Rutherglen 

With fertile land and a mild climate, enterprising winemakers have been taking advantage of the conditions in and around Rutherglen since the early 1800s, making this one of the oldest wine-growing areas in Australia.

Once a major mining town, its history is reflected in the main street, which is lined with lovely old veranda-fronted establishments and other historic buildings now operating as antique and bric-a-brac shops, tearooms and restaurants.

Gold fever may long have gone by the wayside, but the practice of great winemaking continues on in the tradition of the region's first viticulturists, with some of the wineries still owned by the original winegrowing families. Rutherglen is renowned for producing robust red wines that cellar well for many years as well as crisp, modern-style whites. But the region is best known for its fortified wines, especially muscat.

• An easy cycle along the Muscat Trail will take you along quiet back roads and country tracks as you visit 10 of the local wineries. It is also a great way to see this section of the Murray River as it meanders past stands of aged river red gums and secluded billabongs providing many places for shady picnics and rest stops along the way. The trail starts at the Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre where there are bikes available for hire.