·

11 fun things to do in the King Valley, Victoria

Nestled within the Victorian High Country, this beautiful valley is one of the most underrated parts of the state. Discover things to do in the King Valley, from driving its famed ‘Prosecco Road’, to feasting on many gourmet goodies.

Vines at Chrismont winery in the King Valley. Dropping into wineries along the Prosecco Road is one of the best things to do in the King Valley.
Vines at Chrismont in the King Valley. Image courtesy of Visit Victoria.

Do you love epic views, nature, top notch nosh and most importantly, a particular Italian variety of sparkling wine?

If you answered yes to all of the above, you should absolutely plan a trip to Victoria’s King Valley.

Not quite as well known as say the Yarra Valley, this beautiful part of Victoria’s High Country is best known for its ‘Prosecco Road’.

This is a trail you can drive (or cycle) down, dropping into local family-run wineries on the way.

Wine time aside, there’s plenty of other things to do in the King Valley.

Let’s find out why you should prioritise a visit to this part of the state, like, yesterday.


Victoria and Australia are beautiful. Help keep them this way. Check out these eco-friendly travel products and read our sustainable travel tips.


Disclosure: This post on King Valley attractions may contain affiliate links. If you click through for additional information or make a purchase, it may result in a small commission, at no extra cost to you. See my privacy policy if you require more information. Thank you for supporting a small content creator.


Fabulous things to do in the King Valley

Dal Zotto Wines cellar door along the Prosecco Road in the King Valley, Victoria. Discover things to do in the King Valley.
Drop into Dal Zotto, the winery responsible for the Prosecco Road.

Discover things to do in the King Valley:

  • 1. Drive the King Valley Prosecco Road
  • 2. Dine fine at winery restaurants
  • 3. Visit a distillery or brewery
  • 4. Drop into Milawa for gourmet goodies
  • 5. Pedal to produce
  • 6. Ride a rail trail
  • 7. Take in the view at Powers Lookout
  • 8. Hike to Paradise Falls
  • 9. Grab a hearty meal at a cosy pub
  • 10. Time your visit with La Dolce Vita Festival
  • 11. See where Ned Kelly had his last standoff
  • Where to stay in the King Valley
  • Getting to the King Valley

Need a set of wheels for your trip to the King Valley?

A winery on the side of a road, with the setting sun as backdrop.
Driving past Sam Miranda Winery in Oxley, the beginning or end of Prosecco Road.

1. Drive the King Valley Prosecco Road

Of all the fun things to do in the King Valley, this is the reason most people visit.

‘Prosecco Road’ isn’t one singular road. It’s a wine trail you can follow, dropping in to the five wineries of the King Valley that count prosecco among their varietals.

These are:

Interested in the history? Winemaker Otto Dal Zotto grew up in Italy, specifically in the town of Valdobbiadene, where prosecco originates. He planted the first prosecco vines in the King Valley in 1999.

All five wineries now produce this fresh, delicious sparkling.

You’ll also find plenty of other much-loved wines available for tastings and purchase, including pinot grigio, sangiovese and tempranillo.


Discover the distance between wineries and plan your trip with this map:

It goes without saying, but please drink responsibly if you are driving.

Dive deeper and learn more about the history of this region with a wine and food pairing at Pizzini Wines.

A table with a vase of flowers in the restaurant at Brown Brothers in Milawa.
Dining at Brown Brothers in Milawa.

2. Dine fine at winery restaurants

Alongside great grapes, these King Valley wineries have some fantastic onsite eateries.

Book in for Trattoria Dining at Dal Zotto.

Much of the produce used in dishes at Brown Brother’s award-winning restaurant hails from the winery’s own kitchen garden.

Pizzini even has a cooking school – A tavola!, where you can learn how to make the perfect pasta or delicately delicious gnocchi.

Exterior of Hurdle Creek Still in Victoria's King Valley, right near Milawa.
Hurdle Creek Still.
Liquor from Hurdle Creek Still on display inside the distillery: Dark Cacao Distiller's Reserve and Yardarm distilled gin.
Some of the spirits available at the distillery.

