Fine food and wine is not hard to come by in this beautiful region on the Border and surrounds.
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And country pubs make for a great way to warm up your winter weekend day trips with menus to tempt the tastebuds and hospitality to warm the soul.
Whether it's south of the Border and into North East Victoria you choose for your weekend lunch out or you're keen to venture north into the sourthern Riverina, the gourmet offerings are hard to resist.
If you are going for lunch it always pay to ring ahead and make a booking - and even if it's not a busy weekend the kitchen will appreciate knowing how many to expect.
If it's a sunny, warm day ask if they have a beer garden and choose to sit outside if it's not too breezy to catch some winter sun.
Country pubs are a great place to sample different beers and many will feature brews from local micro or handcrafted breweries.
They'll also generally showcase local produce in their menus and make a feature of the many paddock to plate experiences available in this gourmet rich region.
Australian Hotels Association Victoria senior manager membership and industry engagement Kimberley Malcolm said a cosy pub with a warm, welcoming vibe was just the place to be on a wintry afternoon.
"Consistently good food, cold beer or a glass of local wine continue to be just some of the necessary staples that see iconic bush pubs thrive during the colder months," Ms Malcolm said.
"The pub is at the heart of the community.
"People flock to the pub to celebrate, commiserate and often to just feel connected to the people around them, making up the local fabric of the community."
Ms Malcolm said the North East was spoilt for choice when it came to pubs serving up "that special kind of country hospitality" and she encouraged residents to make the most of the country pubs that are right on our doorstep.
"Hotels are the centre of our smallest and most remote communities and it's the basics of hospitality that shines through.
"So put on your winter woollies and enjoy the hospitality that is a country pub!"