In this update

• Free Tourism Business and Event Listings
• John Foord Bridge upgrade work 
• News from Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre 
  • Rutherglen Wine Show

  • Super Tuscan Friday at James & Co. Wines

  • Scion x Slow Grown Pizza Pop-up

  • Cofield Bottomless Brunch

  • Rutherglen Annual Agricultural Show

• News from Chiltern Visitor Information Centre

  • Open Mic at the Telegraph Hotel

  • Kuksa carving workshop with Paul Boyer

• Industry News and Support
  • Ride High Country Preferred Program now open
  • First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program
  • Festivals Australia Funding
  • Revive Live Grants Program
  • Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants
  • Regional Events Fund: Event Growth and Development (Stream 2)

Free Tourism Business & Event Listings
Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) 

Get your business discovered across multiple tourism platforms - 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? Your business or event will automatically appear on:

• 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 the resources for how to create your ATDW profile here.

Our experienced team is ready to help you create or update your ATDW business or event listing. Simply contact us:

Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre
Email: info@explorerutherglen.com.au
Phone: 1800 622 871

John Foord Bridge upgrade work to start at Corowa

Transport for NSW is planning essential maintenance work on the John Foord Bridge (between Corowa and Wahgunyah) to ensure a stronger and safer crossing over the Murray River. This vital upgrade will improve the bridge's structural lifespan and enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians.

Work will begin in mid-September and is expected to take approximately nine months, wrapping up in June 2026, pending good weather.

To complete this work safely, temporary road and bridge closures, detours, and reduced speed limits will be in place. The community will be notified of all traffic changes.

Here's what you need to know:

• There will be six planned full-day closures throughout the project, with the first scheduled for Tuesday 18 November. 
• Detour and closure information will be posted on signage at the bridge and on Live Traffic.
• The pedestrian path along the river bank will remain open, but a small section of the recreation area on the north-east side of the bridge will be closed for the project's site office.
• Signage will guide users of the shared path safely around the work site.

While some construction noise is unavoidable, all efforts will be made to minimise disruptions and ensure the safety of the community.

Residents and motorists are encouraged to read the notification letter from Transport NSW via the button below.

Working hours will be from 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8:00am to 1:00pm on weekends as needed. There are no plans for work during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

From Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre

Hello everyone, 

It’s been a busy weekend in Rutherglen, with plenty of visitors from New South Wales and Canberra, and many attending weddings in or around town. Visitors have been out enjoying the Rutherglen Loops trail network — some for winery cellar door visits and some for fresh air and excercise. We also welcomed international guests from New Zealand, Malaysia and the Philippines, many of whom were looking for recommendations on where to stay and eat.

Rutherglen Historical Society will be holding a clearance sale at the Rutherglen Museum on Saturday 20 September, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Expect a great selection of books, bric-a-brac, glassware and furniture - all reasonably priced.

Rutherglen Lions Club Community Garage Sale is coming up on Sunday 26 October, kicking off at 8:00am. Locals keen to take part can register their property at the Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre. The $10 cash registration fee includes four balloons and a sign. A letterbox drop will also be happening in October.

Please note: Nadine Simpson is currently on annual leave until Monday 22 September. During this time, please direct any queries to our friendly centre team on 02 6033 6306 or info@explorerutherglen.com.au

Wishing you a wonderful fortnight ahead. 

Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre team

Rutherglen Wine Show

Presentation Dinner

Tuileries Restaurant at De Bortoli Wines
13 Drummond Street, Rutherglen
Thursday 25 September
6:30pm - 11:00pm

Enjoy an evening of fine dining, wine and celebration as the winners of the 2025 Rutherglen Wine Show are presented.

Public Tasting

AE Henderson Pavillion and Showgrounds
171 High Street, Rutherglen
Friday 26 September
6:00pm - 10:00pm

Come and sample the newly crowned award winning wines from this year’s Rutherglen Wine Show and Australian Fortified Wine Show. Over 800 wines are available to sample, with canapes provided by Rutherglen’s Savoy Truffle Co. Bookings essential.

Super Tuscan Friday – Pizza, Wine and Good Vibes

James & Co. Wines
136 Main Street, Rutherglen
Friday 26 September
5:00pm - 7:30pm

On the last Friday of every month, James & Co. Wines team up with their mates at Pizza By Five Letters for a night of incredible Italian-style pizza, their cool climate Sangiovese and Italian style wines, and easygoing Friday night vibes.

