Discover a town where art, history and community come together along the banks of the Campaspe. From towering silo murals and sporting legends to shady river walks and country hospitality, Rochester offers the perfect mix of creativity and calm, all just a short stroll apart.
Download your itinerary and start exploring
Morning
Start your day with a freshly brewed coffee from 7 Beans as you make your way into town.
First stop, the Rochester Silo Art, a breathtaking tribute to three local endangered species: the Azure Kingfisher, Squirrel Glider and Growling Grass Frog. Standing beneath these towering artworks, you’ll feel the town’s pride painted into every brushstroke.
From here, head to the Rochester Sports Museum, located in the old railway station. This one-of-a-kind collection was created by local Mitiamo legend John Forbes, whose love of sport and storytelling shines through more than 4,000 pieces of memorabilia. You’ll find everything from Adam Gilchrist’s wicket-keeping gloves to Martina Navratilova’s tennis dress, each item with its own story to tell.
Before you leave, grab a Mural Map to guide your afternoon adventure through town.
Visiting Wednesday or Friday? Discover the stories that shaped Rochester at the Historical & Pioneer Society Museum.
Afternoon
When it’s time for lunch, settle in at Hotel Rochester for a hearty pub meal, or grab a pizza from Rochy Pizza and enjoy a relaxed picnic by the Campaspe River. The shady gums and gentle ripple of the water make the perfect backdrop for a slow-paced afternoon.
With your Mural Map in hand, take a wander through town to discover more than 50 murals, sculptures and wood carvings scattered through the streets. Don’t miss Mural Park, home to the annual Rochester Mural Festival, where new artworks bring the town to life each autumn.
Stay a little longer
As the sun dips behind the gums, enjoy dinner at the Shamrock Hotel, a friendly local favourite filled with history and character.
If you’re staying the night, settle in at one of these welcoming spots:
-
Rochester Motel
-
Rochester Riverside Holiday Park
-
Rochester Caravan Park
The next day
Grab a takeaway breakfast from Willow’s Café at BP, then hit the road to Colbinabbin, where six painted silos tell the story of community and connection.
Next, make your way to Rushworth, a historic gold rush town lined with charming heritage buildings and a welcoming country vibe. Take a stroll down the main street, explore local shops, and feel the echoes of the past in every weathered brick and timber beam.
Continue to Girgarre, home to the Gargarro Botanic Garden, a stunning new space blending art, nature, and community spirit. The cafe here is the perfect spot to stop for lunch, think fresh local produce and views that invite you to linger a little longer.
Afterwards, head to Kyabram, where the Water Tower Art and Town Hall Gallery showcase local talent and regional pride. From towering murals to intimate exhibitions, you’ll find creativity in every corner.
Round out the day in Tongala, a town that wears its art on its sleeve, literally. More than 30 murals splash colour across fences, shopfronts, and laneways, each one telling a story of country life, history, and humour.
Then, as the sun begins to dip, make your way back to Rochester. By now, you’ll have seen the region’s creativity unfold one wall at a time, each stop adding another brushstroke to a bigger picture of country character, community and heart.
