A large circular sign has been installed in the centre of the Oxley roundabout indicating visitors have arrived in the King Valley wine region.
The installation of the sign was managed by Tourism North East and is part of the Activating King Valley Prosecco Road project - a partnership with the Rural City of Wangaratta - being delivered with $4.3 million in funding from the Victorian government.
The broader project included township enhancements in Whitfield and Cheshunt, an adventure playspace and visitor hub in Whitfield, a walking and cycling trail in Whitfield, and Bubbles on the landscape; a large-scale sculpture commissioned by artist Alexander Knox and placed adjacent to the roundabout in Oxley, which are now complete.
Footings for the King Valley sign were laid two weeks ago and the sign itself - black steel with white lettering on three sides - was installed by contractors on the roundabout on Wednesday.
The King Valley Tourism Association (KVTA) has welcomed the new addition, praising the sign's contemporary design and the way it complemented the adjacent sculpture.
Latest Stories
KVTA president Karen Barber said positive feedback had already been received from members who say it addresses the need and was also aesthetically pleasing.
"We're really happy with it," she said.
"It's a clear marker - especially for first time visitors driving down the Snow Road or Wangaratta-Whitfield Road - that they have arrived in the King Valley, and it gives them a sense of the region."
Ms Barber said while the tourism association continued to lobby to have local roads fixed - which she said was a primary concern for everyone in the region - it also wanted to see more wayfinding signs.
She said signage was still needed on the approach to the roundabout to indicate which direction to turn to access the long list of attractions, including those found in the upper King Valley.
"While there is signage to say it is the King Valley wine region, there is nothing to direct you to Whitfield or Cheshunt, and that is our next priority," she said.
"We would ideally like to see something which lists the businesses and the natural attractions, but we think this is the start of something which is going to make a huge impact."
Ms Barber said the KVTA was hopeful of getting support from both council and Tourism North East as it approached Vic Roads and other authorities to have suitable wayfinding signage installed.
Tourism North East said the sign was part of the Activating King Valley Prosecco Road project, but did not respond to questions regarding its design, cost or manufacture by deadline.
