Its an architectural striking gold-rush town, filled with well-preserved buildings, quirky local stores and pillar-lined covered walkways to escape the sun. The Best Winter Drives in Victoria's High Country Victorian High Country walks Australian mountains Wood sometimes can be scarce so it pays to bring your own or collect some on the way to ensure a good campfire for the evening. For all my favourite travel and photography gear check out this page. High Country Map - Victoria, Australia - Mapcarta Businesses included a butcher, baker, chemist, restaurant and a hotel, with a Post Office operating intermittently into the late 1940s. Ouray, CO | Lolo's Extreme Cross Country RV Trips You can only vote once, but please add to the list if your favourite isn't there. Alpine National Park. Victorian High Country Itinerary & Trip Planning [Summer] And as already mentioned, the view from the top is mind-blowing. It starts with an incredibly steep ascent, elevating 1,200 metres in just 7kms before descending 950m to the valley floor below. Holly Revord. For a start, it boasts Victorias longest single drop waterfall (255m), but the natural paddle pools at the top are what the locals love. With a huge range of tracks and campsites on offer, the majority of which are completely free of charge, the high country is truly one of the premier camping and 4WDing destinations in Australia. The King Spur Track starts by meandering amongst the Snow Gums before opening out to spectacular views across to Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain. On the second day drive up to the top of Mount Buffalo and take in the views from The Horn. Oodnadatta Track: The iconic Aussie Adventure. That being said there is a few pretty fun tracks in there. So without further ado, here are some of the High Country must see places and my Victorian High Country Itinerary. From Dargo take the road north on the Dargo High Plains Road through picturesque farmland and past charming homesteads, until climbing out of the valley into a forested area. Tim Bates recently did a 2 part youtube live of what he reckons would be the trip of a lifetime, aimed at people that aren't experts on high country travel and not into the hardest of tracks. This is when the lower foothill areas that are much less used are worth visiting. After a selfie fill session at the Pinnacles lookout, head back down the same road until you reach the turn off for Billy Goat Bluff track. The bamboo bridges are one of Luang Prabangs most iconic sights and appear on many famous photos of the town. The 4WD Suitable to 4WDrives with high and low range. Here are a few other things we found really useful on the trip: What is the best place you have visited in Victoria? It's no place for soft-roaders and is a challenge for quite capable 4WDs. Photography Beach. Unfortunately, little of this remains today. So if crowds dont bother you, then go for it. This gave us a good mix of experiences in different parts of the High Country. There is nothing better than rocking up to one of the regions pristine campsites with all the comforts of home that you have in the Trayon. He used this place regularly as a camp due to its fantastic views over the King Valley, giving him time to escape the local police. If you are a photographer then the High Country is a great chance to have a dabble in astrophotography. The track eventually comes to a large open grassy area called Talbotville, a very picturesque and terrific place to camp. . With pristine camping, spectacular views, and great 4WDriving you just have to get out and explore this area for yourself. Camping in the Victorian High Country is fantastic. 7.3 km from the winter gate at the end of the rough 2WD section of the road. Take some time to absorb this view and appreciate what many believe is the best view in the whole Victorian High Country! Victoria's High Country region encompasses an extensive area of alpine mountain terrain about 380km north-east of Melbourne. Our Place, Bright>>>CLICK HERE TO SEE CURRENT PRICES<<<. Sample the exotic flavours of Africa's 'Spice Island', relax on Kande Beach at Lake Malawi, scale the sand dunes in Sossusvlei, glide through the . Victorian High Country (7 days) - Great Divide Tours After a pleasant night or even a few days at Mayford, it is time to backtrack down the valley and back up to the Dargo High Plains. This walk traverses diverse landscapes of forests, alpine grassland, winters snow-blanketed mountains, precipitous ridges and high plains. I have driven through snow in late January! Towns & Villages