3. Visit a distillery or brewery

Wine not your thing? Don’t worry. There’s plenty of other enjoyable things to do in the King Valley.

If you’ll jump for juniper, drop into Hurdle Creek Still in Milawa, just up the road from Brown Brothers. Keep an eye out for Hobbledehoy Distillery and Cafe in Whitfield. They currently operate as a cafe, but have a distillery coming soon.

Mead more your thing? Make a beeline to Walkabout Apiaries, to try their Whitehead’s Mead.

Or, hop on over to King Valley Brewing for delicious, locally brewed craft beer.

Cheese platter from Milawa Cheese Company, paired with local red wine. Milawa
A very delicious looking cheese platter, containing Milawa Cheese. Image courtesy of Visit Victoria.

4. Drop into Milawa for gourmet goodies

Pack your esky and make a stop in the small town of Milawa, to load up on all sorts of delicious produce. This is definitely one of the best things to do in the King Valley.

Milawa Cheese Co is the big draw card. Pop in to try samples or pick up a few small wheels of cheese. They pair perfectly with sourdough from Milawa Bread.

I’m personally a big fan of Milawa Mustards. Their hot mustard is just chef’s kiss.

Find out more about the Milawa Gourmet Region.

Milawa is an ideal stopover on the drive from Melbourne to Newcastle. You can also stop in Benalla, a town full of urban art by renowned street artists.

Sign for Milawa Cheese Factory, bakery and cafe.
Pick up your wares from Milawa Cheese Co after you’ve pedalled to produce.

5. Pedal to produce

Don’t even think about calories consumed. Combine eating just about every delicious thing in Milawa with exercise, as you Pedal to Produce in the High Country.

Milawa’s Gourmet Ride is a 10 kilometre return journey that should take you around an hour to complete.

Pick up a map from a local store in Milawa and ride out to Sam Miranda Winery in Oxley.

Along with produce picking, there’s plenty of places to stop for a gourmet lunch.

Bikes can be borrowed from Brown Brothers or hired in Milawa. You can also rent a basket to fill with food, or just have your wares delivered to the Milawa Cheese Company, for pick up later.

A cow staring directly at the camera.
The sort of quiet observer you’ll see on your cycling trip.

6. Ride a rail trail

Victoria is full of decommissioned railway lines that have been turned into rail trails. These are ideal for walking, or better yet, riding on and link up some of the nicest places to visit in regional Vic.

The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is a 100km sealed road which cuts through Milawa. It’s one of the best developed rail trails in the state and offers up some beautiful sights.

Explore bits and pieces of the trail or ride the whole thing.

Download the rail map to find out more.

A cyclist stands at Power's Lookout in the King Valley, arms outstretched as they take in the view.
Powers Lookout. Image credit: Ride High Country.

7. Take in the view at Powers Lookout

For more gorgeous views, head to this lookout, just past Whitfield.

Its named after notorious bushranger Harry Power, who hid out here in the 1860s.

There’s two lookouts. The first is extremely accessible. The second is a short walk to the northernmost point of the escarpment.

From either, you’ll take in views across the King Valley.

8. Hike to Paradise Falls

20 minutes from Whitfield is a beautiful waterfall, just 500 metres from a car park.

It’s best viewed after rainfall, when it should be at full flow.

Gather goodies from Milawa and bring them here for a peaceful picnic. It’s definitely one of the top King Valley attractions.

For more, check out my guide to the best waterfalls in Victoria.

Sign reads 'Mountain View Hotel' open 7 days lunch and dinner'.

Plates of food and drinks at Mountain View Hotel in Whitfield.
Plates form the pub. Image courtesy Visit Victoria.

9. Grab a hearty meal at a cosy pub

Looking for things to do in the King Valley in winter?

Drop into Mountain View Hotel for a lovely pub meal.

