Famous for its scenic beauty, the enchanting country town of Wallan is a convenient link between Melbourne’s city and the rural charms of the Goulburn Valley River Region.
Located on Wallan’s doorstep, the Goulburn Valley encompasses the delightful towns of Kilmore, Seymour, Nagambie and Kinglake, which have long been synonymous with all sorts of cultural and culinary delights including award winning wineries, country pubs, farmgate gourmet produce and relics of the region’s rich history. The Goulburn Valley Region is famous for its gold mining, wine growing, and infamous for its association with some of the most historic Ned Kelly sites. In addition, Kilmore which was settled in 1837, also lays claim to the title of Victoria’s oldest inland town. Enjoy a range of outdoor activities including teeing off at Wallan’s golf club, taking to the water for a boat ride or fishing expedition, taking a leisurely horse ride or simply enjoying the perfect backdrop for a family picnic.

FISHING

Your catch of the day could be Golden Perch, Trout or Cod when you drop a line in one of many lakes and rivers of the Goulburn River system. Find out if they’re biting at Yea River, Nagambie Lakes or King Parrot Creek in Strath Creek.

WALKING, HIKING & CYCLING

Experience the great outdoors at Kinglake National Park, enjoy Wombelano Falls, a picnic at Island Creek or a mountain bike ride along the Bowden Spur trail. There are great bushwalking trails at Macedon Regional Park and Hanging Rock Reserve as well as the Mount Disappointment State Forest.

WINERIES & MICRO BREWERIES

Some of Australia’s oldest and award winning wineries are at the heart of the Goulburn Valley. You’ll find these within easy reach of Springridge in Kilmore and many more if you head towards Heathcote or Nagambie. If beer and ales are more your thing, head to the Holgate Brewhouse in Kyneton. This family owned micro-brewery crafts all its beer on-premises with 100% malt and water of the Macedon Ranges.

REAL COUNTRY PRODUCE

All these activities are likely to whet your appetite, and you’ll find a plethora of palate-pleasing choices all made with fresh local produce. Sample local poultry, eggs and produce at the Wallan Old Time Market, which showcases 150 stalls of new and old wares each month at Hadfield Park. Wallan’s own Hogan’s Cafe Bar Restaurant serves gourmet dishes from local producers in its large dining area with cathedral ceilings. Enjoy a good drop from an impressive wine list and the kids will love the enclosed playground. Great food meets history at Wallder’s Cafe in Kilmore, where you can enjoy homemade meals, great coffee and a garden setting in the cafe’s 100 year old building which was constructed by the Wallder family in 1908.

REAL HISTORY

Wallan’s neighbouring suburb Beveridge was the birthplace of one of history’s most notorious criminals, Ned Kelly. His early childhood home still stands today, with its restored bluestone chimney and split weatherboard and is a significant site on the Victorian Heritage Register. Local legend had it that Kelly was imprisoned at nearby Old Kilmore Gaol.  The bluestone gaol, built in 1859 as a maximum security prison was converted to a butter factory in 1891 and is today a tourist attraction with guided tours, antiques, a monthly market and a restaurant.