The landmark hotel at Ovens was built in 1854 and has been a popular stopping point for travellers for almost 150 years. The surrounding area has a lavender farm, olive grove and wineries open to the public. Just up the road from Ovens in Happy Valley, you’ll find a selection of the region’s great bed and breakfasts, a lavender farm, an olive grove, wineries, orchards and the excitement of a breathtaking scenic flight over the magnificent Great Alpine Valleys.

A spot of fishing? 

Try your hand at fishing in great rivers, mountain streams and alpine lakes and try to nab some of mainland Australia's largest river-dwelling trout. Fly fishing Practice the art of fly-casting between Myrtleford and Harrietville on the Ovens River tributaries, including the Buffalo River, Buckland River, German Creek, and Morse's Creek (or the Bright Pool).

Head east to the Kiewa River in summer for more superb fly fishing. Expect to bag a few between Mount Beauty and Mongan's Bridge. Alpine angling Make the most of summer's almost-perfect conditions for excellent bait and lure fishing in the high altitude lakes at Rocky Valley Reservoir and Pretty Valley Reservoir, near Falls Creek.

Casting for trout Cast a line and catch trout in the lower Mitta Mitta River, Lake Dartmouth and Snowy Creek and Little Snowy Creek in summer. Stay closer to Melbourne and snare brown and rainbow trout in Lake Eildon and the Eildon Pondage. Try fishing various types of river – like the Rubicon, Jamieson, Howqua and Delatite mountain freestone rivers to the Acheron and Taggerty meadow stream rivers, and the mighty Goulburn tailrace river.  

For more information on Ovens, visit www.greatalpinevalleys.com.au