LIMITLESS HORIZONS We have a roof top tent, planning on spending most of our time in the national parks, but also into Melbourne & do the GOR. . Itinerary is as follows Day before tour kicks off - meet up in Jamieson for welcome dinner Day 1 - Jamieson in to the High Country Day 2 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 3 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 4 - Travel high country tracks and trails Day 5 - Travel high country tracks and trails with farewell dinner Piles of stones mark chimney sites where miners cottages, shops, banks and hotels once stood. We are British ex-pats who moved out to Victoria in 2019 and have been exploring the state in our spare time (this links to all my Victoria content). One of the greatest Victorian road trip destinations, Gariwerd (commonly known by its anglicized name, The Grampians - but it was called Gariwerd by the indigenous population for thousands of years prior) is a spectacular national park. The shady park nearby is an excellent place for a cuppa or lunch before tackling the tracks. Victorian High Country - Outback Travel Australia Victoria's High Country is a wine-lovers paradise and with so many amazing wineries in the region (like Pizzini, Dal Zotto, Corsini and Politini), one of the best ways to start your journey is by taking a full-day wine tour. Food This is a self catered tour, bring your own food and drink requirements, we supply a gas BBQ for your use in camp. This iconic pub delivers an authentic country pub atmosphere and is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink and a meal. Victoria's High Country Brewery Trail is an easily drivable, or even better, chauffeured drive through the High Country. 5 Day High Country Accommodated Tour | Australis 4wd Adventures Engine braking is required, so pick the lowest gear your transfer case will offer, and grind your way down. After a few kilometers there is a turnoff to the right to Long Spur Track continue following King Spur Track. Complete this quick survey. this will no doubt cause some controversy, so let the hate mail begin! Harrietville marked the start of severe inclines, with switchbacks replacing the long straight tarmac wed had so far (just check out those corners on the map below!). They are sturdy, fairly light without being ridiculously expensive. Still free in an age of user pays, there are hundreds of places to roll out the swag, pitch a tent or set up the camper trailer. These are our favourite places from the High Country in the order we visited them. The most memorable experiences of the entire trip. Blue Rag Range Track in the Victoria High Country would have to be one of the best 4WD tracks that you will drive any where in Australia.Blue Rag Range Track. 19,000Kms Later, 15 Electric Utes Australia Would Love to See in the roads, Budget Ute Showdown: Tata, Great Wall, Foton, Jmc And More. We were excited to escape the city after five months of a very hard and were looking forward to it. The zoo aspect of it wasnt so impressive. Continuing along the high plains on Tamboritha Road, head pass the Lost Plain picnic area and you eventually arrive at Arbuckle Junction. The Victorian High Country, so many different tracks, so many mountains to climb, so many creeks to cross. 4X4 High CountryadviceBest Vic High CountryCamping VictoriaguideHo-tohow toTravelVic High Country. For this tour we recommend drivers have some 4WDing experience; as there are numerous steep hill climbs and descents and creek crossings. With our girl propped on our hip we helped brush the goat, collect eggs and put the ducks away from the foxes. Best time of year to Visit the High Country? A guided 4 day Pack-Free walk. - Do you require Driver Training? Camping is available out the back of the pub or over at the Dargo River Innif wishing to make a night of it! A 3-day itinerary in Woomargama National Park | Visit NSW Finding each campground is straight forward since all campgrounds are clearly sign posted and easily visible from Tamboritha Road. Wellington River Campgrouds Victorian High Country, Gateway into the Victorian High Country Dargo, Getting to Licola Entry point into the Victorian High Country, 1st night Camp along the Wellington River just north of Licola, Talbotville Camp overnight Historical township from the gold rush era, Grant Historical township from the gold rush era. Friday: Travel to a Talbotville (toilet available) set up camp this will be a static camp We will be travelling to Talbotville via Bulltown Spur track which has lots of river crossings. Ok, so Ill