Little-known must-visit spots in Victoria’s Hume region

THINK you know the best the Hume region has to offer? From secret swimming holes to a hip wall-to-wall wine bar, here’s some lesser-known gems this Victorian high country hub has to offer.

The biggest tourist attraction in Woods Point is the old petrol station owned by Graham Leah. Picture: Andrew Tauber

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THINK you know the best the Hume region has to offer?

We’ve searched high and low to find the hidden gems across our great state.

From secret swimming holes to a hip wall-to-wall wine bar, here’s some lesser-known gems this Victorian high country hub has to offer.

HIDDEN GEMS OF MELBOURNE’S WEST

FRY’S HUT

Via Howqua Track, Merrijig.parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore

It doesn’t get more “high country” than visiting a National Trust-listed hut built by hand in the late 1930s. Fred Fry’s hut, in the Howqua Hills historic area, 30 minutes’ drive from Mansfield, isn’t as famous as some of the region’s other alpine huts, but it’s no less impressive as a historic relic. Fred Fry was a master bushman and built many huts in the region. While visitors can admire Fry’s former home, it can’t be used for overnight stays. Camping is available, depending on the season, along the Howqua River.

BRIDGE ROAD BREWERS

50 Ford St, Beechworth.bridgeroadbrewers.com.au

The brewery, conceived by Ben Kraus in his dad’s back shed in 2005 and now found tucked away in the town’s old coach house, is a “must-do” when visiting the 19th-century gold mining town. There’s a sunny outdoor area, amazing pizzas and stacks of the brewery’s own award-winning IPAs, pilsners and German-style wheat beers on tap, plus seasonal brews and collaborations, as well as a tasty cider. Oh, and an ohm-pah-packed Oktoberfest each October.

Secret spots don’t get much more picturesque than this secluded swimming hole in Pretty Valley, near Falls Creek, Picture: Steve Payne

PRETTY VALLEY SWIMMING HOLE

Falls Creek. fallscreek.com.au

Secret spots don’t get much more picturesque than this swimming hole in Pretty Valley, near Falls Creek. Only accessible by dirt road and then foot, the rock pool, which gets covered in snow in the winter, is like something from a French Alps tourism ad. Ice melt provides pristine water and with smooth rocks for sunbathing and jumping off, the pool is as special as any city splash park. It’s so secret even Google won’t help. Talk to a local or call Falls Creek resort.

WOODS POINT

Warburton-Woods Point Rd, Mansfield-Woods Point Rd

The former gold mining town of Woods Point is only 120km northeast of Melbourne. But it takes more than three hours by car, via the Yarra Ranges, to reach the remote hamlet. On the banks of the Goulburn River, Woods Point is a “living history lesson”. In the mid-1860s, it was home to about 50 working mines, 36 hotels, a police station, hospital, chemist, six banks and dancing saloons. Today, relics of that bygone era abound, including a timber fuel stop, but not much else. Walks and the pub are highlights.

Woods Point is a tiny town in Victorias northeast set in the mountains. Picture: Andrew Tauber

VIEW FROM MEDUSA TRAIL

Mount Buller.bike.mtbuller.com.au

The view enjoyed by riders who conquer a snaking mountain bike trail appropriately called Medusa on Mount Buller is almost without rival. After tackling the steep “high-endurance” 750m track, designed and built by renowned trail designer Glen Jacobs, the reward is jaw-dropping views across the mountains.

HELICOPTER RIDE OVER CRAIG’S HUT

Mt Stirling

Perched atop Mt Stirling in Victoria’s high country, Craig’s Hut has become a symbol of Australia’s settler history, even though it was actually built as a set for The Man from Snowy River, based on the shelters built by pioneering mountain families. It offers stunning views and is possibly one Victoria’s most photographed landmarks. But few realise the best view is from above. A helicopter flight offers a dramatic panorama of the high country and can include a short landing to picnic at the hut. Charters are based in Mansfield.

THOUSAND POUND

82 Main St, Rutherglen. thousandpound.com.au

It’s literally wall-to-wall wine at Thousand Pound. The hip wine bar and restaurant, in an original Victorian store front, has a relaxed vibe, funky monochrome interior, bar-style seating and wine barrel tables — for one or many glasses from the super-extensive wine list. It’s not all wine, though, there are local and imported cider, beers and spirits.

HIGH GROVE CHESTNUT AND BERRY FARM

Mt Stanley Rd, Stanley. higrove.com.au

Berries equal summer — and High Grove, in picturesque Stanley, is one of the loveliest places in the state to “pick your own”. Using organic fertiliser, High Grove grows a variety of berries. The farm is also the second-largest chestnut producer in the region. There’s lots of parking, tables and seats, toilets, a shaded picnic area and kiosk. Berry season opens in December.

ROPER LOOKOUT

Roper Lookout Track, Falls Creek. fallscreek.com.au

Not all alpine walks have to be steep, tortuous affairs. Getting to Roper Lookout is a short, relatively easy walk to a small basalt knoll with great views of Falls Creek and the surrounding High Country area. The 5km walk — which takes about 1.5 hours return — follows an aqueduct for 1.5km, before climbing a small gully among snow gums and alpine meadows.

JOHN GEHRIG, RUTHERGLEN

1326 Gooramadda Rd, Gooramadda.johngehrigwines.com.au

The terms family-friendly and cellar door don’t normally go together, but it’s the case at John Gehrig, outside Rutherglen. There’s plenty of room for the young ’uns to run and play at the Gooramadda cellar door, housed in a historic winery shed, next door to an olive producer. Gehrig produces everything from sparkling to fortified wines, but also specialises in unusual varietals.

CHOCOLATE LANE, BENALLA

4-10 Bridge St East, Benalla

At just 1.75m wide, it’s easy to miss Chocolate Lane. But what the new laneway business — tucked away adjacent to the Commercial Hotel — lacks in size, it makes up for in chocolatey goodness. As well as Australian-made chocolates and treats, chocoholics can sample maybe the best hot chocolate in the northeast, which comes with handmade marshmallows flavoured with honey. The chilli chocolate and herbal teas are also worth a try.

TOOBORAC HOTEL BEER GARDEN

5115 Northern Hwy, Tooborac.tooborachotel.com.au

There are beer gardens — then there’s the Tooborac Hotel beer garden. Nestled around the striking 150-year-old bluestone hotel, this pub’s awesome beer garden has expanses of grass, shaded picnic tables, a small band stage and even its own pie shop. Tooborac, just outside Heathcote, produces a range of award-winning craft beer at its on-site brewery and serves

up great local food and wine.

HIGH TEA AT CAFE @ 3641

56 Main St, Strathmerton

Strathmerton, just over 50km north of Shepparton, is a “blink and miss it” kind of place. But a cafe in a restored 1920s house is giving people a reason to stop — a fabulous high tea. Cafe @ 3641 dishes up a divine $65-per-head “mini degustation” high tea on the last Sunday of each month. High tea connoisseurs have travelled from as far as Darwin and Perth. The October high tea is sold out. It returns in February.