backdrop.
Travelling on foot or by bicycle is the best way to explore Myrtleford and its surrounds. There’s a wonderful view of the town from Reform Hill, which you can reach via the walking tracks.
On the western side of town on the Great Alpine Road is the Phoenix Tree, where, in the centre of its root system, you will see the Phoenix Bird sculptured by Hans Knorr.
At the entrance to the town is an old log tobacco kiln right on the banks of the Ovens River. This river has been the lifeblood of Myrtleford since 1837 when the first squatter, John Hillas, erected his huts and stockyards on its banks. Soon after, miners began to arrive in the region in search of gold. The track the miners hacked along the Ovens River is now the Great Alpine Road.
Next stop is Bright at the southeastern end of Ovens Valley. The main industry now is tourism, with much focus on the autumn colours of the European trees.
Grab a bicycle and discover Bright at your leisure. They have fantastic cycle tracks all over town. The Ovens River and Morses Creek have adjoining tracks ideal for rides or walks.
The town is also close to the Victorian Alps and alpine national parks including Mt Buffalo National Park, which makes it a mainstay for snow enthusiasts.
Bright has some quirky and brilliant cafes and restaurants. It’s a very social and friendly little town.
Once you discover the town by foot or by bike, get yourself a kayak and see it from the river, or sit back and relax with a nice glass of wine sitting next to an open fire and bask in the scenery.
SEE: greataustraliandoorstep.com
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