fully admit this place not be for everyone, but we loved it. Four-wheel driving Dargo is arguably the hub of the Victorian High Country. At the end of the descent the reward is our first camping option beside the picturesque Dargo River. Victorian High Country - Easter 2017 - trips Stationary steam engines, water wheels and stamping batteries anything that was too big to get out after it all went bust is still on site. The 4WD Suitable to 4WDrives with high and low range. With its famous Raspberry Grenade, a great tasting beer flavoured with a hint of local raspberries, the Jamieson Brewery is a hard pub to pass. 10 Beginner 4WD Tracks In Victoria That Are Worth A Trip There are some information boards and walking tracks around the township which provide an insight into the towns former glory. There are bypass tracks around the worst areas so generally these shouldnt cause any problems. Bear in mind that this is a 3.5 hour journey each way to Central Melbourne. From an adult point of view, Mansfield Zoo is a so-so experience, but for a kid this place is amazing. About 12km from Arbuckle Junction is MacFarlane Saddle which is the commencement point for the Lake Tali Karng walking track. Horseyard flat is also the starting point for the walking track down to Moroka Gorge and waterfall. Almost immediately after starting down Crooked River Track, you will come to the first of 20+ river crossings along this track. Victoria Content Hub Day 1 Melbourne to Bright Distance 324km - Driving Time About 4 hours Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the Great Alpine Road as you set off on your adventure. Six awesome spots in the Victorian High Country - Unsealed 4X4 He caught the bug for travel at an early age when his dad moved out to South Africa, and now builds regular mini-retirements' into his career, in which he sees the world with his wife Becca. Mount Buffalo is almost literally on the doorstep, the Great Alpine Road starts heading quickly upwards from here and even Beechworth is only 45 minutes away. The lake is one of Victorias deepest natural lakes and is believed to have been formed about 1500 years ago when a massive rock slide collapsed into the valley damming the waters of Nigothoruk Creek above Wellington River. Follow the Wonnagatta Road for 6kms and you will reach the Kingswell Bridge which crosses the Wonnanngatta River. Whats not to love about these roughly constructed bush shelters? From the soaring pillars of the Twelve Apostles to the tree-fern gullies of the Otway National Park, this stunning coastal route is one of the most iconic road trips in Australia. It's a really nice mix of high alpine scenery (snow gums and epic landscape views) and 4WD track driving. . May 31, 2019 - Explore Helen Henrich's board "Victorian High Country" on Pinterest. During the gold rush era, the township boasted a population of 2,000. There's an open plateau at around 1,600m elevation covered in low flowering bushes with 360 degree views just nearby the camp site. There are several good camping areas on the cliff-edge but at an elevation of 1500m a cold night is guaranteed and a roaring fire essentialif choosing to camp here. Victorian High Country 5 day Tag-Along Adventure Tour The Wellington River Camping area offers a dozen campgrounds, spread out along a 10km stretch of the river bank. There are a few deep river crossings that are generally straightforward with a firm base, however take particularcaution especially if recent rains have fallen. The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. For more recommendations read 20 Amazing Attractions to Discover in Beechworth. Stop in and explore famous High country huts like Craig's Hut, Bluff . Youll have the region on the one map, and youll be able to plan each and every stop. Gee, another tough one. And thanks to cut-price DVDs at big retailers, theyre not hard to find, either. Today a sense of this history can be found in the old ruins, mine workings and the old cemetery. Join 4WD TRIP - Beginner trip to the Vic Hi.. (riordak_ranger) This self-contained two-bedroom place is attached to the family home of the delightful Elly, an eccentric, warm-hearted host who has (amongst other things) a goat, a sheep, a cow, a selection of chickens, ducks and a couple of fun little dogs on her smallholding. