The Great Alpine Road & Gippsland Lakes
Recommendation: 5 days
TOTAL KM’s : 600km
Great-Alpine-Road-Map: Melbourne to Wangaratta, Bairnsdale via Lakes Entrance
The Great Alpine Road is a 308 kilometre touring route that extends from Wangaratta in north-east Victoria to Bairnsdale in the heart of Gippsland.
Drive from Melbourne along the Hume Highway (31) to Wangaratta, or the Princes Highway (A1) from Melbourne to Bairnsdale to begin your tour of the Great Alpine Road.
Cycle along the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail – the 94-kilometre trail follows the Ovens Valley from Wangaratta to Bright through pine forests and bushland, past wineries and into welcoming towns. If you are interested in getting into the scenery, climb on a mountain bike and try the downhill trails around Dinner Plain, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek, where chairlifts operate over the summer months to save you the uphill haul.
In summer pull on your walking shoes and explore the stunning national parks in the area. The Alpine National Park is home to 10 of the states 11 highest peaks, seasonal wildflowers, stunning landmarks and abundant wildlife. Pitch a tent beside an alpine lake, see snow gums, rocky outcrops and great views of the valley below at Mt Buffalo National Park.
If you time your tour of the Great Alpine Road for the winter months, make sure you bring your skis or snowboard and experience some of Australia’s most beautiful alpine regions. Try Mt Hotham, known as Australia’s ‘powder capital’, follow the cross-country trails around Dinner Plain, or head to Falls Creek, Victoria’s largest resort.
If the water levels are right, make sure you experience the thrill of white-water rafting down the rapids of an alpine river. Tackle the 18-kilometre journey through grade 3 and 4 rapids and a spectacular granite ravine on the Mitta Mitta River.
The Alpine High Country is a popular destination with rock climbers and abseilers. If you are experienced, explore the many sites in the region including the sheer granite face of The Gorge at Mt Buffalo, or join a tour led by a licensed operator.
Day 1 – Melbourne to Wangaratta
Approximately: 255km (2 hours, 55 mins)
From Melbourne, we travel north along the Hume Highway, we will travel back in time, to visit the towns made famous by Ned Kelly. Our first stop Benalla, about 2 ½ hour’s drive north of Melbourne.
Starting in Benalla, a must see is the plaque on Arundel Street that describes how young Ned Kelly was charged with drunkenness and riding his horse on the footpath. Eventually he surrender to police and was marched across to the Benalla Courthouse, which they still use today.
Visit the Benalla Regional Art Gallery to see Glenrowan, the Sidney Nolan tapestry depicting the Kelly Gang’s capture, and Albert Tucker’s painting depicting Joe Byrne’s body which was tied up for the press to photograph after his death.
Take a walk across the Broken River Bridge to the Costume and Pioneer Museum, where you can stand in the portable sell that once held Ned Kelly.
After spending time exploring Benalla, now time to jump back in the car and travel about 30 mins north to Glenrowan, the infamous town where Ned Kelly was captured. Glenrowan is the focal point for anyone interested in the Bushrangers and the Kelly legend. In 1880, Ned Kelly was captured at the Glenrowan Inn after a bloody battle, which brought his bushranger days to an end. If you have time, visit Kate’s Cottage museum and the multi-media display Kellyland which tells the story of Ned’s life and battles.
Day 2- Wangaratta to Bright
Approximately: 77km (1 hours, 10 mins)
Begin your journey in Wangaratta, home of jazz, and make your way to Bright via the the Milawa Gourmet Region or the historic town of Beechworth. Along the way, Mount Buffalo will provide a magnificent backdrop to your journey.
