Great Alpine Road

Wangaratta

Best known as the gateway to the Great Alpine Road route, this large regional Victorian town is known for mouth-watering local produce, fine wine and renowned jazz festival.

Beechworth

Shortly after commencing your trek, you may wish to detour to Beechworth and sample the history of the 1800s gold rush that marked the area. Take in the sights of the courthouse where the final trial of infamous Bush Ranger Ned Kelly was held, and treat the tastebuds to some delights from the famous Beechworth Bakery.

The detour via Beechworth will add around 20 kilometres to your journey.

Myrtleford

The delightful town of Myrtleford is surrounded by forests, wineries, fruit and nut farms. A short drive south of Myrtleford is picturesque Lake Buffalo.

Porepunkah

This tiny town sits on the Ovens River and is at the gateway to Mount Buffalo - best known for its unique granite rock formations, waterfalls and picturesque lookouts. You can try your hand on a horseback ride or cycle your way around the sights. Some choose to try downhill or cross-country skiing also, depending on the season.

Bright

Finding yourself in Bright, you will be welcomed by the flowing Ovens River that fits snugly around the town. Bright is a breathtaking sight, particularly in the autumn months when the leaves change colour. Spend some time in Bright discovering walking trails, lookouts, scenic picnic spots and great food.

Harrietville

A small community surrounded by mountains, forests and offering great scenery, located at the base of Mount Feathertop.

Once past Harrietville, the Great Alpine Road becomes quite windy as it ascends towards Mount Hotham.

Mount Hotham

The snow resort of Mount Hotham is a ski-enthusiasts delight. With over 245 hectares of skiing area available, Mount Hotham is the main drawcard to the Great Alpine Road driving route for many.

Known as the "high country", this area is great for those who like hiking and horse riding - as well as skiing in the winter months of course. In summer the well-known Razorback mountain hike is aglow with wildflowers, and you may wish to choose the Alpine Wild Walk across the Bogong High Plains with plenty of sights to see along the way. Or simply spend some time mulling over life at Hotham's famous Danny's Lookout which provides views out to nearby Mount Feathertop.

Dinner Plain

Just 10 kilometres past Mount Hotham you can visit the oddly named Dinner Plain - a horseback rider's heaven with several local tour operators who operate all year round.

Dinner Plain is the largest recreational horse riding area in Australia. Some enthusiasts even choose to drive the Great Alpine Road route with horse trailer in tow just to visit the area and take in a few rides.

Those who have a 4WD might like to trek these areas by 4 wheels too, rather than 4 hoofs!

Omeo

Omeo is a well-known service centre for cattle and sheep farmers in the region and is a nice place to relax after some possibly energetic times in the High Country on horseback or hiking boot.

Stay in a romantic hilltop villa and delve into the area's gold mining history while you enjoy acres of cattle grazing land to take in. For scenic countryside you could never imagine in your wildest dreams, visit the Kosciusko Lookout - just off the Great Alpine Road itself. There's lots of great 4WD tracks in the district for the willing and able.

Swifts Creek

Just over 25 kilometres from Omeo is the small community of Swifts Creek, located at the junction of the Tambo River and Swifts Creek. Stop at the friendly Albion Hotel for refreshments or a meal, visit the Great Alpine Gallery, or take a drive along some of the scenic back roads in the district.

An alternative way to get from Omeo to Swifts Creek is to take Cassilis Road (known as the "Wine & Gold Drive") which passes through the former gold mining shanty town of Cassilis. While nothing remains of the actual township, the surrounding Cassilis Historic Area preserves some relics from the town's gold mining days.

Bruthen

Heading further southwards, the Great Alpine Road descends through the mountains, hugging the Tambo River for part of its scenic journey. It then reaches the small town of Bruthen, located within gently rolling hills, marking the final stretch of the Great Alpine Road driving route.

Take a stroll along Bruthen's attractive main street with its shady gardens, or if you're visiting in February, check out the Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival.

Bairnsdale

The end of your Great Alpine Road tour, or the beginning if you choose to take the route in reverse, Bairnsdale is an inland port that borders on the pleasant backdrop of the Gippsland Lakes.

You will find paintings by Francesco Floreani from the 1930s in St Mary's Catholic Church or it may appeal to just sit quietly along Lake King at nearby Paynesville and sample the serenity.

Bairnsdale is a great place to start your exploration of the Gippsland Lakes or take in an outdoor adventure along them such as kayaking or camping. Discover enough wineries to stock up the car along the local wine trails and don't forget to drop into the local museums and antique shops for a taste of Bairnsdale history.

Hoy's Skis

Hoy's have outlets at Harrietville, Mount Hotham, Dinner Plain and Omeo where they hire and sell snow chains. Drivers doing a one-way trip along the Great Alpine Road and wishing to hire chains can pick up and drop off chains from Hoy's in Harrietville and Omeo. Hoy's also offer a handy mobile chain fitting service whereby if you hire your chains from their Harrietville branch, they will be fitted to your vehicle at chain fitting bays on your journey towards Mount Hotham by their staff.

Porepunkah Ski Shop

Located just off the Great Alpine Road in Porepunkah, which is the gateway to Mount Buffalo, Porepunkah Ski Shop provides snow chain hire and sales.

Rays Ski Shop

Rays are located on the Great Alpine Road at Myrtleford and offer a range of snow chains for hire or purchase.