Six country towns in Mitchell Shire perfect for a short break

Best for: Food and wine fans and military buffs

Seymour is a historic town hugging the banks of the Goulburn River that has heritage buildings, nature walks and a proud military history. The Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk in the town centre honours the Australians who served in the Vietnam War and features a memorial cairn, interpretive panels and war relics. The site of the former Seymour Army Camp is today the Australian Light Horse Memorial Park and features remnants of former army buildings. A short way out of town is the Puckapunyal Military Base and the site of the Australian Army Tank Museum. More than 80 tanks are on display spanning the First World War through to the 21st century. 

In October, Seymour is the scene of the Tastes of the Goulburn Festival, a celebration of the food and wine of the Goulburn River Valley. But all year round there are places to attract gourmands. Wine X Sam is an urban cellar door using cool-climate grapes from the Strathbogie Ranges that offers wine tasting and light bites. Grab lunch at the Prince, a country pub offering classics made with local produce, or Brewer’s Table, a café serving quality coffee and brunch. The Winery Kitchen is an award-winning Italian restaurant at the Somerset Crossing vineyard that serves woodfired pizza. Or if you’re on the go grab a chunky steak and pepper pie from Gaffneys Bakery and Pie Kitchen. 

Best for: Quirky shopping and historic architecture

The oldest inland town in Australia, Kilmore was originally a stopover for drovers on the Sydney track, and later for prospectors on the way to the goldfields. Today it’s a pleasant township replete with country pubs, bakeries, quirky shopping and cosy BnBs such as the 1862 Bindley House. Other historic buildings include Whitburgh Cottage (1852), the Old Gaol (1859), the Old Town Hall (1894), Old Kilmore Post Office (1861), Kilmore Courthouse (1863), and Kilmore Hospital (1859). Climb Monument Hill for walking tracks through a bush park reserve, and scale the Hume and Hovell monument (honouring the eponymous explorers) for views over Kilmore.

Examine the work of expert luthiers at the Guitar Room by Thomas Lloyd Guitars – you can even book in to build your very own guitar. Just out of town the Meat Room hosts salami-making classes and has a farm gate store selling free-range salami and pork. Find locally made gifts at the Handmade Marketplace and get a gluten and dairy-free feed at Raaww Café. Kilmore is less than an hour’s drive from the CBD and perfect for daytrips, or it can function as your gateway to the Goulburn Valley.

Best for: Ramblers and honeymooners

These two itty-bitty towns are starting points on the Great Victorian Rail Trail which, at 134km, is the longest trail in Victoria and popular with cyclists, horse riders and walkers. The trail follows the route of a former railway line and takes you along picturesque riverbanks, through majestic valleys and past mountains and lakes.

Tallarook has a friendly general store, local hotel and café. The Tallarook Hotel is character-filled country pub with quality food and a great beer garden. Time your visit for the first Sunday of the month and the Tallarook Farmers Market, which is small but but packed with fresh produce and local wares. On weekends, the Silver Princess café and art space invites visitors to browse and sip a cup of joe.

Teeny Trawool’s key offering is the Trawool Estate and Wild Water Restaurant, a boutique hotel and prestige restaurant open for breakfast (Fri-Mon), lunch (Fri-Sun) and dinner (Thu-Sun). A stay here among the gum trees is the very definition of rural bliss and bound to impress your significant other. 

Best for: Stocking up on local produce

Beautiful Tooborac township is famous for rolling hills and ancient granite boulders studding the landscape. The town is building its reputation for quality food and drink offerings with a number of cellar doors for wine enthusiasts. A wine-tasting experience can be had at the McIvor Estate cellar door that overlooks a large vineyard and olive grove – it also serves woodfired pizza. Both Merindoc Cottages and Mimosa Glen offer charming accommodation options. 

The Tooborac Hotel and Brewery is famous both for locally brewed, award-winning craft beers and its pie shop. Hearty Tooby pies, available hot or cold to take home, are baked here on the premises and include legendary rabbit and lamb varieties. McIvor Farm is a family farm rearing Berkshire pigs through a closed loop system of giving back to the soil. You can buy direct at the farm gate shop (check online for open days). Also worth a look is Tooborac General Store, a charming, trading-post style mixed business with an adjoining café.

Best for: Families

A mere 50 minutes from central Melbourne, Wallan’s big drawcard is the Community Bank® Adventure Playground and splash park in Hadfield Park. Kids will love scaling the five-storey tower and riding three slides back down to earth, whizzing along in the accessible flying fox, or braving the water jets. The playground is free, with the splash park operating December to March.

Make a day trip of it and check out the monthly Wallan Olde Time Market, with local arts and crafts, international foods, local produce, plants and bric-a-brac. The 1877 Wallan Free Library and Mechanics' Institute Hall sits proudly in the centre of the town and is still used by the local community today. Fairway fans will want to check out the award-winning golf courses at Hidden Valley and Mandalay in Beveridge. Both resorts have bistros and there are other family-friendly dining options in Wallan including the Pretty Sally Bakehouse, Open House Café and Vento Café.