| Take the direct route from Sydney or Melbourne along the Hume Highway (31) to begin your tour of the Great Alpine Road. The Great Alpine Road starts (or ends) at Wangaratta, a town known for its warm country hospitality and popular jazz festival held annually in November.At Milawa call in at the internationally renowned Brown Brothers Epicurean Centre and cellar door and sample gourmet produce at Milawa Mustards and the Cheese Factory. Break your trip with a stay at the five-star Lindenwarrah Country House Hotel. The Milawa Gourmet Region offers a myriad of farmgate experiences as a delicious reminder of your journey. If you’ve a few hours to spare, make sure you head to the King Valley where you can taste a variety of Mediterranean wine styles or indulge in some regional Italian style cuisine.Discover fine wine at one of the many wineries dotted along the Great Alpine Road, including Gapsted, Michelini and Boyntons, and local produce in the Ovens Valley enroute to Bright.Take a detour to Beechworth, a village built on the wealth of the gold rush of the 1800s. Explore the historic honey granite buildings, including the courthouse where bushranger Ned Kelly’s final trial commenced. It is also home to the famed Beechworth Bakery and highly regarded restaurants, including The Bank.Mt Buffalo National Park is a great place for a gentle walk to see waterfalls, granite formations and lookouts with great views of the Alps. Or try something more vigorous such as abseiling, bike riding, or rock climbing.
This leg ends at Bright, a beautiful town on the Ovens River, filled with grand deciduous trees that are breathtaking in autumn. Bright is also home to Simone’s, one of the best restaurants in the state, and magnificent Italian villa-style accommodation at Villa Gusto. |
Day 3- Bright to Omeo
Approximately: 106km (2 hours, 30 mins)
From the great food and leafy avenues of Bright, climb into alpine country, past tall peaks, ski resorts and villages and continue on to the historic town of Omeo.
| Bright’s magnificent sub-alpine setting and a combination of deciduous trees, good shopping, café life, dining and four very distinct seasons has made it one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations since the 1870s. Its famous avenues of trees were planted in the 1930s and are at their best in spring and autumn. It is home to a host of adventure activities across all seasons.From Bright the Great Alpine Road ascends to the alpine resort of Mt Hotham. Just out of Bright, the road passes through Freeburgh and Smoko. Once gold townships in their own right, today the valley floor provides some excellent farming land.Harrietville is the last town before you leave the Ovens Valley to start the climb up the mountain. Stop at the riverside park where homage is paid to the pioneers of the district and the history of the town recounted, from the discovery of gold in 1852.The landscape changes from alpine ash to snow gum forest and heathland as you climb. Take in the spectacular views from Danny’s Lookout to the summit of Mt Feathertop, the second-highest mountain in the state, over the Alpine National Park and as far as Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo on a clear day.Mt Hotham is Victoria’s highest Alpine village and a mecca for skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities in winter. In summer visitors walk through wildflowers, mountain bike and take in the uninterrupted views of the Victorian Alps. Choose from the range of accommodation available on the mountain.
Just south of Mt Hotham is Dinner Plain, a small alpine village that offers accommodation in comfortable chalets designed to blend in with the surrounding snow gums. Featuring an architectural style that reflects the stone, timber and iron of early cattlemen huts; it is Australia’s most stylish alpine destination. Dinner Plain offers restaurants, horse riding, skiing and bushwalking. The Onsen Retreat and Spa is a relaxing detour on your travels. Continue past Dinner Plain to the Mt Hotham airport, connecting passengers with Melbourne and Sydney, and on to the historic town of Omeo. |
Day 4- Omeo – Bairnsdale
Approximately: 121km (1 hours, 40 mins)
Leave the grazing country and gold history of the Omeo district and head to Bairnsdale, the gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and the coast.
