Nagambie is a lake town with two of Victoria's best-known wineries on its doorstep, about an hour and a half up the Hume from Melbourne (see getting to Nagambie). Everything worth doing sits within ten minutes of one short main street: the lake and foreshore, Tahbilk and Mitchelton, the Goulburn, the markets and the regattas. This page sorts the options by who you are with, and every one links to a fuller guide.
01The short list
If you only have a day, these are the five that make Nagambie:
- Walk the foreshore. The 1.6 kilometre Nagambie Foreshore Walk runs along the southern edge of the lake between town and the Regatta Centre, on an accessible path.
- Taste at Tahbilk. Family-run on the Goulburn since 1860 and once known as Chateau Tahbilk, with a cellar door among the original buildings. See our Tahbilk guide.
- Climb the Mitchelton tower. The observation tower looks over the vines and the river; the estate adds a restaurant, gallery and day spa. See visiting Mitchelton.
- Get on the water. Hire a kayak, paddleboard or tinny from the Regatta Centre, or take the river cruise. See On the water below.
- Lunch on High Street. From the brewery to the town's two standout restaurants, the eat and drink guide sorts it by occasion.
02On the water
The lake is the reason most people come. Go Adventure Nagambie lists tinnies, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pedal boats and pontoon boats for hire from the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre, so you don't need your own boat. Skiers and boaters should read boating and water skiing first: the lake has a 20 knot limit and anti-clockwise travel for powered boats, and the rowing course is for non-powered craft only.
The Goulburn Explorer river cruise is the gentle option for anyone who wants the river without a paddle, booked through Discovery Parks; sailing days vary, so check before you plan around it. Anglers start with the fishing guide, and everyone should check what's on the lake this weekend, because regattas close the whole lake on some Saturdays.
03Wineries and food
The two estates are ten minutes apart and suit different moods. Tahbilk is history, Marsanne and a wetlands walk next door; Mitchelton is the resort day, with Muse restaurant, a provedore cafe, an art gallery, a day spa and a hotel. The wineries guide adds the smaller cellar doors and Fowles Wine on the Avenel side.
In town, the Nagambie Brewery and Distillery in the heritage building on High Street covers tastings, pizza and a family dinner. For the full list by occasion, see bakery and breakfast and pubs and dinner.
04With kids
Start at the foreshore. Buckley Park has a playground, toilets, barbecues and a viewing platform (Strathbogie Shire), and its free, unsupervised splash park is the summer favourite. Jacobsons Outlook, by the Black Caviar statue, has a lakeside lawn and a fenced play area. Add the Tahbilk wetlands boardwalk and bird hides for a wilder walk, and a short session at one of the kids' fishing spots: under 18s fish without a licence (licence and rules). The full plan is in Nagambie with kids.
05Free things to do
- The foreshore walk and the lakeside parks.
- The Black Caviar statue at Jacobsons Outlook: the champion mare was foaled at Gilgai Farm in Nagambie in 2006 and retired unbeaten after 25 races.
- Nagambie Lake parkrun, a free, timed 5 kilometre run or walk every Saturday at 8am from the foreshore at Blayney Lane. Register first and bring your barcode.
- Watching a rowing regatta from the bank, which is better theatre than most people expect.
- The picnic area and playground at the Goulburn Weir recreation reserve, just north of town.
06Markets
Two markets fix the calendar. The Go Nagambie Lakeside Market runs on the first Saturday of the month, 9am to 1pm, at Jacobson's Outlook. The Nagambie Farmers Market is on the fourth Sunday, 10am to 2pm, at Tahbilk, with local produce, bakers and makers, live music and wine by the glass. Coming up: the Lakeside Market on Saturday 7 November and Saturday 5 December, and the Farmers Market on Sunday 22 November. See the farmers market guide and what's on in Nagambie.
07Summer in Nagambie
Summer is peak season. The Victorian school holidays run from Saturday 19 December to Tuesday 26 January (vic.gov.au), the splash park and the lake carry the hot days, and Murray cod season reopens on 1 December. The Shire's closures list has the New Year's Eve fireworks closing the water beside the Regatta Centre from 4pm to 11pm on 31 December (Strathbogie Shire). If you are coming for any of it, book a bed early.
08Rainy day
Cellar doors carry a wet day, and the Mitchelton gallery adds a real indoor hour. Add a long lunch on High Street, or the Army Tank Museum at Puckapunyal on its public days. The rainy day guide has the plan.
09Further afield
Within an hour: the Strathbogie Ranges and Mt Wombat lookout, Murchison, Avenel and Euroa, and the big water at Waranga Basin. The day trips guide links them into loops, and Nagambie Golf Club welcomes visitors for 18 holes.
10Common questions
What is Nagambie known for? The lake, the rowing, the fishing and two well-known wineries, Tahbilk and Mitchelton, all within ten minutes of one short main street. The town also claims the champion racehorse Black Caviar, foaled at Gilgai Farm in Nagambie.
What is there to do in Nagambie for free? The 1.6 kilometre foreshore walk, the Buckley Park playground and splash park, the Black Caviar statue, the Saturday parkrun, watching a regatta, and the Goulburn Weir picnic area.
Is Nagambie worth visiting without a boat? Yes. You can hire kayaks, paddleboards and boats at the Regatta Centre, and the wineries, the wetlands walk, the markets and High Street carry a weekend on their own.
What is on in Nagambie this weekend? Check what's on in Nagambie for markets and events, and can I fish this weekend? for lake closures, which matter for anyone planning to be on the water.
How many days do you need in Nagambie? A day covers the foreshore, one winery and lunch. A weekend fits the lake, both estates and a proper dinner. The itineraries section has ready-made plans, including a long weekend and a day trip from Melbourne.