In this update

• News from Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre 
  • Dark Side of Wine returns this August
  • Rutherglen Farmers Market
  • Sunday Series at the Victoria Hotel
  • Pizza Palooza with Grace at James & Co. Wines
  • Pinot & Picasso for Kids at Rutherglen Golf Club
  • Cofield Wines and Corowa Distillery Co. present: Barrel & Vine Dinner  
  • Rutherglen Redgum Medical Centre relocation
• News from Chiltern Visitor Information Centre

  • Chiltern Jam Session Weekend & Massive Record Sale

  • Friday night dinners at Posh Plonk on Main

  • Beginner Spoon Carving Workshop with Nat Ord

  • Chiltern Antiques Fair

• Industry News and Support
  • Changes to Victoria's Liquor Licensing

  • Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Survey

  • Book a free ATDW enhancement session with the Visit Victoria team

From Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre

Hello everyone, 

The first week of school holidays was consistent with the Last St Brewery's Isabella Cordial tastings proving a big hit with the young and old!  Despite the cooler weather, visitors have been happy to get outside and take in the scenery with a walk or ride along the Rutherglen Loops, although this rain has put a dampener on some would-be explorers' plans! Lucky Rutherglen has so many wonderfully cosy indoor options for them to choose from instead! 

We have restocked Brian Lloyd and John Kennedy's book on Rutherglen's history, with thanks to the good folks at the Rutherglen Historical Society. This book sold out last time, so don't miss out! 

As always, if you have any upcoming events or activities, we'd love to help you promote them. Listing your events on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) at www.atdw.com.au is free, and listings will automatically appear on explorerutherglen.com.au, victoriashighcountry.com.au and visitvictoria.com. Find out how to list your event for free, or contact us at the centre for assistance. 

Finally, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Wendy, Natasha, Ann, and their families on the passing of Simon Killeen last week. Simon’s knowledge and passion for the wine industry and Rutherglen’s history was well known and sought after, and he will be missed by us all.

Keep warm, 

Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre team

Dark Side of Wine returns this August

Various venues
Friday 8 August - Sunday 17 August 

The Winemakers of Rutherglen invite you to step into the shadows and uncover the mystery, magic and mastery behind one of Australia’s most storied wine regions as Dark Side of Wine returns from 8 to 17 August 2025. 

Over ten immersive days and nights, Rutherglen’s vignerons and winemakers will open their cellars, stories, and secrets for an unforgettable celebration of wine, history, and sensory exploration. Beneath starlit skies and beside glowing fires, discover a new generation of winemakers breathing fresh life into 160 years of fortified and full-bodied tradition.

Rutherglen Farmers Market

Lions Park
Douglas Street, Rutherglen
Sunday 13 July
9:00am - 12:30pm 

Rug up and head to the Rutherglen Farmers Market this Sunday. Chat with the local stall holders about their goods and purchase an egg and bacon roll from the Rutherglen Lions Club. 

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable bag, basket or esky.

Sunday Series at The Victoria Hotel

The Victoria Hotel
90 Main Street, Rutherglen
Sunday 13 July
2:00pm - 5:00pm 

The Sunday Series at The Victoria Hotel brings live tunes to the Garden on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Local vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Paul Gibbs, will be performing live and free this Sunday 13 July.

Bookings recommended, walk-ins welcome.

Pizza Palooza with Grace at James & Co. Wines 

James & Co. Wines
136 Main Street, Rutherglen
Sunday 13 July
4:00pm - 7:00pm 

All your favourite pizzas, some extra snacks, and good vibes only — the perfect way to unwind through the middle of the Victorian school holidays. There'll be wine by the glass, pizza straight from the oven, and a hawt playlist for palooza-ing!

No bookings, no stress, just wine, pizza, and a whole lot of fun. 

Pinot & Picasso for Kids at Rutherglen Golf Club

Rutherglen Golf Club
190 Murray Street, Rutherglen
Monday 14 July
11:00am - 12:30pm 

The Hootiful School Holiday Workshop is landing at Rutherglen Golf Club — hosted by the incredible team at Pinot & Picasso Albury! Recommended for kids aged 5-years and above. Tickets include all materials, an artist to guide the way, and a hot lunch with juice box.

Paint will fly. Creativity will explode. Spots are tight. Don’t snooze, book now!

