Great Alpine Road

25km | 25 minutes

Fall madly in love with the Gippsland Lakes, Australia’s largest inland waterway, boasting innumerable islands and inlets to explore, lusty sunsets and adventure beckoning on the wind.

Some of Australia’s most handsome waterfront villages can be found here, including Metung (route distances and times are calculated from Metung), Lakes Entrance and Paynesville. These towns are flush with accommodation and enthusiastically cater to those wanting to get onto the water. There are plenty of boat ramps, jetties, mooring facilities, bait shops and boat charter.

The gateway to the labyrinth of lakes is Bairnsdale, the epicentre of East Gippsland’s arts and culture scene and opportunities for retail therapy. It’s also an ideal base for exploring dashing Mitchell River National Park.

The fertile farmlands between Metung and Bruthen are known as a “food bowl”, producing a bounty of delectable produce. Keep your eyes peeled for roadside farm gates to sample some of the best produce around.

It’s also wine country. Be sure to swing by some of the locations on the East Gippsland Drink Trail to get the most out of your short trip to Bruthen.

96km | 1.5 hours

The Tambo River ambles slowly through beautiful Bruthen, dotted with historic buildings, rounding out the bucolic landscape. Soak up the country calm on the generous deck of Bruthen Inn Hotel.

Bruthen is also an ideal base to ride a section of the East Gippsland Rail Trail passing lush countryside and whispering forests.

Time to start heading up that great, big hill and Swifts Creek & Ensay make fabulous places to stop. Nestled along the banks of the Tambo River, these towns were once known for timber milling and mining and now offer travellers a delicious array of treats, from local wines, to plump fresh fruit and pastries. Check out the Great Alpine Gallery, loop around the Tambo River on the Poet's Walk, or have a snifter from the rammed earth cellar door of Ensay Winery.

Arrive at the old gold town of Omeo as the landscape morphs into endless rolling green hills dotted with happily grazing cattle.

108km | 2 hours

Omeo is the perfect base for adrenaline-fuelled adventure at the meeting place of the Mitta Mitta River (think white water rafting), and the Alpine National Park. This is high country, and you haven’t truly experienced it until you’ve been in the saddle, taken an epic four wheel driving challenge or camped by an old cattleman’s hut.

After a morning coffee and some cheeky baked goods, bask in the gold rush history of the town wandering the Justice Precinct and enjoying superb architecture like the Golden Age Hotel. Set out on the tranquil Livingstone Creek Walking Track, which stretches all the way from the town to the Oriental Claims. The track is known for its birdlife and flora, including native orchids. Or take the Ah Fongs Loop Walk through eucalypt-scented bush.

Check out the Omeo Pump & Skills Track, a world-class track suitable for all rider abilities with purpose built rock sections, log crossings, jump ups and jump downs.

Prepare to be spellbound by the views from Kosciusko Lookout, between Omeo and Cobungra, showcasing panoramas of alpine life.

The story-book like village of Dinner Plain is next in line. This cosy little hang-out caters to those wanting to rest and relax at the hot pools or for those more actively inclined with a spot of cross-country skiing.

The mountain rush continues with Mt Hotham. It houses Victoria's highest alpine village and is a grand playground for the young and old, all year around.

Finish this leg at colourful Bright, a bucolic town on the Ovens River. Enjoy peaceful walks with fresh mountain air, or get sweaty and muddy on one of Bright’s intense mountain biking tracks.