Holiday houses in Myrtleford

Hugging the Great Alpine Road in Victoria’s High Country, unassuming Myrtleford has reinvented itself as a culinary hub since its tobacco industry closed down in 2006, with the region’s rich alluvial flats now planted with pumpkins, walnuts, grapes, and berries. A gateway to the Australian Alps, Myrtleford is well worth a stop for its farm-gates, wineries, and restaurants, where Italian flavours introduced by immigrants in the 1920s remain a strong theme.

Popular with anglers, the Ovens River ribbons alongside the township, with a sealed loop trail ideal for cycling — don’t miss the colourful mosaic artworks installed en route. Myrtleford also lies on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, a scenic walking and cycling trail stretching more than 200 kilometres from Wangaratta to just south of the buzzy alpine town of Bright. An hour’s drive from Mount Buffalo National Park, Myrtleford also makes a good base for day trips into this alpine wilderness.

Each season ushers in a new set of attractions in Myrtleford, from crisp winter mornings perfect for snowshoeing at Mount Buffalo to balmy summer afternoons ideal for cycling. The Myrtleford Festival is held every March Labour Day, bringing the local community together for five days of family-friendly fun. In May, it’s time to celebrate Myrtleford’s Italian roots at the La Fiera festival, with three days of culinary and cultural events, including gourmet cellar door experiences and Italian film nights. On the fourth Saturday of every month, Myrtleford hosts a farmers market in its piazza, with each installment themed around the seasonality of the region’s produce.

Waterfalls

The summer months were made for chasing waterfalls in Mount Buffalo National Park. Not far from the park entrance, Ladies Bath Falls tumbles into a pristine pool of water perfect for a refreshing dip, while at Upper and Lower Eurobin Falls, Crystal Creek spills over a dramatic granite escarpment. With the three waterfalls linked by a 1.5-kilometre trail, you can see them all in under an hour if you’re pressed for time.

Historic Walk

Grab a map from the town’s visitor information centre and step back into Myrtleford’s history during an easy 1.8-kilometre walk around the town centre. The trail takes you past sights including the Old School Museum, which houses relics from the town’s gold mining days, and the Big Tree, a centuries-old river gum.

Lake Buffalo

Take a scenic drive 22 kilometres south of Myrtleford to Lake Buffalo, a huge body of water surrounded by mountains that’s popular for swimming, fishing, paddling, and boating. It’s a great spot for a picnic, with gas barbecues and tables on the grassy lakeshore. Toilet facilities are also available.