Fantastic scenic drives can be enjoyed in this area with picturesque villages offering farm gate fresh seasonal produce, countless picnic places, great Pubs & Cafes and simply breathtaking scenery along the way.
Great Alpine Road
Wind your way along Victoria's Great Alpine Road, from Wangaratta in the north-east right across to Bairnsdale and the Gippsland coast. The 339km adventure along Australia's highest year-round accessible sealed road takes you right up close to Victoria's diverse landscapes. Travel through lofty mountain ranges, down plunging valleys, into lush forests, and past rolling vineyards along the way to the sparkling waterways on the coast. Break up your drive by stopping in at Bright, Harrietville, Mount Hotham or Dinner Plain.
Dine on fresh local produce, sample regional wine varietals, or catch your own lunch by throwing a line in in a mountain stream or a trout farm as you go. Guaranteed an amazing journey year-round, with warm weather walking, cycling, camping and high-adrenaline adventure opportunities an alternative to the perennially popular wintertime snow action. Whatever the season you'll be sure of breathtaking views, unforgettable scenery and warm welcomes in the villages along the way. Chains MUST be carried at all times between Harrietville and Omeo during the dedicated snow season, one-way chain hire available.
Bright to Mount Hotham drive
Distance: 56km one-way drive to Mount Hotham (1800m high). A scenic winding road which has a number of lookouts on the Great Alpine Road to Hotham Heights, including Danny’s Lookout, Rene’s Lookout, and at Diamantina Hut (view out across the Razorback). Diamond pattern chains must be carried at all times during the dedicated snow season.
Great Alpine Road to Dinner Plain
The view from Dinner Plain (1500m high) looking out over the Cobungra River is spectacular. Developed in 1986, Dinner Plain is a distinctive village in Australia’s only freehold land above the snowline. There are more than 15 walks around Dinner Plain Village to participate in when you get there.
Alpine Discovery Loop
Start your Alpine discovery loop from Bright, travelling over the Tawonga Gap to the Kiewa Valley Highway and Mount Beauty, then take the Bogong High Plains Road to Falls Creek. Your journey will take you past Bogong Village, located halfway between Mount Beauty and Falls Creek. Fainter Falls, located just past Bogong Village, is definitely worth dropping in to take a short walk and stretch your legs. Continue on and travel through Falls Creek, following the sign to Omeo. Travel 7.7km past Rocky Valley Dam where you may take a short walk to our oldest still standing Cattleman’s Hut – Wallace’s Hut. Just a little further along and also a short walk from the road is Cope Hut. Travel further South to Anglers Rest and then through to Omeo, a town which boasts a fascinating gold mining history.
After leaving Omeo on the Great Alpine Road, look for the turn off on the right to Victoria Falls Oriental claim, a site of original Chinese Diggings. Stop into Dinner Plain, a high-altitude village snuggled between the snow gums, for a coffee, year round activities and a look around the village with its unique housing, cafes and restaurants. Continue on through Mount Hotham, the highest sealed road in Australia that is open year round and back down the mountain to Harrietville. From Harrietville it is a leisurely drive back to Bright. Driving 240km on some of Australia’s highest roads, the loop would take you 5 hours without stopping.
Mount Buffalo Drive - Mount Buffalo National Park
Drive to the top of Mt Buffalo Gorge for fantastic views of the High Country and the Alps. The Horn at 1723m is the highest spot within Mount Buffalo National Park. It overlooks the terraced Wall of China. The Chalet, with its nearby Gorge lookouts, and picnic area, is 1300m high – the same elevation as the nearby Lake Catani.
The monolithic Mount Buffalo escarpment can be seen along much of the Ovens Valley and has become an icon for the region. Try a new adventure activity, rock climbing, underground river caving, abseiling or hang gliding or explore the magnificent mountain by walking, bike or canoe. Chains may be required some days during the winter months.