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. If I was concerned the road was a little flat for an Alpine route, I shouldnt have been. 166 reviews. Facilities There are pit toilets at our camp sites. Highlights of Victorian High Country - Inspiration Outdoors The end point go our Alpine Road adventure was the town of Dinner Plain. Horseyard flat is a series of grassy flats beside the Upper Moroka River and is a great spot to camp. It felt like walking onto a movie set an hour before the actors and crew arrived. by Evan Spence 14/01/2015, 9:44 am 1 Comment. An itinerary carefully curated to suite Grade 2 -3 hiking ability. They offer lenses for most types of cameras (I use a Fuji X-T3) and are cheap enough to have a go without feeling like youre making another major investment. Stunning camping sites dot the landscape around Victoria's High Country. Airlie Beach. You're at 1,750 metres above sea level, completely surrounded by stark mountains and valleys, which slowly disappear into . I believe the best Victorian High Country view is a tie between Blue Rag and Craigs Hut. Four-day 4WD trip in Victoria's high country With stunning valleys, mountains, rivers and lakes, the Victorian High Country is ideal for a family 4WD adventure. JavaScript is disabled. Solo travellers take note - a six-day hiking tour in the Victorian Alps in March has waived the single supplement (saving $325) and is now priced from $2850 a person. At the bottom of Billy Goat Bluff is where the track meets Wonnangatta Road. Heading out of Bright on the B500 we started to get our first glimpses of what was to come, with Mount Feathertop pushing the horizon up the windscreen and leaving the road feeling a tad inadequate in the foreground. Given the impact Covid has had on so many places like this though, Ill give them the benefit of the doubt, as the team seemed to be working really hard while we were there on renovations. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip. If your heart needs a rest from walking to hidden historic sites or driving double black diamond tracks you can head out to stock up on supplies. We were grateful for finding somewhere to eat though, and politely listened to stories about people wed never met whilst munching on some freshly made sandwiches. What I dont do on these posts it put together a random lists of places Ive never been, these are all places we personally visited and can vouch for (if we visited somewhere crap, it simply didnt make it on the list below!). Location: Mansfielf, Vic Product code: VHC6 Leaving from Mansfield, Vic we head into the Victorian High country and Alpine region. Four-wheel driving, High Country, Victoria, Australia Next up are a series of rocky sections that are quite slow but generally fairly easy going. If you're coming from Woomargama National Park, you can join the trail from either end - or opt for a cruisier section by starting at Sandy Creek Bridge, which . Detour along the Bogong Alpine Way, on the Bogong High Plains Road, and loop through Bright, Mount Beauty, Falls Creek and over . Packed with features, including the region's history, natural features and highlights, making this guide is an indispensable travelling companion for those Booktopia has High . From MacFarland Saddle Carpark, continue along Moroka Road for another 14kms and you will cross the Bridget that spans Moroka River. Head for the hills, because the High Country is the place to be! I posted the below request for assistance in new members and received some positive feedback however it was suggested i post this request here for a better response. In the event of you canceling a booking the following refund policy applies. Copyright 2023 by AxiomThemes. Sunday: Sleep in Pack up head home via Wonnangatta . Tracks with river crossings where you have to pick the right line before carefully climbing out of the current onto the slippery track that leads to another deeper crossing of the same stream. Be cautioustravelling at the beginning of the plain as there are several bog holes that can trap the unwary. Recommended by 94% of travelers. Keep following the Dargo High Plains Road to the Treasure Plain. It is truly one of the premier camping and 4WDing destinations in Australia with a huge range of tracks and campsites on offer, the majority of which are completelyfree of charge. To get to the North Razorback, turn off the Great Alpine Road (B 500) just south of Bright at Germantown on the Mt Beauty Road (C 536). After a night around the campfire, head out east along Tamboritha Road until you reach Bennison Lookout, which is worth a stop as it offers fantastic views towards Lake Tali Karng, Mount Wellington and the Razorback. If youre coming to the High Country Ive no doubt youve heard of Beechworth or had recommendations to visit here. World's Best 4WD Destinations in The Victorian High Country Perched on the side of a hill, with only endless skies and green fields in front, the location is stunning. For those heading into the High Country, Dargo offers a chance to grab some last min supplies and fuel from the General Store. 