Myrtleford

Myrtleford is a country town in the Ovens Valley within Alpine Shire, Victoria, about 280 km northeast of Melbourne. Set between the Ovens and Buffalo Rivers at the foothills of Mount Buffalo, it developed during the 1850s gold rush and later became Australia's tobacco capital through post-war Italian migration. Today it is known for vineyards, chestnut and hop production, alpine scenery and as a gateway to Mount Buffalo National Park and the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.

Visitors can expect a flat, compact town centre along the Ovens River surrounded by tobacco and hop fields, vineyards and views to Mount Buffalo. The town offers cafes, bakeries, wineries and shops reflecting strong Italian heritage, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail passing through town, riverside parks and picnic areas, and easy access to bushwalking, cycling and fishing. The Myrtleford Visitor Information Centre, historic tobacco kilns and nearby wineries provide cultural context.

Originally inhabited by the Dhudhuroa and Waywurru peoples, the area was settled by Europeans in the 1840s and grew during the 1850s Ovens gold rush. Named after Myrtle Creek, it became a centre for tobacco growing from the late 19th century, expanding significantly after World War II with Italian migrant settlement, making Myrtleford Australia's leading tobacco producing district until industry deregulation.

Myrtleford has strong Italian-Australian cultural heritage reflected in its food, wine, annual La Fiera Italian Festival, and historic tobacco kilns. It is part of Victoria's High Country gourmet and wine region, known for vineyards, chestnuts, hops and alpine produce, and serves as a cultural gateway to the Victorian Alps.