This itinerary takes your group away from the usual tourist spots and ventures north to the Goulburn Valley, where you’ll find rivers, native River Red Gums, wineries and a warmer climate. Here you’ll connect with the people, places and perspectives at the heart of the Taungurung community.

Day one

8.30am - Head to the countryside and the beautiful Goulburn Valley

Depart Melbourne and journey 90 minutes north to the Goulburn Valley and your accommodation for the night – Trawool Estate - named after the Taungurung word Traawool meaning wild water.

Located on Taungurung Country in a breathtaking valley, Trawool Estate is a haven amongst the River Red Gums. The estate offers expansive green acres close to the Waring (Goulburn) River and is located right on the Art on the Great Victorian Rail Trail, which features works by Taungurung artist Uncle Mick Harding.

Upon arrival to Trawool Estate enjoy a relaxed morning tea.

11.00am - Go on a bike ride along the Great Victorian Rail Trail

Set out on a bike ride along the Great Victorian Rail Trail from Trawool to Tallarook (11 km).

Suitable for beginner cyclists, the trail passes through the Trawool Valley and follows the heritage-classified Goulburn River to Tallarook. Classified by the National Trust for its scenic beauty, the region was once frequented by famous artists including Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin and Arthur Streeton.

In recent times, proud Taungurung Elder and fine artist Uncle Mick Harding took an innovative approach by taking an age-old cultural practice of scarring trees and presenting them as a contemporary art form. Working alongside his sons, they expressed cultural stories within the scarred trees across the entire length of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, passing on cultural knowledge to his sons as part of the process.

12pm - Lunch at Mitchelton Winery and explore their gallery of aboriginal art

From Tallarook you’ll be transferred to Mitchelton Winery on the Goulburn River for a lazy lunch. Inspired by fresh local produce found throughout the Nagambie Lakes district, The Muse restaurant serves modern farmhouse cuisine overlooking the banks of the Goulburn River. Offering a dining experience that is rustic yet refined, the menu has been designed by Executive Chef Nigel Brown with a food philosophy that favours local, sustainable and ethical farming methods. Whether foraging for wild blackberries on the riverside or gathering walnuts from the estate, Nigel is passionate about bringing the true flavour of Mitchelton to every dish.

By partnering with the region’s suppliers, and by offering wines from Mitchelton’s own awarded cellar, The Muse delivers an authentic dining experience with beautiful food and warm, country hospitality.

After lunch take some time to explore the Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art. Works on display here are representative of over 15 different art centres and communities throughout Australia, including the local Taungurung Clan.

2.30pm - Cruise the Goulburn River

Depart the winery and enjoy a cruise up the Goulburn River to Nagambie on the “Goulburn Explorer.”

5pm - Swim, relax and enjoy Trawool Estate

Arrive back at Trawool Estate. Swim in the solar heated outdoor pool, explore the estate’s grounds, or relax with a drink in front of an open fireplace in The Granite Bar.

6.30pm - Delicious dinner with Indigenous tones

Enjoy a gourmet dinner at Trawool Estate’s Wild Water restaurant. Chef Bob Piechniczek and his skilled team serve beautiful food with Indigenous tones, focusing on highlighting the best locally sourced produce.

Day two

9am - wawa biik cultural experience with Taungurung guides

After breakfast, depart for Tahblik Winery where you will begin your four hour wawa biik cultural experience.

Say wawa (hello) to Taungurung biik (Country) as passionate Taungurung guides reveal the rich layers of living culture embodied in the land and waterways of Nagambie in Central Victoria.

For tens of thousands of years pre-colonisation, the waterways of the waring (Goulburn River) and its lush tributaries have sustained seasonal food sources and a nourishing cultural life for the Taungurung people, and in return, the Taungurung people have cared for and sustained this place.

Your guides will take you to a special place that holds deep cultural value. It is here that you can learn about the ingenuity and way of life of their Ancestors who survived by reading and adapting to the changing conditions of these floodplains. Take part in a traditional Welcome Smoking Ceremony, spend time yarning with two Taungurung leaders, connect with their beautiful waterways onboard a cruise through the wetlands of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes), enjoy morning tea using delicious bush foods, a cruise on the Tahbilk wetlands, and a Taungurung-led walk along the Indigenous flora trail.

Accessibility information can be found here.

2pm - Lunch at Tahbilk Winery

Return to Tahbilk Winery for a late lunch. Tahbilk Winery is a five-generation family-owned carbon-neutral winery.

The original 1860 winery and cellar door is like stepping into a hidden oasis, where the natural landscape blends to complement a rich winemaking heritage.

Tahbilk has a rich source of old vineyards and iconic single vineyard wines, including Victoria’s oldest Shiraz planted in 1860 and Australia’s oldest Marsanne planted in 1927.

The Tahbilk Estate Restaurant sits along the backwaters of the Tahbilk billabong, with beautiful views across the water and into the wetlands beyond. Relaxing on the deck, you’ll find yourself immersed in dappled sunlight, listening to the songs of birds and frogs.

The menu is crafted to pair with Tahbilk wines, creating a matched food and wine experience. Tahblik have sourced quality ingredients from the very best farmers and producers so guests can enjoy a seasonal menu that speaks of the region.

4pm

Depart for Melbourne.

6.30pm - Dinner in 100% Aboriginal female-owned and run lux bar and restaurant

Meet in the hotel lobby to head out for dinner on Melbourne’s iconic Chapel Street in a sleek, sensual, high-end cocktail bar and restaurant - Interlude.

This 100 per cent Aboriginal female-owned and operated lux cocktail bar and restaurant has been inspired by Indigenous culture and innovative bars and restaurants around the world. You'll experience a distinct focus on incorporating and platforming First Nations native, local and natural ingredients, such as their signature cocktails like the Davidson Plum Sour, Kakadu Plum & Mango Martini and more.

Engaging with other First Nation-owned businesses and suppliers, this cocktail bar and restaurant is determined to giving back to community while continuing to maintain high standards of service.

Like the idea of this but would like to customise further? Want to know how you could split your larger incentive group into smaller numbers to accommodate this experience in waves? Reach out to the team at MCB who can help you plan a bespoke culturally packed itinerary your delegates won’t forget.

Ask the Melbourne Convention Bureau for advice

Like the idea of this but would like to customise further? Want to know how you could split your larger incentive group into smaller numbers to accommodate this experience in waves? Reach out to the team at MCB who can help you plan a bespoke culturally packed itinerary your delegates won’t forget.

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