Must See & Do
Follow in the footsteps of Australia's mountain cattlemen with a horseback adventure over the high plains
Experience the thrill of paragliding or hang gliding with any one of the experienced guides in the region, or take a scenic microlight or helicopter flight over the mountains.
Ride a bike along Australia's premier rail trail. The Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail is a 94km sealed path between Wangaratta and Bright with a side route to historic Beechworth.
Take a 4WD tour and get off the beaten track. You'll experience some of the most magnificent high country scenery imaginable.
Strap on a backpack or pack a small picnic and choose from any one of hundreds of walking tracks along the Great Alpine Road - from an easy stroll through meadows of alpine flowers to a more challenging mountain adventure, it's all here.
Search for that elusive mountain trout in any of the region's clear streams and rivers or the lakes created by the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. Alternatively at Bairnsdale you're just a stone's throw away from the ocean for a spot of sea fishing.
The Great Alpine Road
Take your time to experience this amazing journey on the highest road in Australia. As you tour the Great Alpine Road, the stunning mountains, valleys, lakes and waterways of Victoria's Alpine High Country are a rich setting for lovers of nature and adventure.
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 Sydney 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.