4WD Day Trips 4WD Day Trips are very enjoyable where you will find good company, practise some skills and get into. On the other side of the range is the Dargo Hotel, est 1898. Victorian High Country - DocsLib Pulpit Rock & Cape Schanck Lighthouse: Definitely Worth a Visit. This is one of my favorite views in all ofthe Victorian High Country. From here you can take a day to drive the best part of the Great Alpine Road up to Hotham Heights, even doing the full loop up to Omea and back round to Mount Beauty. 4WD Pack Hema HX-1 Navigator Both films stand the test of time, and will really get you in the mood for that gorgeous steep terrain that youre about to encounter. Daintree Rainforest. From the Dargo River campsites backtrack to the Dargo High Plains Road and commence the steep climb up onto the high plains. To support the community, stores, churches, banks, hotels and even a police station was present. This is a fantastic option for your first overnight camp. Located near Lake Cobbler and down a few hundred metres of bush track, Dandongadale Falls is quite impressive. Lovicks Hut, King Hut, Craigs Hut the list goes on and on. There is much to discover about the area's rich . One place wed been keen to see with the Victorian High Country and the Great Alpine Road, so on a late November morning we headed packed up the car and headed out early from Melbourne for five nights away. Hema Maps Victorian High Country 6 Day Tour Explore the local scene in charming seaside towns and make time for some unusual stops along the way. 4WD. Survival Gear. With a slide on camper such as the Trayon which is the perfect companion for a victorian high country trip this will be a trip to remember. The photographs in the store feature some great pictures of previous travelers dilemmas, as well as photographs of the dramatic weather conditions such as floods and fires. Powers Lookout is named after Harry Power, a bushranger from the mid-1800s, who was a mentor to the most famous bushranger of them all, Ned Kelly. Billy Goat Bluff is considered one of the most challenging and scenic tracks in the Victorian High Country. The track is steep in parts, and scrabbly in others, but is in generally pretty good condition. Check with Parks Victoria to ensure the track is open before you leave home. Talbotville would have to be a front-runner as the most popular site for families, but with its history and misty mountain scenery, Id have to give the award to the Wonnangatta Valley. The round-trip tour from Bright in the High Country combines hikes through the ski villages of Falls Creek, Hotham and Dinner Plain . We also found this oversized chair at the top, which I imagine looks very different in winter surrounded by snow. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you are travelling up into the High Country with kids, then a sturdy carrier for hikes is going to be needed. WAYPOINT EXPEDITIONS. Chillagoe Caves and Outback by Billy Tea Safaris About Australia You can test your driving skills as we cross over streams, trail mountains and have loads of fun along the great 4WD . A fantastic option when passing through is to enjoy a meal at the legendary Dargo Pub. Sydney Jeep Club - Victoria High Country January 2016 - WildApricot Our little girl was fascinated by me hand feeding Mr Emu, stroked a kangaroo and made friends with a deer. In this article, we focus on some of the southern areas of the Victorian High Country. For me, I really love autumn in the High Country. Peru & Bolivia Marco Polo Pocket Guide - Geographica A narrow track that crests some of the highest parts of the High Country, you'll arrive at the Blue Rag trig point. There are plenty of 4WD and walking tracks emanating from here so it is a good place to base yourself for a few days and explore the areafurther. From the Wellington River, the road climbs up out of the valley to Bennison Lookout which is worth a stop to take in the fabulous views towards Lake Tali Karng, Mount Wellington and the Razorback. It made the must-see list for being so damn unusual, I can honestly say Ive never come across anything like it. Ive already written a bit about this place in the Where to Stay in the Victorian High Country section, but I wanted to push home the point here. Your 4WD should have recovery points