| From Omeo, the service centre for the local cattle, sheep and timber industries, the Great Alpine Road continues south towards Bairnsdale – East Gippsland’s only city.Gold was discovered around Omeo in the mid-1800s, attracting European and Chinese gold seekers and the area became known as Australia’s most lawless goldfield. Since then mountain cattlemen and farming families have made it their home. The main street is lined by many heritage buildings, which are interpreted for visitors by street plaques. The Oriental Claims Cassilis and Victoria Falls Historic areas are well worth a visit.Anglers Rest is home to the famous Blue Duck Inn hotel on the banks of the Cobungra, Bundara and Mitta Mitta rivers. Saddle up and ride a horse in true high country style with “Packers High Country Horse Rides”.Visit Swift’s Creek, a small town with a history of grazing and timber milling, for the freshly baked bread, pastries and cakes that come out of the 19th-century wood-fired oven at Swifts Creek Bakery every day. Stop at farm gates and local wineries including Mount Markey Winery to sample berry wines, fruit and honey mead.Bruthen is a rustic town overlooking the Tambo River. The Fairy Dell Scenic Reserve – a natural rainforest, can be found on the outskirts of town and several heritage buildings including the Old Post Office and St Matthews Church are located in the township.
Bairnsdale, originally settled as an inland port, sits on the banks of the Mitchell River and leads into the Gippsland Lakes. Visit St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, the interior of which was painted in the 1930s by Francesco Floreani, attend an annual musical and sporting event, or explore the Mitchell River silt jetties that extend 8 kilometres into nearby Lake King. At Bairnsdale the Great Alpine Road touring route ends, and your exploration of Gippsland and its spectacular lakes begins. |
Day 5- Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance
Approximately: 35km (40 mins)
The tranquil Gippsland Lakes is the ultimate playground for all. Stretching out over 400 sq km, the lakes are a network of inland waterways. Feeding the ‘Lakes’ are three of East Gippsland’s famous rivers – the Mitchell, Nicholson and Tambo. Boat, sail, swim, canoe, kayak, fish; in fact you can experience just about any water activity, so make a splash.
Set on the banks of the Mitchell River, Bairnsdale is a thriving Provincial town, once home to steam boats & traders. Today, you can experience history, art, culture and retail therapy all combined in this busy commercial hub. In Bairnsdale, glimpses of the past can be spotted all about. Stroll along the Heritage Walk and view historic highlights like the Rotunda, St. Mary’s Church and the Courthouse, noted for its 19th century architecture. Start a bike ride from Bairnsdale on the popular East Gippsland Rail Trail.
Our lakeside villages of Lakes Entrance, Metung, Raymond Island and Paynesville surround the water’s edge of the three major lakes, Lake King, Lake Victoria & Lake Wellington. Bairnsdale is known as the ‘gateway to the lakes’. It is the region’s commercial centre set on the Mitchell River. In the hinterland lies the ‘Twin Rivers’ area comprising the towns of Nicholson, Johnsonville and Swan Reach. Other delightful villages are Lindenow in the west and Nowa Nowa in the east. Refresh and unwind in Lake Tyers renowned for its fishing and forest-clad shores. Delight in the ocean-lake experience, serviced by the holiday village of Lake Tyers Beach.
But it is the boating and fishing that most come for. Hire a boat here, or bring your own, these incredible waterways offer so much, with 40 casual jetties and top amenities on offer. Three coastal parks stand between the lakes and the ocean. This magnificent arm of coastline is just 10 minutes by fast boat from any lakeside village. Fish, golf, tour or simply slow down – the Gippsland Lakes will engage you. Stay in any town or village and explore the shores or waterways.
Let the coastal beauty engage you from Kalimna Lookout. Spectacular views of the Gippsland Lakes, the town and Bass Strait are mesmerising and will keep your camera busy! Lakes Entrance is a premier holiday spot. Safe lake beaches are dotted with waterfront cafes and fishing boats selling their catch from the jetties. A short walk over the footbridge presents the 90 mile beach. Swim here safely as it is patrolled most of the year.
Stroll the vast expanse of beach, or promenade the lakefront. Buy freshly caught seafood from a trawler or local fish shop. You are spoilt for choice here. Or if you like, hire a boat and fish for your own catch. Grab a guided boat tour of the lake, many providing food and wine options. Unwind in your choice of a huge array of accommodation. Waterfront, lake or country style, the options are varied.