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In this update
- Free Tourism Business and Event Listings
- News from Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre
Campbells Wines Sunset Drinks
Eclectika – An Exhibition of Mixed Media at Studio P4
Summer Vibes at Cofield Wines
Sunday Series at The Victoria Hotel
Super Tuscan Friday at James & Co. Wines
- News from Chiltern Visitor Information Centre
Community Carols by Candlelight
Henry Handel Richardson Birthday Picnic at Lake View House
- Industry News and Support
- Quarterly Tourism Snapshot
- Farm Drought Support Grants
- Ride High Country Preferred Program Round 1 Applications Close 17 December
- New Accessible Travel Guide to Victoria's High Country
- Tiny Towns Fund
Free Tourism Business & Event Listings
Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW)
Get your business discovered across multiple tourism websites and platforms, reaching millions of people (really!) and at no cost.
Is your tourism business or event missing from the official Rutherglen or Chiltern website? We can help you get listed for free and significantly boost your online visibility.
Why list with ATDW?
You only need to create one FREE listing for your business or event and it will automatically appear on multiple sites and platforms including:
- visitvictoria.com
- victoriashighcountry.com.au
- explorerutherglen.com.au or
- explorechiltern.com.au
- Victoria's High Country App
- Indigo's What's On calendar
Ready to get started? Check out how to create your ATDW profile here. If you need any help, please call, or email us:
Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre
Email: info@explorerutherglen.com.au
Phone: 1800 622 871
From Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre
Hello everyone,
Congratulations to Amber and Shannon, from Amberesque B&B, who have been recognised with a Highly Commended award at the Victorian Tourism Awards in Melbourne. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the welcoming spirit and dedication they bring to their guests.
Our little giftshop has been buzzing with activity as friends and neighbours pop in to find the perfect Christmas presents. Hampers have been especially popular this year, filled with local goodies that make thoughtful gifts for loved ones.
A friendly reminder that the Visitor Information Centre will be closed on Christmas Day but open on all other days throughout the festive season.
If you haven’t yet shared your business' Christmas to New Years hours for our community information sheet, it’s not too late! Please email your details to info@explorerutherglen.com.au so we can make sure visitors and locals alike know when they can pop in to see you.
Wishing you a wonderful fortnight ahead.
Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre team
Campbells Wines Sunset Drinks
Campbells Wines
4603 Murray Valley Highway, Rutherglen
Friday 12 December
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Relax with friends and enjoy great wine and food, live music with Rutherglen local Patrick Russell and a classic sunset over Campbells’ Bobbie Burns Vineyard.
The Cellar Door will be open late for tastings and purchases, and delicious vineyard platters will be available to pre-order or purchase on the night.
Eclectika – An Exhibition of Mixed Media
Studio P4
3 Sheridans Bridge Road, Rutherglen
Now open until Monday 26 January
Eclectika brings together an inspiring collection of works by talented local artists at Studio P4. Visitors can explore unique creations from Ann Killeen, Glenda Mackay, Paul Blake, Di Kotzur, Kerrie Ware and Toni Harris across a range of mixed media styles. Open Thursday, Friday and Monday from 11:00am - 4:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am - 2:00pm.
Summer Vibes
Cofield Wines
341 Distillery Road, Wahgunyah
Selected Saturdays across December and January
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Summer Vibes at Cofield Wines brings live music on Saturdays throughout summer, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxing on the lawn with a drink in hand. While lawn bookings aren’t essential, they’re recommended, and if you’d like to enjoy lunch or order from the café, Quartz bookings are highly advised to avoid disappointment.
Sunday Series
The Victoria Hotel
90 Main Street, Rutherglen
Sunday 14 and Sunday 28 December
2:30pm - 5:30pm
Come down to the Victoria Hotel’s beer garden in Rutherglen on select Sundays for their Sunday Series and enjoy live music in the garden.
Chill music, golden light, and a cold drink in hand equals the perfect combo for a cruisy Rutherglen afternoon. Gather your crew, find a sunny spot, and let the good vibes roll.
Super Tuscan Friday
James & Co. Wines
136 Main Street, Rutherglen
Friday 19 December
From 5:00pm
Pizza By Five Letters serve carefully crafted, traditional-style pizzas from the onsite oven, with thoughtful toppings and perfectly balanced dough. Guests can enjoy James & Co.’s own handcrafted wines, specialising in Sangiovese and other Italian varietals sourced from nearby Beechworth and Alpine Valleys. Not a wine drinker? Beer, gin and tonics, and soft drinks are available too.
Walk-ins only, no bookings required.
Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Update
Hello everyone,
Chiltern has welcomed a steady stream of visitors recently, each with their own unique interests. From birdwatching in the stunning Chiltern–Mount Pilot National Park and exploring historic gold mining sites (with a few keen prospectors among them), to couples and cycling groups seeking scenic routes, and those retracing family roots or revisiting childhood memories of the area.
