Nina Caplan picks out the King Valley restaurants, hotels and shops to include in your trip.
King Valley hotels
Chrismont Guest House
A comfy guest house with its own kitchen, in the grounds of the beautiful Chrismont winery. The owners are in the process of building a restaurant with superb views. www.chrismont.com.au
Jessie’s Creek Cottage
A well laid-out, three-bedroom cottage that sleeps six, with two bathrooms. Situated in Whitfield, walking distance from restaurants, wineries and a local spa. www.jessiescreekcottage.com
Lindenwarrah Hotel
A mid-sized hotel (40 rooms) opposite Brown Brothers with an outdoor pool and lovely views over vineyards and gardens via full-length windows and shared verandas. Restaurant Merlot makes good use of local produce, too. www.lancemore.com.au/lindenwarrah
King Valley restaurants
This charming boutique hotel beside Jessie’s Creek in Whitfield is also a restaurant, with fine dining and gastropub options, both taking advantage of the mass of locally grown produce. www.mvhotel.com.au
Dreamed up by Alex Popov, son-in-law of Jorn Utzon, who designed Sydney Opera House. Excellent Italian food is served on the veranda, along with Sam’s wines. www.sammiranda.com.au
The Whitty Café
Also in Whitfield sits this informal eaterie, with armchairs and café-style grub although, being Australian, this is a café that serves wine, too. 4905 Wangaratta-Whitfield Road, Whitfield, Victoria 3733; +61 3 5729 8388
King Valley shops
This tiny shop and café on the edge of Milawa is decorated with cookbooks and sells home-made cakes and good coffee – and wine and produce to take home. www.snowroadproduce.com
A cheery caff in Mansfield serving pies and salads during the day – and offering local wines, beers and ciders for sale, too. www.theproducestore.com.au
King Valley places to visit
Lake William Hovell
At the valley’s south end, a beautiful spot for walking, picnicking and canoeing.
Paradise Falls
Here you can sit beneath a series of fabulous U-shaped waterfalls on Stony Creek, a tributary of the King River.
Powers Lookout
Great views. A few kilometres off the Mansfield-Whitfield Road lies this lookout, named for the bushranger (that is, outlaw) Harry Power, who apparently kept watch for the police from here.
