What is the Great Alpine Road?
The Great Alpine Road is a scenic touring route in Victoria that crosses the Victorian Alps between Wangaratta in the northeast and Bairnsdale in East Gippsland, climbing over Mount Hotham along the way.
The road runs for roughly 300 kilometres and is one of the highest sealed roads in Australia. It links the wine and food towns of the northeast with the lakes and coast of Gippsland, making it a popular multi-day drive.
From Wangaratta the route follows the Ovens Valley through Myrtleford and Bright, a town famous for its autumn colors, poplar avenues and cycling trails. Beyond Harrietville the road begins its long, winding climb into the mountains.
Over the high country
Near the top the road passes through the Mount Hotham alpine resort, where it runs along an exposed ridge above the tree line. In winter, snow chains may be required and the alpine section can be affected by ice, fog and occasional closures.
On the eastern side the road descends through Dinner Plain and the old gold-mining district around Omeo before following the Tambo River valley south. The scenery changes from snow gums and alpine meadows to farmland and forest.
The drive ends at Bairnsdale, close to the Gippsland Lakes. Travelers often combine it with walks in the Alpine National Park, visits to wineries in the King Valley, or cycling on the rail trails around Bright.
Did You Know?
Motorists should check road conditions before crossing the alpine section, especially between June and October.