The wild heart of Victoria’s highlands is just waiting to be discovered. Sample distinctive shiraz, meet pioneering winemakers, explore spectacular national parks and say hello to native wildlife.

The naturally rugged and diverse Shiraz Central wine region stretches north-west of Melbourne and is home to a distinctive cool-spiced Australian shiraz. Just a short drive from the city lie the rolling hills of the Macedon Ranges and the wine region surrounding the town of Heathcote. From there, explore onwards to the Grampians and Pyrenees wine regions, and uncover wine-growing areas around the gold-rush cities of Bendigo and Ballarat. Here in Shiraz Central, visitors discover surprising cellar doors, experience classic Australian bush landscapes, witness kangaroos in their natural surrounds and can share a yarn with pioneering winemakers who aren’t afraid to do it their own way.

• 120 cellar doors
• Outstanding national parks and wildlife experiences
• Intersects parts of two touring routes: the Great Southern and the Sydney–Melbourne Heritage Drive.