Things to do in Benalla, Victoria: What are the best attractions?

The best things to do in Benalla, Victoria, include the Benalla Art Gallery, Benalla Aviation Museum and Winton Wetlands around Lake Mokoan.

Benalla, Victoria, is one of the largest towns on the Victoria section of the Hume Highway. If driving from Sydney to Melbourne, you’re likely to pass through it.

In recent years, Benalla has branched out from being a rural service centre, developing something of an arty reputation. The town has thoroughly embraced street art. There’s an annual mural festival seeing more and more works put up around Benalla.

Things to do in Benalla, Victoria: Benalla murals and Benalla Art Gallery

There’s a special website collating all the Benalla murals. You can use this mural guide to plot out a self-guided Benalla street art tour.

But street art isn’t the only big investment in art. Arguably top of the list of things to do in Benalla is a visit to the Benalla Art Gallery. This is justifiably regarded as one of the best regional art galleries in Australia.

The Benalla Art Gallery in Benalla, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

Things to do in Benalla, Victoria: Benalla Aviation Museum and Winton Wetlands

The other main cultural attraction in Benalla is the Benalla Aviation Museum. Most visitors will come to coo over the old aircraft. But the tales of wartime pilot training are arguably more interesting.

There are also several natural attractions near Benalla. The Winton Wetlands is an ambitious wetland restoration project, based around former artificial lake Lake Mokoan. The ultimate aim is for it to be a birdwatching paradise, but for now there’s a café, campground and art trail centred around the giant mural on the water tower.

Benalla attractions: Reef Hills State Park

Other things to do in Benalla include visiting the Reef Hills State Park to the south-west of the town. There are walking trails here, but the Reef Hills State Park is best known for its spring wildflowers.

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.

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