The Victoria Rutherglen responds to changing travel habits

The way travellers choose to experience regional Victoria is changing. Guests are looking beyond the traditional weekend getaway, with growing demand for midweek escapes, small-group travel, flexible work, active experiences, dog-friendly stays and easy-to-book itineraries that bring food, wine, fresh air and time together.

In Rutherglen, The Victoria Hotel is responding to that shift by turning a food-led regional pub into a more complete country escape; one where guests can arrive, park the car, forget the keys and experience the region from one base.

The hotel has officially joined Ride High Country Preferred, a network of businesses across Victoria’s High Country committed to delivering exceptional experiences for cycling visitors and making it easier to travel with a bike.

The accreditation comes with new cyclist-friendly facilities at The Victoria, including secure, weatherproof bike storage, e-bike charging, a bike wash station, floor pump and basic tools. The new offering makes The Victoria a practical base for exploring the region on two wheels, with Rutherglen’s cycling loops and the nearby Rutherglen-to-Wahgunyah section of theMurray to Mountains Rail Trail within easy reach.

Guests without their own bikes can also hire e-bikes from Rutherglen E-Bike Hire, with a 50 per cent discount on the second bike. Cycling is just one part of a broader offering designed to make it easy to experience more of Rutherglen from one base, with boutique accommodation, award-winning dining, wineries, golf, local co-working and dog-friendly stays all in the mix.

Guests can head out for a morning ride, visit a cellar door, play a round of golf, work remotely for a few hours, gather with friends over a long lunch, or simply settle in for as lower stay.

At the heart of the offer is the food. The Victoria’s award-winning restaurant has become a destination in its own right, giving travellers a reason to stay longer rather than simply passthrough Rutherglen. Twice recognised as Victoria’s Best Regional Pub Restaurant, named among Australia’s Top 50 Gastropubs and awarded Victoria’s Best Redeveloped Hotel, The Victoria brings serious regional dining, boutique accommodation and local wine together in one place.

Led by AHA Victoria 2025 Chef of the Year Brendan Anderson, the kitchen is known for fire-led cooking, North East Victorian produce and a drinks list focused on North EastVictorian labels. For owners Kate and Matt Halpin, the evolution is a natural next step for a venue already known as a food-led regional pub.“People want regional getaways that feel easy, but still have depth,” said Ms Halpin

“They want great food, local wine, fresh air, time with friends, somewhere to work if they need to, something active if they want it, and increasingly, they want to bring the dog too.

“You can work for the morning, play a round of golf, head out for a ride or visit a cellar door, then come back for dinner and a beautiful night’s rest in the same historic property.

“We’ve always believed great food is one of the best reasons to visit Rutherglen. Now we’re building more around that:somewhere guests can dine, gather, rest, explore or simply slowdown for a few days.”

The Victoria’s 14 design-led suites complement its award-winning restaurant, local-first drinks list, and signature events calendar, giving guests the rare convenience of boutique accommodation, serious regional dining and Rutherglen wines in one place.

The Victoria’s new midweek packages bring the region together in easy, bookable ways. Play & Stay pairs boutique accommodation with a round of golf and complimentary transfers. Ride & Rest includes accommodation, access to the hotel’s cycling facilities, discounted e-bike hire, a Cofield wine blending experience and grazing platter.

The Easy Midweek includes accommodation, a Scion Wine & Gin tasting and complimentary local wine or beer on arrival. Packages are available midweek, with stays from $210 per night.

Book your next stay at: www.victoriahotelrutherglen.com.au