Start with breakfast at a riverside café in Albury CBD — enjoy coffee and local produce while overlooking the Murray River; most cafes open around 7:30–8:00am. Great way to set up maps and confirm bookings for the trip.
Explore contemporary exhibitions and local works at MAMA — it's the region's major art space and usually open 10:00am–5:00pm (check seasonal hours). It's a compact, excellent introduction to regional art.
Walk the Botanic Gardens and climb Monument Hill for panoramic views across the Murray River; both are outdoor, generally open from dawn until dusk so check daylight times.
Drive ~40 minutes to historic Beechworth and grab breakfast at the famous Beechworth Bakery — opens early and is a local institution for pastries and coffee.
Explore the courthouse precinct and heritage walking trails around Beechworth; many sites are open daily, but museum hours vary — check the visitor centre for times.
Taste regional honey and local produce or visit a small cellar door for local wines; most small producers open late morning—confirm opening times in advance.
Short 20-minute drive to Yackandandah for a riverside lunch in a small historic gold-rush village with charming cafés open from 11:30–2:30pm typically.
Drive about 1 hour 10 minutes from Beechworth to Rutherglen, stopping at a café en route; plan to arrive mid-morning for cellar door openings (most open ~10:00am).
Visit All Saints Estate (historical winery) and Campbells for fortified wines; cellar doors typically open from 10:00am–4:00pm but check each winery for seasonal hours.
Have a long lunch at a winery restaurant or a village café sampling regional wines and produce; many cellar doors offer lunch menus Thurs–Sun, so check ahead.
Enjoy boating, kayak or paddleboard on Lake Mulwala — boat hire and watersports operators typically start from 9:00am; book summer weekends in advance.
Take an afternoon walk along the lake foreshore or, if you prefer, a round of golf at one of Yarrawonga's courses; check opening/booking times for courses.
Explore Bright’s tree-lined Main Street, boutique shops and local produce stores — a favourite alpine gateway town with morning markets on some weekends.
Drive ~30 minutes to Mount Buffalo for scenic lookouts, short walks and cliff-top views. National parks are open dawn–dusk; some tracks may be closed in bad weather so check Parks Victoria alerts.
Depart Bright for Glenrowan (approx 1h 40m) — stop for coffee on the way. Glenrowan is the site of the famous Ned Kelly siege and offers interpretive displays and monuments; visitor centres often open from 9:00am.
Visit the Glenrowan Heritage Centre and walk the historic siege sites — most sites are open daily but check the Glenrowan tourist information for precise opening times and guided tour availability.
Explore local galleries or take a walk along the Ovens River; galleries and small museums generally open 10:00am–4:00pm, so time your visits accordingly.
Leave Wangaratta for Benalla (approx 35 minutes) and enjoy breakfast near the lake; Benalla is famous for its street art and lakefront walk, with outdoor attractions open dawn–dusk.
Drive ~40 minutes to Shepparton and visit the celebrated Shepparton Art Museum (check current exhibition hours; usually open from 10:00am). SAM showcases modern and Indigenous art and is worth a visit.
If interested in food production, check local fruit and dairy producers or a nearby farm gate (book ahead); otherwise explore Shepparton’s town centre.
Depart Shepparton for Holbrook (approx 2h 15m). Stop for a quick breakfast en route and arrive mid-morning for the main attraction—the submarine display.
Visit the unique Holbrook submarine display (a tribute to HMAS Otway) and the town’s naval-themed attractions; usually open mornings to late afternoon—check local times.
Drive about 1h 30m to Tumut for a riverside stroll and views of the town set in the foothills — ideal for an afternoon unwind; national parks nearby may have variable access so check ahead if you plan bushwalking.
See the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox monument and stroll the historic Gundagai bridges and riverside precinct; monuments are outdoor and accessible at all times.
Drive ~1 hour to Yass, an attractive country town with artisan shops and a relaxed riverside precinct—great for an afternoon coffee and browsing; many shops open until 4–5pm.
Enjoy your first Canberra dinner either in the city (Braddon or Civic) or make a short drive to Pialligo Estate near the airport for a long-table dining experience; check opening nights and book ahead.
Visit the Australian War Memorial — allow 1.5–2 hours for galleries and the daily Last Post Ceremony (usually 4:45pm weekdays; times can change so check ahead). The Memorial is typically open 10:00am–5:00pm but double-check for special openings.
Head to Parliament House for a free guided tour or self-guided visit; public tours usually run from around 9:00am–4:00pm (confirm on the Parliament website and security entry times).
Enjoy lunch at the Old Parliament House café or a lakeside restaurant on Lake Burley Griffin to combine food with great views; these venues commonly serve from 12:00pm.
Choose the National Gallery (10:00–5:00pm typical hours) for art or Questacon for interactive science exhibits if travelling with children; check each institution’s opening hours and special exhibitions.
Drive or walk to Mount Ainslie lookout for a sunset panorama over Canberra and Lake Burley Griffin—a perfect photo opportunity and way to finish the trip.
Finish with a special farewell dinner at Pialligo Estate (check open nights) or a top Canberra restaurant in Braddon or Kingston; reservations strongly recommended.