Fertile valleys greet forest-cloaked mountains, offering spectacular bushwalking and sightseeing.

An 80km-long bike path runs along crystal clear rivers and past vineyards, hop vines, apple orchards and nut groves. Once tobacco country, its mostly Italian farmers have turned to other crops such as green tea and Italian grape varieties to make prosecco and pinot grigio.

Down on the flats, Rutherglen is home to Australia's fortified wine tradition with some muscats being made with wine aged for over a century. Historic towns preserve their heritage, including the Ned Kelly infamy, while others such as Beechworth and Bright, with their wineries, breweries and award-winning restaurants, are food destinations in themselves.