See & Do
Indulge, explore or bike your way around the North East. These are just a few of our suggestions for things to see and do in our beautiful part of the world.
Indulge
In Yackandandah
Backwoods Distilling Co produce award-winning small batch Whisky and Gin right here in Yackandandah. Tastings are available Thursday to Sunday in their amazing space in the Yack Station Precinct, located on Turntable Lane. Bookings are preferred.
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While up at the Yack Station Precinct, be sure to check out the Happy Baker for some of the best pastries you're likely to try. Michael and Terie are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7:30 until 1pm or until they sell out!
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Just around the corner in their converted railway carriage you'll find the The Guard Yackandandah. Samm and Gary serve the best coffee in town Thursday thru Monday, from 6:30 am - 1 pm.
Yack Creek Distillery is another award-winning micro distillery and brewery who specialise in Whisky, Rum, Gin and Vodka, plus their own range of beers. Tasting are available from their cellar door, with it's wonderful outdoor grassy tasting area situated on the banks of the upper Yackandandah creek, 2kms from town on Bells Fat Road. ​
Dining options in Yack include authentic Thai cuisine at Grace's Place and for great food, live music and local Two Pot craft beer on tap it's hard to go past our local favourite, the Star Hotel.
Within 30 minutes
The Beechworth region is home to some outstanding wineries, breweries and distilleries and all within 30 minutes of the Red Box front door.
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Home for Bridge Road Brewers is an old 1850s coachhouse in the main street of Beechworth, where you will find their taproom, pizzeria and brewhouse. The beers are excellent and numerous and the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly. Brewery tours run daily at 11am, with booking recommended, especially on weekends.
Founded in 1865 and situated in the original restored brewery, Billson's Brewery produce a huge range of beers, sprits, sodas and cordials. Billson's have a great burger menu and do tours and tastings, but book ahead as it's often busy.
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Beechworth's Giaconda and Fighting Gully Road wineries were both named among Australia's top 50 wineries of 2021 and both are open by appointment only. Eldorado Road winery was also rated at number 53 and has it's cellar door in the heart of Beechworth.
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Gapstead Wines is another highly regarded and often-awarded winery and is located 20 minutes from Beechworth, or 10 minutes from Myrtleford, off the Great Alpine Road.
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Indulgent dining options in Beechworth include Provenance, The Ox & Hound Bistro and Amandhi's.
Milawa Gourmet Region
OK, it's probably closer to a 40 minute drive, but no indulgent trip to the North East in complete with a visit to the Milawa gourmet region. At the gateway to the beautiful King Valley, Milawa is home to makers of fine food, wine and produce, from boutique producers through to some of Australia's biggest names. Some of our favourite spots include the Milawa Cheese Factory, Milawa Mustard and the Brown Brothers cellar door and restaurant.
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For more details on all things indulgent visit the Milawa Gourmet Region website.
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King Valley
The fabulous King Valley gets special mention here, as it is undoubtably one of our favourite High Country destinations. If you're taking the trip to Milawa, consider making a day of it and tour the Prosecco Road. Known for its cool-climate and Italian wines, the King Valley is home to wonderful family-owned wineries including Dal Zotto, Pizzini, Chrismont and Sam Miranda. Be sure also to check out King Rive Brewing and King Valley Fine Foods in Whitfield.
For more on the many and varied indugences on offer throughout the North East visit Feast High Country.
Explore
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In Yackandandah
Yackandandah owes a lot of its early European heritage to the gold miners who flocked to the area in the 1850s.
Today the town is home to many acclaimed artists, from potters to painters, sculptors to stitchers. Wander the stunning streets of Yack and discover unique artworks, crafts, music and antiques in the eclectic mix of galleries, shops and studios.
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Art, Music and Antiques
Highlights include the Sluga Gallery on High Street, which is a showcase for contemporary local aritst Charles sluga. The Yack Station Precinct is a unique space in its own right, being constructed largely form recycled and repurposed materials, and is home to a variety of small artist studios and workshop areas. Just around the corner for the Retreat is also local ceramic artist John Dermer's Kirby Flat Pottery gallery.
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The highlight of the musical calendar, attracting thousands of music lovers from all over Australia and the world, is the renowned Yackandandah Folk Festival, where the streets come alive with colourful personalities, world class musicians and family friendly activities.
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Gold Mining Heritage
At the bottom of Haring Lane, just a short walk from both the Retreat or the Centre of Town, you will find the Yackandandah Gorge scenic walk, which gives a glimpse into Yack's gold mining past and takes in some of the old workings along the Yackandandah creek.
To dig deeper into the areas gold mining heritage, the Karr's Reef Goldmine Tour take you by 4WD into the World Heritage listed Karr's Reef mine and explores the history of gold in Yackandandah and the miners who came to searching for it.
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Within 30 minutes
As you drive through Beechworth it's hard to miss the Old Beechworth Jail. It is an imposing structure and is most famous for it's place in the Ned Kelly story, with Ned and the whole Kelly Gang spending time behind it's bars. Daily tours are available and come highly recommended.
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The Woolshed Falls area is located just outside of Beechworth where you can view the cascading falls, enjoy a leisurely picnic or take a self-guided walk around the alluvial gold workings. The falls themselves are amazing after rain and are a very popular swimming spot in summer, when the pools above the falls make wonderful natural plunge pools.
Ride High Country
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Cycling is booming in Victoria's High Country and our region is packed with mountain bike parks, rail trails, endless quiet gravel backroads and some of Australia's most iconic road climbs.
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We are passionate about cycling and it is something we love to share with our guests. To help get the most out of your riding on a visit to Yackandandah, check out our Bike Red Box page for details and highlights of all the local riding options.
Be sure also to check out Ride High Country.
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