What is the Murray Farm Gate Trail?
The Murray Gate Farm Gate Trail between Albury and Echuca is a food trail showcasing local produce and drinks. Top stops on the driving route include Monichino Wines, Byramine Homestead, Eden Farm Produce, the Big Strawberry and Cactus Country.
If you do any sort of road trip in Australia, one thing that will come up time and time again – food trails. Dozens of areas in regional Australia have realised the value of stringing together local food and drink producers in a touring route. Give the route a name, put together a marketing map and hey presto – food trail.
While the concept may be overdone, it doesn’t mean it should just be ignored. Making a couple of stops along a food trail can be an enjoyable way of turning a dull drive from A to B into a day out.
Murray Valley Highway food trail
A good case in point is the Murray Farm Gate Trail in north-eastern Victoria. The drive from Albury to the historic town of Echuca along the Murray Valley Highway should take around two hours and 35 minutes.
You could do that direct after trying the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and a Murray River kayaking tour in Albury. Or, if you’ve got time to kill before a paddlesteamer cruise from the historic Port of Echuca, you can make a few stops for local food and drink.
Murray Gate Farm Trail: Corowa Whisky and Chocolate
The official Murray Farm Gate Trail passes through the Victorian towns of Yarrawonga, Cobram, Barmah and Nathalia. But it’s easy enough to nip north of the Murray into New South Wales for whisky-tasting at Corowa Whisky and Chocolate. You can also taste wines in the grounds of a castle at the All Saints winery in Wahgunyah, near Rutherglen.
Other stops be tailored to taste. The Murray Farm Gate Trail website collates the producers that are open to the public. Options include craft beers, limited edition wineries, cheesemakers, olive-growers and freshly-picked fruit.
For drink, some of the best options include the cellar door at Monichino Wines in Katunga. The scenic setting makes it a popular functions and wedding venue. Also charming is the historic Byramine Homestead, which has its own brewery.
Murray Gate Farm Trail: Garlic and strawberry farms
Elsewhere, Katamatite Garlic will help you ward off vampires, the Big Strawberry is good for traditional strawberry picking and Eden Farm Produce in Numurkah sells a wide range of biodynamic goodies.
Most fun of all, however, is Cactus Country in Strathmerton. This eccentric garden displays more than 4,000 species of cactus from around the world. It also serves up food made with cactus – including cactus ice cream.
If you’ve gorged yourself on food, it might be worth taking a walk in the Barmah National Park or Murray Valley National Park before arriving in Echuca.
More food trails in Australia
Things to do in the Swan Valley, Western Australia.
Australia’s underrated wine regions.
The Italian flavour of Victoria’s King Valley.
Browse the stalls at the Wanneroo Markets in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Tasting Coffin Bay oysters on South Australia‘s Eyre Peninsula.