You can also stay in the pub, after completing the drive down Prosecco Road.

Sunset in the King Valley.
The good life involves many a sunset.

10. Time your visit with La Dolce Vita Festival

Who doesn’t love a good festival?

La Dolce Vita is held in late November, paying homages to the Italian heritage of those who now call the King Valley home.

Time your visit to the region with the festival, to celebrate the good life.

A giant statue of Ned Kelly in Glenrowan, Victoria.
Say hi to Big Ned in Glenrowan.

11. See where Ned Kelly had his last standoff

On the other side of the valley is the town of Glenrowan, best known for being the setting of the Kelly Gang’s last famed standoff.

Pop into the town to see the Kelly-related sites and make sure you snap a photo next to the giant statue of Ned.

A man walking past a yurt perched on a mountain in Victoria's King Valley. Staying in a yurt is probably one of the more unique things to do in the King Valley.
I may have stayed in a yurt.

[bctt tweet=”Travel down #Australia’s Prosecco Road in the King Valley, Victoria.”]

Where to stay in the King Valley

There’s plenty of options for places to stay in the King Valley, to suit most budgets.

  • Mid-range: Milawa Motel is basic and clean, right in the heart of the gourmet region.
  • Lad-di-da: Splurge on your trip to the King Valley, with a room at the swanky Lancemore Milawa.
  • Quirky: 1888 Oxley B&B is a renovated church.
  • Boutique: Church Lane Accommodation consists two private self contained apartments, with private Japanese alfresco baths!
  • Eco-Friendly: Stay in The Yurt Alpine Retreat, quirky and eco-friendly accommodation in the King Valley.

You could also pop into the King Valley after staying in a nearby Shacky or the Alpine Region.

One of the roads in the King Valley, lined  by trees.
Driving in the countryside.

Getting to the King Valley

The King Valley is around a three-hour drive from Melbourne. You’re best off getting there by car.

Australia is not renowned for its public transport, especially outside of the cities.

You can catch a train from Melbourne to Wangaratta, the biggest town in the region. Yet then how will you travel onto Prosecco Road and sample all the delicious beverages?

Your best bet would be to hire a car from Melbourne and drive out to the Valley (or hop in your own, obviously).

You’m travel up the Hume Freeway, which can become quite monotonous after awhile.

There are plenty of service stations to stop at along the way and do make sure to give yourself at least a half hour break. Stop, revive and survive and all that.

As you can see, there’s plenty of things to do in the King Valley, Victoria. There’s definitely plenty of reasons to prioritise a trip to this underrated part of the state.

For more to do in Victoria, see my guides to Bendigo, Ballarat and some lovely small towns in Victoria. And discover the best books to read before visiting Australia.

Have you been to Milawa? Or any other wine regions in Australia?

Fancy checking out this area of Oz some day? Pin this post for future reference!

Nestled within the Victorian High Country, this beautiful valley is one of the most underrated parts of the state. Discover things to do in the King Valley, from driving its famed 'Prosecco Road', to feasting on many gourmet goodies.

The King Valley is located on the lands of the Yorta Yorta and the Taungurung Peoples. We acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners of these lands and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Similar Posts

4 Comments

  1. You probably know South Australia has plenty of wine regions, and I have been wine tasting in most of them over the years. I have never been to a wine region in Victoria, but I think I need to get on it as soon as I am back in the country. Kings Valley looks like a great place to start. I want to stay in that Yurt, and anywhere that has wine AND cheese is my kind of place. Love the sunrise/sunset photos!

    1. Thanks Josie! Yeah you definitely have a wealth of choice – I’ve never been to any in SA! There’s so many in Vic too, I think I’ll easily be kept busy with them alone for awhile. And yeah – anywhere that has good cheese gets a tick in my book, too!

  2. I’m not a wine tasting kind of girl (though cheese is – yum 😀 ) but staying in that yurt is definitely my kind of thing! That just looks absolutely fabulous! And oh my, the sunset and sunrise, gorgeous!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.