Top tips for a weekend drive to the King Valley

Close to: Melbourne. 250km via the Hume freeway to Moyhu.
Day or Weekend: Definitely the weekend. Gourmet-loving couples should stay at Casa Luna (there’s even a bocce court). Groups up to six will love the country charm and outstanding views at Mt Bellevue, or the vineyard experience of the exclusive guest house at Chrismont. Good value accommodation can be had at the Moyhu Hotel.
Hidden Gem: Getting lost in the hedge maze at Brookfield Maze, Myrrhee.
Everybody goes to: King Valley Dairy at Moyhu.
Take home: As much fabulous King Valley wine as you can fit in the boot.

While trucks and interstate commuters plough the nearby Hume Freeway or snow bunnies zap past on their way to the ski fields, this haven for foodies, outdoor adventurers and wine buffs slumbers peacefully in the north-east Victorian sunshine.

The quick way to King Valley turns-off the Hume Highway at either the Benalla or Glenrowan exits. But a much more scenic route from Melbourne heads first to the beautiful Yarra Valley, then the towns of Yea and Mansfield, before reaching the King Valley at Whitfield (the Whitfield Road, in particular, has spectacular views and some fun driving corners).

It’s a fertile region where Italian farmers grew tobacco, before switching to grapes and these days that Italian heritage is borne out by grape varieties such as Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Friulano, Verduzzo, Sangiovese and Barbera, to name just a few. The King Valley has also become renowned for Australia’s best Prosecco – just follow the Prosecco Road for a sparkling experience.

Names such as Pizzini and Dal Zotto adorn two of the area’s more famous wineries and you can drop into either to taste, buy and browse.

Better than that, Pizzini’s A Tavola cooking school does a variety of day-long classes.

Turning to lunch or dinner, Dal Zotto’s Trattoria is a great place for home-cooked, regional Italian dishes. Afterwards, work-off your meal on the fabulous bocce court (local rules mandate a glass on Prosecco in one hand, bocce ball in the other).

In fact, if you’re visiting the King Valley, you’ll want to have your eating and drinking boots on, because there is so much to taste.

For instance, the town of Moyhu features the King Valley Dairy (recently relocated from Myrtleford) which, as well as producing beautiful butter (try the smoked salt or truffled varieties) features a café and lots of takeaway goodies. Moyhu also has a traditional hotel with tasty meals, then there’s the Ineeta Café with its old-style sponge cakes, sausage rolls and décor.

Further south, there’s the gastro pub Mountain View Hotel while at nearby Cheshunt, Chrismont Winery’s restaurant and larder is a modern space sitting ethereally above the vines, serving top-notch modern cuisine in a true country environment taking in splendid views.

Especially in summer, don’t forget to check out the King River itself (it’s where the valley gets its name, after all) either at Moyhu where there’s a swimming hole and even a beach, or further south at Paradise Falls. Fly fisherman might even want to attempt catching a trout.

Our best advice is to have a loved one or bunch of friends for company, allocate at least a couple of days for some relaxed touring on quiet country roads and be prepared to eat, drink and be merry.

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