From world-class wines to breathtaking alpine views, Victoria’s High Country has something for everyone. Here are the best things to do across the High Country's best towns.
Victoria
What to see, do and eat in Benalla in regional Victoria
Rolling vineyards, towering mountain ash forests, gourmet produce and charming townships – Victoria's Yarra Valley is one of the state’s most enchanting destinations.
In Victoria’s High Country, there’s a rural town with a surprising edge. Alongside Benalla’s picturesque lakeside setting, fascinating heritage, and relaxed food scene, there’s a thriving art culture that’s worthy of your time.
Whether you’re an art aficionado or seeking a getaway with a difference, Benalla’s vibrant murals, lauded gallery, and art-focused community contribute to the town’s reputation as a significant street art destination.
The annual Benalla Street Art Festival further elevates the town, transforming it into an open-air art gallery every April.
More: Victoria's Silo Art Trail: how to explore Australia’s biggest outdoor art gallery
What to see in Benalla
Compact and easy to explore, Benalla offers a cultured, well-paced country break, perfect for a weekend getaway.
If the Benalla Street Art Festival is the town’s event highlight, the Benalla Street Art Trail is its year-round headline attraction. Follow the trail past the central 90-plus murals – seen on walls, silos, and in laneways – with the Storytowns Benalla Street Art app. It brings each artwork to life with insights and local lore.
The free Benalla Art Gallery is one of Australia’s most respected regional art galleries, offering thoughtfully curated exhibitions across three centuries of Australian art. A pop-up gallery is in place until mid-2026 when the main gallery’s renovations are complete.
Enjoy the slower pace of regional Victoria with a stroll around Lake Benalla, the town’s pretty centrepiece. Walking or biking the 4.25km lakeside trail is an ideal way to get your bearings.
To discover Benalla’s landmark streets and buildings, take the free Benalla Heritage Trail. This self-guided route links more than 20 points of interest, including the courthouse precinct and barber shop where Ned Kelly attempted his escape.
The renovation of the Benalla Art Gallery will turn it into a top regional destination. Image: Visit Victoria
What to do in Benalla
Beyond time exploring Lake Benalla and the art or heritage markers that give the town its charm, there’s so much more to see and do in and around Benalla.
Make time to stop and smell the roses at the historic Botanical Gardens, an 8ha expanse treasured since the 1880s. The rose garden has one of Victoria's finest rose displays.
Every November, the Benalla Festival showcases local talent and collaborative projects spanning art, music, dance, and food and wine. For a taste of this, head to the Benalla Lakeside Craft and Farmers Market on the fourth Saturday of the month for local produce, handmade goods, and tasty bites.
A short drive from downtown Benalla, the 4km Mokoan Ponds walk gives access to the Winton Wetlands. This 5,000ha reserve is home to 188 bird species and native wildlife, including black swamp wallabies, long-neck turtles, and the elusive rakali. Check out Astronomy Benalla for stargazing meetups.
Benalla is a great base for short High Country detours, including Mount Samaria State Park, Gooram Falls, and Australia's largest cactus garden in Goulburn Valley. The Glenrowan wine region is known for its century-old vines, with Baileys of Glenrowan a popular stop for its charming cellar door, country kitchen, and organic reds.
Racing enthusiasts can check out Winton Motor Raceway’s event calendar.
More: Victoria's best country markets
The Benalla Art Gallery holds major Australian artworks. Image: Visit Victoria
Benalla Street Art Festival
If your schedule allows, time your visit with the Benalla Street Art Festival to experience the town’s creative energy at its peak. Running for three days every April, Benalla becomes a living canvas, as world-class artists add new large-scale murals while you look on.
Alongside witnessing more walls, laneways, and silo’s transform, other festivities include guided walking tours, artist workshops, live music, and a dedicated Kidz Zone.
Visiting outside the festival dates? Most of the town’s murals remain on display year-round, with the new artwork joining the Benalla Street Art Trail.
RACV supports the Benalla Street Art Festival as a bronze partner.
As part of Victoria's High Country, Benalla and nearby Bright are both worthy of a road trip. Image: Visit Victoria
Where to eat and drink in Benalla
From casual eats to vineyard treats, there’s something for every palate in and around Benalla. For a quick bite and a caffeine fix, Brews & Toasties is a local favourite, while the Ned Kelly pie at Bouwmeesters Bakery hits the spot. Brunch at The Merchant Benalla is popular for its cosy atmosphere.
The Northo offers country-pub vibes and hearty gastropub fare around an open fire, while the Farmer’s Arms is one of the town’s oldest hotels, offering generous portions and popular parma nights.
The nearby wine country spoils are worth the drive, offering seasonal farm-to-table flavours and creative menus. Enjoy cheese tasting or grazing platters at Little Cedar in Winton. The outdoor cellar door and bucolic views at Morrisons of Glenrowan make it a great addition to any itinerary.
There's plenty to explore in Victoria's High Country. Image: Visit Victoria
Planning your Benalla visit
By car
Benalla sits in the north‑east of Victoria’s High Country, around a two‑hour drive (about 220km) from Melbourne via the Hume Highway. It’s roughly the same distance from Melbourne as Wangaratta (the gateway to the Great Alpine Road), Halls Gap in the Grampians National Park, and Warrnambool at the western end of the Great Ocean Road.
By train
Alternatively, you can travel by train from Southern Cross Station, with a total journey time of around two hours and 15 minutes. Another option is to take the train to Seymour Station and connect to a coach, which takes about three hours overall. Once in Benalla, many of the town’s key attractions are within easy walking distance.
Gooram Falls is one place worth visiting during a weekend away in Benalla. Image: Visit Victoria
Suggested Benalla itineraries
Whether you’re day tripping, spending a relaxing weekend, or are stopping on a long Victoria road trip, there’s ample to do.
If you only have a day, start with a walk around Lake Benalla to get your bearings before following the self-guided street art trail. Stop for lunch at a local café, then explore the Benalla Heritage Trail and current exhibitions at Benalla Art Gallery.
Even if visiting during the Benalla Street Art Festival, you can still see the town’s main attractions, stopping to admire the festival artists at work en route.
Conclude the day with dinner at one of the town’s popular country pubs, followed by stargazing at Winton Wetlands.
For weekend getaways, add a visit to the Benalla Costume and Kelly Museum, home to Ned Kelly memorabilia, before spending time in nature at the Winton Wetlands or Gooram Falls.
A leisurely afternoon vineyard lunch or cellar door visit is sure to impress, before driving the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail on your journey back to Melbourne.
