In July 2022, we arrived in Melbourne, excited to start our new job on a dairy farm near Edi in the King Valley region of Victoria. We hadn’t researched the area or the job at all before arriving, so to say we were winging it would be an understatement. We go the train from Melbourne to Wangaratta, where we were picked up by our new boss, and then made the 30 minute drive to the farm.

The King Valley is situated south of Wangaratta, and borders the Alpine National Park. The area is famed for its wine and cuisine, but is also home to a thriving agricultural industry. The pristinely clear King River winds its way down the valley, bordered on both sides by lush green farmland grazed by dairy and beef cows. These farms are interspersed by vineyards, and small villages and towns pop up along the route offering accommodation, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Above the farmland, the peaks and ridges overlooking the valley are untamed and densely forested, affording the whole area a feeling of wildness and adventure.

We spent six short weeks in this region, and genuinely loved every minute we spent exploring the landmarks, views and businesses in the area. Here are the bits we would recommend to anyone hoping to make the most of their stay in the King Valley:

Wine tasting

Nicknamed “Prosecco Road”, the King Valley is one of Australia’s most prolific and underrated wine regions. While traditionally famed for its white and sparkling wine exports, we thought the area’s selection of cold weather Shiraz wines was also exceptional.

We tried a wine tasting at nearly every vineyard in the valley, and not a single one disappointed. Most of the vineyards charged a tasting fee of $10 per person, for which you were allowed to sample five wines of your choice. This fee was waived if you purchased a bottle of wine after the tasting (which we almost always did). Many of the vineyards also offer snacks and grazing platters to accompany your wine tasting, and this food was always exceptional.

Our favourite vineyards were: King River Estate for the friendly service and information (when Daisie asked a million questions), Sam Miranda’s for the food which accompanied the wine tasting, and Pizzini for the quality of the wine.

Beer tasting

The most obvious destination to include in this section is the King Valley Brewery, which boasts a wide variety of delicious home-brewed lagers and ales. The brewery also has a pizza oven, and has a food menu full of snacks and plates which pair perfectly with a pint. The Moyhu Hotel is another brilliant establishment offering a range of refreshments, including local wines, beers and food. We would recommend a meal and a drink here, as the food is great and the staff are friendly and welcoming. The accommodation here are also good and reasonably priced.

Further afield, a trip to Wangaratta will give you plenty of choice for places to enjoy a nice cold beer. The city is full of bars, restaurants, culture and history.

Food tasting

As mentioned, the Moyhu Hotel is great for food, and many vineyards in the area offer small plates to accompany a wine tasting. Across the road from the Moyhu Hotel, Ineeta’s Cafe has a great breakfast and lunch menu, and is a lovely place for a coffee and a slice of cake. The Hobledehoy Distillery and Cafe in Whitfield puts on a good lunch (and has a good selection of gins). Otherwise, the short trip to Wangaratta opens up a lot more options for local cafes and restaurants to dine at, or take a drive through the Milawa Gormet Region to the northeast of Wangaratta for some truly special local cuisine.

Power’s Lookout

This scenic escarpment offers panoramic views north across King Valley and the surrounding mountains. This is reportedly where the bush ranger Harry Power came to hide from the law and keep an eye out for pursuers. Now, one lookout point is accessible to wheelchairs, while a second viewpoint is reached by a short clamber over a series of stairs and ladders. The views are absolutely incredible, and will give you an appreciation of the scale of agriculture and viticulture in King Valley, as well as showcase the natural beauty of the area.

Paradise Falls

This waterfall is worth visiting just for the drive in. Located in the Alpine National Park south of Cheshunt, the road to this attraction winds through eucalyptus and up steep valleys, with stunning views of the mountains and forests and plenty of chances to spot indigenous wildlife.

The waterfall itself is reached by a small but steep walk down the valley side from the carpark. The hike take you deep into the forest, and has occasional viewpoints to This is a stunning place, and you can get underneath and around the waterfall through the large cavern carved out of the cliff face behind the cascade.

William Hovell Dam

18km south of Cheshunt is the William Hovell Dam. This dam (and the resulting lake) was built in the 1970s for irrigation in the King Valley. The lake and the surrounding area are great for dog walking, sightseeing, nature watching, camping and fishing. There are also plenty of dirt roads around the lake for 4×4 enthusiasts, and there is even a dedicated swimming area on the lake which is usually busy on hot summer days.

Accommodation

In the valley itself, there are a few campsites and caravan parks which border the tranquil King River. A lot of the vineyards also have some guest rooms, which are generally lovely and would be great for anyone on a wine tasting holiday. There are also rooms available at the Moyhu Hotel, and several guest appartments in the immediate Moyhu area. Alternatively, you can find plenty of accommodationin Wangaratta, although you will have to limit your wine tasting if you are driving back to the city afterwards!

Further afield

This part of Northern Victoria is absolutely packed with beautiful places, great food and drink, and charming towns and cities. Using the King Valley as a base, it is easy to take day trips to Mount Buffalo National Park, the Alpine National Park, Myrtleford, Mansfield and Bright (which are lovely alpine towns with loads of shops and restaurants), the Milawa Gormet Region, and dozens of other stunning locations all within an hour or two of the King Valley.

We absolutely loved our six weeks in the King Valley, and would definitely visit again if we are in Victoria. Although it is a little off the tourist trail, we cannot recommend this place enough. The people and businesses were all exceptionally welcoming and friendly, and the scenery is an amazing mix of tamed grassland and vineyards boarded by wild wooded ridges running down the length of the valley. If you get a chance, it is absolutely worth a visit.

Have you been to the King Valley? What were your favourite bits? Let us know in the comments!