Sitting at the junction of the Ovens and King Rivers, Wangaratta is a laid-back town first settled in the 1940s. It's a fascinating slice of the Victorian High Country, with opportunities to admire the region’s rural scenery and discover the legacy of Australia's most infamous bushrangers.
Things to do in Wangaratta
Thanks to a recent revitalisation, the waterfront is now the beating heart of Wangaratta's social scene. It's lined with breezy cafes and restaurants that boast sweeping views of the Ovens River. Cafe the Prevue is a local favourite, featuring large windows, a spacious sun terrace and some of Wangaratta's best coffee.
Stretching from Wangaratta to Bright, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail traces the route of a disused railway line. The scenic cycle track winds through the heart of Victoria's High Country and is a great way to take in the natural beauty of the region.
To the south of the town centre is Wangaratta Cemetery, home to the grave of Dan “Mad Dog” Morgan, one of Australia's most infamous bushrangers. Make sure you don’t miss any of the notable gravesites in the cemetery by picking up a self-guided tour map from the Wangaratta Visitor Centre.
Just down the road is the tiny township of Glenrowan, where Ned Kelly was famously captured in 1880. Today the legacy of Kelly and his gang is preserved in a string of historic attractions, museums and self-guided walks. Don’t miss the Glenrowan Inn, where Kelly took his final stand against law enforcement.
Getting around Wangaratta
Wangaratta sits along the Hume Highway, approximately 250 kilometres from Melbourne. Trains also run from Southern Cross to Wangaratta Station in around three hours. The town is small and easy to navigate on foot, but you'll need a car to explore the rest of the Victorian High Country.