located at the front and rear. About all that remains visible of the township are a few stonewalls and the old gold mines in the area. Id seen photos that left me nostalgic of summer trips to Austria and wanted to see this slice of Victoria for myself. Thrill to the spectacular mountain-top scenery of the alpine high plains. NSW & Victoria High Country - Echidna Travel We loved the magical little toy shop Beechworth Toys and Collectables, Beechworth Sweet Co, the shop that looks like it could have come from a Harry Potter movie and having some wonderful eggs Benedict at the Rustique Soul Cafe, sitting beside a life-sized replica of Ned Kellys armour. The rest of El Dorado is fairly sleepy, with a couple of little hikes near the creeks, a self-guided historic town walk and the Mcevoy Tavern, which lays claim to being the smallest pub in Victoria. Vic High Country Weekend Camping & 4WD Guide - BillyGoat From Grant Junction continue northwards through the forested area on the Dargo High Plains Road. The 12mm I picked up was great, as it can focus to infinity and has an aperture of f2. Nestled next to a river or perched high up in the hills, these sites are the perfect place to base for hiking, fishing, four-wheel driving or mountain-biking adventures. Continue to follow the road along the river for another 6km then take a left onto Crooked River Track. Your 4WD should have recovery points located at the front and rear. The Moroka road now becomes the Pinnacles road and the next point of interest is Horseyard Flat, approximately 2km from Marathon Road. The Man From Snowy River 1 & 2 are essential viewing. Turning left will take you through to Eaglevale and onto the iconic Wonnanngatta Station, but on this outing were turning right towards Dargo. Cattlemens huts are a feature of the High Country. While most of the crossings are small, there are a few deeper ones to watch out for. Accommodation is also available in log cabins. If I want to impress someone, the Blue Rag Range track is short, exhilarating and not too far up the road from Mt Hotham. If you are interested in doing a Victorian High Country 4wd Tag Along Tour then have a look at the trips that Australian 4x4 tag Along Tours run to this region. Was a Second Trayon Camper The Right Choice? Passing on coming traffic at these bottlenecks can be extremely challenging. It may not display this or other websites correctly. What was great fun though was the number of animals that it was possible to get up close to and feed. Generally this first river crossing is fairly easy but there are several large rocks to avoid. For a cheap lens that is perfect for astrophotography, I recommended the Samyang range. For this, I am assuming you have a weekend and are travelling up on a Friday night before returning late on a Sunday. Whether you're visiting in Summer, Winter or somewhere in between, you'll be spoilt with scenery. Steep climbs, over 40 river crossings and the incredible scenery are features of this trip. From Horseyard Flat it is another 8km to the turnoff to Billy Goats Bluff track (which well check out later) then another kilometre to the fabulous Pinnacles. Located just 3 hours drive from Melbourne, its also extremely accessible, even for a quick weekend adventure. Included in price: Small-group day tour in a luxury 4WD Travel off the beaten track down exclusive 4WD backroads Morning tea Skybury Coffee Plantation with local coffee or tea, and a snack Spot kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wedge-tail eagles (wildlife galore!) Around 11km further on is Grant Junction and the turn-off to Grant and Talbotville. From Dargo Melbourne is around a 4 hour drive. there is a couple of good books on 4wd tracks in the high country with heaps of info to fit your itinarary this might be some ideas to work with camp at sheepyard flat out of mansfield day 1 craigs hut and mt stirling, back to sheepyard flat day 2 bindaree falls and lake cobbler loop via the staircase, back to sheepyard There is enough to do here to make it an interesting place to stay home, but the big appeal is access to so many of the High Countrys icons. It's home to steep climbs and descents, plenty of water crossings and thousands of kilometres of tracks that are ever-changing. The cattlemen brought their own culture to the High Country and it has become part of our heritage celebrated in song, poetry and film. From Talbotville head east towards Grant, which is approximately 11km via McMillian Road. Four-day 4WD trip in Victoria's high country - Holidays with Kids Heres how to prepare.