Great Alpine Road

The Great Alpine Road runs about 304 km from Wangaratta up the Ovens Valley, over the shoulder of Mount Hotham at around 1,840 m, and down through Omeo to Bairnsdale. You pass orchards, autumn colour at Bright, ski villages and cattle country. It suits people who like twisty mountain driving and cool air.

The stops

1. Start

   Wangaratta

2. Town

   Myrtleford

   Good coffee and the start of the Ovens Valley

3. Town · Overnight

   Bright

   Autumn colour, river swimming and bakeries

4. Town

   Harrietville

   Last town before the climb

5. Viewpoint

   Mount Hotham

   Highest point on the road, ski village in winter

6. Town

   Dinner Plain

   Alpine village on the plateau

7. Town · Overnight

   Omeo

   Old gold town with a historic main street

8. Town

   Swifts Creek

   Near The Gap, a lookout over the Tambo valley

9. Town

   Bruthen

   Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes

10. Town

    Bairnsdale

    End of the road on the Princes Highway

11. Finish

    Bairnsdale

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Bright

  Holiday parks along the Ovens River · Pubs and motels in town

• Night 2

  Omeo

  Omeo caravan park · Pub accommodation

When to go

Nov to Apr for clear roads; late Mar to May for autumn colour in Bright; winter needs chains and snow tyres knowledge

On the road

Vehicles between Harrietville and Omeo must carry diamond-pattern snow chains during the declared snow season. Extreme weather can close the Hotham section. Steep, narrow, caravans not recommended over the top.