Cofield Wines and Corowa Distilling Co. present: Barrel & Vine Dinner 

Corowa Distilling Co.
20-24 Steel Street, Corowa
Saturday 2 August
6:00pm - 11:00pm 

Enjoy a journey through wine and whisky featuring a collaboration between Cofield Wines & Corowa Whisky. Indulge in a delicious five-course menu designed to complement both seriously good wine and finely crafted single malt whiskies.

Rutherglen Redgum Medical Centre relocation

Redgum Medical Centre
33-45 Main Street, Rutherglen

Redgum Medical Group Rutherglen has relocated their services to the new Glenview Health building at 33-45 Main Street, Rutherglen. Temporary parking is available via Hunter Street whilst site works continue. 

Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Update

Hello everyone,

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Chiltern Jam Session Weekend, kicking off on Friday 18 July and rocking through to Sunday 20 July. It's set to be a fantastic celebration of music, community, good food and great company that you won't want to miss! Join in or kick back and listen at the Telegraph Hotel, Lulu and Didge, Posh Plonk on Main, or the Senior Citizens Hall.

The same weekend also features The Massive Record Sale at the Senior Citizens Hall. Discover some musical treasures while enjoying the live performances around town. 

We're calling on community-minded volunteers to help make our annual Antiques Fair a success! We need helping hands for hall set-up between 12-4pm on Thursday 21 August and friendly faces on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August for two-hour shifts on the entrance desk or serving in the kitchen. Be part of this major community event! If you're interested in volunteering or would like more information, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Your support helps make these community celebrations possible! 

Don’t forget, the information centre team is here to assist you to create or renew your Explore Chiltern business listing. Your listing on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (‘ATDW’) appears on our own Explore Chiltern website, as well as the official tourism pages for Victoria’s High Country and Visit Victoria – just one listing on ATDW can help you reach an audience of millions. Please join us to enrich Chiltern's online presence and help make our town a must-visit destination!

Listing on ATDW is completely free, as Council is subsidising the cost of renewal (normally $295). To receive your promo code, or if you need any help, please contact the Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre on 02 6033 6306.

Have a fantastic fortnight.

Chiltern Visitor Information Centre Team

Chiltern Jam Session Weekend

Various venues across Chiltern 
Friday 18 - Sunday 20 July 

Chiltern comes alive with this weekend of jam sessions, open mic, pub choir and poetry readings.

Welcoming musicians of all persuasions to come and jam at the drop-in sessions or to perform at the open mic. Participants are free to move between the venues of the Telegraph Hotel, Posh Plonk, Lulu and Didge and the Senior Citizens Hall.

The Chiltern Jam Session Weekend provides a great opportunity to meet and jam with other musicians, play your favourite tunes, present some original material, read a poem, or just kick back and listen. The venues will be warm and cosy, offering great food, drinks and good company.

The Massive Record Sale will also be returning to the Chiltern Senior Citizens Hall for the weekend.

Friday nights at Posh Plonk on Main 

Posh Plonk on Main
62 Main Street, Chiltern
Fridays throughout July and August
5:00pm - 7:30pm 

The team at Posh Plonk on Main are offering up a little winter treat… Friday night dinners throughout July and August!

Spots are limited, so be sure to book ahead. Seating from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. 

Beginner Spoon Carving Workshop 

Nat Ord Studio
53 Conness Street, Chiltern
Saturday 9 August
10:00am - 4:00pm 

Join Nat Ord for a full-day spoon carving workshop! Learn to carve a cooking spoon from a greenwood blank by the open fire. Nat will teach you safe hand-carving techniques to create your own spoon to take home and use, as well as wood selection, tool selection and maintenance, and how to oil and finish your spoon.

All carving tools, materials and morning tea are provided. BYO lunch. Participants must be 14 years or older to take part. Places are limited with only eight spots available - don't miss out!

The Chiltern Antiques Fair returns 

Chiltern Memorial Hall 
86 Conness Street, Chiltern
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August
10:00am - 4:00pm 

The annual Chiltern Antiques Fair is one of the best shows of its type attracting dealers and enthusiasts from around the country.

The event showcases the full range of antiques from fine china and porcelain to furnishings, jewellery, artworks and a range of everyday older items and collectables certain to catch the eye of the discerning enthusiast.

Currently calling on community-minded volunteers to help make this year's event a success!

Industry News and Support