We’ve also seen plenty of travellers stopping off for a break from the highway, eager to stretch their legs and enjoy a stroll through our charming historic town.
Read on for all the details on what's coming up in Chiltern.
Wishing you a fantastic fortnight ahead.
Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Team
Community Carols by Candlelight
Chiltern Tourist Park
Main Street, Chiltern
Friday 19 December
From 5:30pm
This family-friendly, alcohol and drug-free event is the perfect way to kick off the festive season. Enjoy a gold coin donation BBQ proudly hosted by The Chiltern Lions Club, then settle in for Carols by Candlelight as the sun sets and the stars begin to twinkle.
Make sure to bring chairs or a picnic rug, mosquito spray (just in case!) and your best singing voice and festive spirit. See you there!
Henry Handel Richardson Birthday Picnic
Lake View House
11 Wills Street, Chiltern
Saturday 3 January
From 6:00pm
Come and share this special occasion at the writer's home with Henry Handel Richardson fans, residents of Chiltern and members of the Henry Handel Richardson Society.
Events
Please list your events on ATDW so they appear on this calendar. Your event will also appear on:
explorerutherglen.com.au
explorechiltern.com.au
victoriashighcountry.com.au
visitvictoria.com
If you require assistance, the Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre staff are happy to help.
Thursday 11 December - Rutherglen Rotary Community Carols at Rutherglen Lions Park
Friday 12 December - Campbells Wines Sunset Drinks
Saturday 13 December - Summer Vibes at Cofield Wines
Sunday 14 December - Rutherglen Market at Lions Park
Sunday 14 December - Sunday Series at The Victoria Hotel
Friday 19 December - Super Tuscan Friday at James & Co. Wines
Friday 19 December - Chiltern Christmas Carols at the Chiltern Tourist Park, 5:30pm
Saturday 20 December - Summer Vibes at Cofield Wines
Sunday 28 December - Sunday Series at The Victoria Hotel
Sunday 28 December - Spritz Sunday in the Courtyard at De Bortoli Tuileries
Wednesday 31 December - Noble New Year’s Degustation Dinner at Tuileries
Wednesday 31 December - New Year’s Eve White Night at the Victoria Rutherglen
Thursday 1 January - New Year's Day Lawn Party at St Leonards Vineyard
Saturday 3 January - The Henry Handel Richardson annual Birthday Picnic at Lake View House, 6:00pm
Industry News and Support
Quarterly Tourism Snapshot
We are pleased to share the third edition of the Quarterly Tourism Snapshot.
The Quarterly Tourism Snapshot – Q3 2025 provides a detailed look at tourism performance across Indigo Shire from July to September 2025. Highlights include visitor spend across Beechworth, Chiltern, Rutherglen, and Yackandandah, updates on social media engagement, and recent marketing and industry development initiatives.
Farm Drought Support Grants – primary producers
The Victorian Government is providing more than $146.5 million in direct support to help farmers and communities across Victoria impacted by drought.
What's available:
- Grants up to $5,000 (ex-GST)
- Household Financial Relief payments
- Farm management advice and planning help
- Farm debt mediation support, and a duties and fees relief package.
- On-farm Kangaroo Control Rebate Program.
- Mental health and wellbeing events
- and more
Ride High Country Preferred Program Round 1 Applications Close 17 December
Tourism North East is inviting businesses to apply for the refreshed Ride High Country Preferred Program, designed to strengthen our region’s position as Australia’s Premier Cycling Destination. This program is more than an evolution – it’s a cycling revolution, aiming to deliver a truly end-to-end, cycle-centric visitor experience across the entire region.
If you want the chance to be featured in the launch marketing campaign, benefit from visual asset capture, content creation, PR opportunities, and famils, make sure your application is submitted by Wednesday 17 December.
The program is open to businesses offering:
- Bike services
- Accommodation
- Food & beverage
Please note: If your business was previously part of the Ride High Country Preferred Program, you will need to reapply under the refreshed criteria and strengthened program structure.
New Accessible Travel Guide to Victoria's High Country
Designed to give holidaymakers the knowledge and confidence they need to plan a visit, the Accessible Travel Guide to Victoria's High Country highlights accessible travel options, features inclusive tourism operators, and offers essential planning resources.
Tiny Towns Fund - Round 3
The Tiny Towns Fund supports local communities to deliver quality tourism and community facility projects, such as splash parks and bike trails, playgrounds, community hall and library upgrades, public art and more.
The fund is open to applications from incorporated not-for-profit community organisations and Local Government Authorities that operate in Victoria.
Grants between $5,000 and $50,000 are available for each project.
All applicants are required to make financial contributions towards the proposed project in line with the requirements outlined in the guidelines.
Round 3 of the Tiny Towns Fund is now open until Wednesday 4 February 2026.
