RUTHERGLEN to the Chiltern area Freeway

(www.northeastvictoria.online)

This route involves taking the Chiltern Road (Main Street, C377) from Ruthergeln through to the historic township of Chiltern, which has plenty of things to see and do.

Not far out of town, Andersons Winery is on left side of the roadway, and continuing south-east from Anderson's, Cornishtown Road (which can be ignored, but see the note below) comes up on the left, and veering left at Burgoynes Road leads to Mount Ophir Estate, an interesting structure dating from the late 1890s.

The winery building complex is in a baroque style, with a distinctive tower; it is currently operating as an exclusive site for private events, including weddings, corporate getaways, and luxury accommodation.

The C377 now cuts through a major section of Chiltern - Mount Pilot National Park, with nice bushland scenery to enjoy. There are several picnic areas and walking tracks etc in the Park; see the Chiltern township description for more details.

The National Park boundary is only a few kilometres from Chiltern, and the C377 leads into the main commercial street of the township (Conness Street), providing plenty of interest.

Also, whilst on the C377, you can veer right (with care) at about six kilometres from Rutherglen, and take the Chiltern Valley Road through to Chiltern.

This leads to a scenic run on the western edge of some high country, passing a memorial to the 1836 expedition of Major Thomas Mitchell. After a few more kilometres the route then meets up with Bridge Street / Albert Road at a t-junction, where a left turn leads to the township, not far away.

Continuing on from Chiltern, take the C377 (Main Street) to the Freeway, where a full clover-leaf intersection provides access to the north and south bound lanes. You can also continue straight-ahead at the Freeway, so as to access Beechworth and Yackandandah.

Another option from Chiltern is to take the Barnawartha Road (to the north) and follow this through to the charming little village of the same name.

From Barnawartha, there is again a full clover-leaf intersection at the Freeway, with the straight-ahead option leading to Yackandandah. Barnawartha is also home to the Star Hotel, well known for its excellent meals; details at www.starhotelbarny.com.au.

In either case, Chiltern is a ’must see’ destination of the North-east; see the township description on the Homepage for more details.

[The previously mentioned Cornishtown Road provides one of the most scenic drives in the Rutherglen area. Most routes in the area are quite flat, but Cornishtown Road cuts through some very scenic rolling hill country, with the appropriately excellent views. Follow Cornishtown Road through to its junction with the Old Howlong Road, and then turn left for Howlong (and the Murray Valley Highway) or right for Chiltern.]

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