This is laid-back and local, come as you are. Not a wine drinker? No worries! There's beer, gin and tonics and soft drinks too. No bookings required, just roll in from 5:00pm.

Scion x Slow Grown Pizza Pop-up

Scion Wine
74 Slaughterhouse Road, Rutherglen
Saturday 4 October
12:00pm - 5:00pm

Slow down and savour the afternoon at Scion Wine with a woodfired pizza pop-up by the baking legends from Slow Grown Foods. Enjoy sourdough pizza made with locally grown and organic ingredients, served among the grey box gums.

Local musician Dave Daly will set the mood with folk-indie-roots tunes, while you sip on Scion wines, by the glass or bottle. You can also enjoy Muscat gin and tonics, local beers and non-alcoholic options.

Table bookings are recommended. Choose outdoor seating or relax on picnic rugs and cushioned milk crates on the lawn.

Cofield Bottomless Brunch

Cofield Wines
341 Distillery Road, Wahgunyah
Sunday 5 October
10:00am - 12:00pm

Indulge in a relaxed and flavour-packed morning at Cofield Wines with a bottomless brunch crafted by Quartz Executive Chef, Kim Fitzpatrick. Enjoy two hours of free-flowing Cofield sparkling wines, whites and mimosas, paired with a menu featuring mains and shared plates.

Dietary needs including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free can be catered for – just add a note when booking.

Bookings are essential.

Rutherglen Annual Agricultural Show

Rutherglen Showgrounds
171 High Street, Rutherglen
Sunday 19 October
8:30am - 4:30pm

Rutherglen's annual Agricultural Show is a celebration of rural life and community spirit, featuring a full horse program, cattle parading, sheep and fleece exhibits, farm produce, poultry, and pavilion competitions in baking, needlecrafts, photography, arts and crafts, and horticulture.

Enjoy unique displays including the dog high jump, NEBAA wood chop, Tentpegging Victoria, facepainting and shearing. Market stalls offer a chance to pick up a bargain and there’s entertainment for all ages with Clydesdale wagon rides, live performances and Victorian Showmen’s Guild side shows.

All are welcome to enter as exhibitors or simply come along and enjoy the day.

Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Update

Hello everyone,

What a weekend in Chiltern!

The inaugural Back to the 1950s Festival brought colour, music and vintage flair to town last weekend. The sold-out fashion parade set the tone early, while the historic Star Theatre hosted two screenings of Grease, delighting audiences of all ages.

Conness Street was transformed into a retro showcase, with dozens of stunning 1950s cars and bikes cruising to Barnawartha and back along Old Highway 31. Dance demonstrations by Johnny’s Rockers drew crowds throughout the day and stole the spotlight at the evening dance, backed by live tunes from local band 50s Fools.

Local businesses embraced the theme, decorating their windows in true 50s style, while Barnawartha hosted its own celebration featuring an art show, bake sale, music and vintage vehicles.

Sunday’s Chiltern Community Market wrapped up the weekend with a bustling atmosphere and plenty of local flavour.

Coming up next: Mark your diaries for the Annual Chiltern Town Garage Sale on Sunday 16 November. Dozens of households will open their garages for a treasure trove of bargains - don’t miss it!

Wishing you a wonderful fortnight ahead. 

Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Team

Open Mic

Telegraph Hotel
21-23 Conness Street, Chiltern
Saturday 20 September
3:00pm - 6:00pm

Warm up your vocal cords and dust off your guitar - the Telegraph Hotel is throwing open the stage for an afternoon of live music and local talent. Whether you're into folk, funk, country or covers, all genres are welcome.

Each performer gets up to three songs, so arrive early to secure your spot on the list and soak up the good vibes.

Kuksa carving workshop with Paul Boyer

Nat Ord Artist & Supplier
53 Conness Street, Chiltern
Saturday 11 October
9:00am - 5:00pm

Discover the ancient Scandinavian tradition of woodcarving in this hands-on workshop led by skilled craftsperson Paul ‘Polly’ Boyer. Learn to carve your own kuksa - a classic wooden drinking cup - using traditional hand tools and greenwood.

Some carving experience is recommended, along with a keen interest in learning a rewarding new skill. Participants will leave with a functional and beautiful handmade piece.

Industry News and Support