Melbourne to Wangaratta drive: Distance, time and road trip stops

The Melbourne to Wangaratta drive covers a 251km distance, with a driving time of around 2h39m. Good road trip stops to add to the itinerary include the wineries around Seymour, the Benalla Art Gallery and the Ned Kelly trail in Glenrowan.

The Melbourne to Wangaratta drive connects Victoria’s capital city to one of its major rural hubs. Wangaratta is where the Hume Highway and Great Alpine Road meet.

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Wangaratta, meanwhile, makes a solid base for special tasting experiences at two of Australia’s top wineries – Brown Brothers and Pizzini Wines.

The Ovens and King rivers also have their confluence here.

Melbourne to Wangaratta distance and driving time

The quickest route from Melbourne to Wangaratta is along the Hume Highway. It’s not the shortest, but the 251km distance is covered in a driving time of two hours and 39 minutes.

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Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
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After leaving Melbourne’s northern suburbs, the route passes Wallan, the Wandong Regional Park and Broadford.

The first decent stop on the Melbourne to Wangaratta drive, however, is Tallarook. Here, you can walk to Mount Hickey in the Tallarook State Forest, or visit local wineries such as Trawool Estate.

Melbourne to Wangaratta drive: Seymour and Euroa

Seymour is the next town along. There are more wineries here, while the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk is moving and the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre offers heritage train tours.

Continuing along the Hume Highway, and options include the Wandong Regional Park, plus the Euroa Butter Factory in Euroa.

Melbourne to Wangaratta road trip: Benalla and Glenrowan

You’re best off heading straight through to Benalla, however. Here, the Benalla Art Gallery is the star – it punches well above its weight for a regional gallery.

Pick the best Benalla accommodation options

The best places to stay in Benalla are…

For a solid, affordable motel with a pool: Glider City Motel.
For family-friendly cabins: Benalla Tourist Park.
For central location: Top of the Town Motel.

After Benalla, the highlight of the Melbourne to Wangaratta drive is Glenrowan, scene of Ned Kelly’s last stand. The interpretive displays on Siege Street tell the story.

Big Ned Kelly in Glenrowan, Victoria. — The Big Ned Kelly is outside the post office, but Ned Kelly’s last stand took place on Siege Street in Glenrowan. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

It’s a short drive from Glenrowan to Wangaratta, although you may be tempted to detour to the King Valley wineries around Milawa.

Things to do in Wangaratta when you arrive include swimming in the Ovens River from the Northern Beaches and checking out Aboriginal sculptures on the Bullawah Cultural Trail.

Wangaratta accommodation options include the riverside Big4 Wangaratta North Cedars Holiday Park and the well-equipped Quest apartments.