document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 The Sabbatical Guide | Established 2018. Travel blogs would be a bit useless if they all said discover it for yourself though, so here are a few things that we loved: Ill start with the shops and food, as this was our favourite bit about the town (we visited two days on the trot). I was told today visiting VHC would be like a holiday to the moon following the devastating fires. Walk the highlights of the Victorian High Country including Bright, Mount Buffalo, Bogong high plains and Mt Feathertop returning each evening to our cosy accommodation in the beautiful town of Bright. From the south of Thailand to the north, then down through, Read More 6 Things Ive Learned from 6 Weeks in AsiaContinue, Its rare I feel the need to write about an individual place we stay on our adventures, but Springriver Resort, Read More SpringRiver Resort Laos: 5 Reasons You Must Stay Here [Review]Continue, Nothing in this world thats worth having comes easy Now thats a quote worthy of starting an article. The drive up the mountain is an exciting one, it took us nearly an hour to do the 38km from the B500 (the road heading into Bright) and we counted well over 20 sharp bends. day 3 bluff hut, lovicks hut ,zeka spur into wonnangatta valley , camp at talbotville. When we pulled over at Dannys Lookout, the bikes were all lined up here, each taking their turn to go back around one of the bends with a photographer waiting to take the action shot. Victoria's High Country Brewery Trail. For more recommendations read 20 Amazing Attractions to Discover in Beechworth. . Further along this road there are some great camping areas on the Dargo River with places such as Italian Flat, Dusty Flat and Black Flat just to name a few. If youre coming to the High Country Ive no doubt youve heard of Beechworth or had recommendations to visit here. It's full of awesome tracks, picturesque camping, and the type of wilderness usually only available when places are hard to get to. The Victorian High Country is truly Trayon territory, as many of the tracks are unsuitable for camper trailers, and having the freedom of a slide on camper is a distinct advantage. In winter months many of the higher altitude and more fragile tracks will be closed to avoid damage so that we can continue to use them for years to come. During the gold rush era, the township boasted a population of 2,000. Photography Beach. Within the thousands of kilometres of two-wheel drive roads and four-wheel drive tracks there are dozens of destinations that are part of the history of Eastern Victoria. Oct 18, 2019 - Explore the Victorian High Country in Australia. Billy Goat Bluff is considered one of the most challenging and scenic tracks in the Victorian High Country. Though, the High Country experience doesnt have to be all white knuckle and hairy chested. Victorian High Country Trip Planning Where to Stay in the Victorian High Country Your 4WD should have recovery points located at the front and rear. Now its time to prepare for some adrenaline filled 4WDing ahead! 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. Horse rides will be run by Spring Spur Horse Riding. We chose to stay a little outside Beechworth, partly due to cost and partly because we wanted to be out in the country. You are using an out of date browser. The For this reason, most of the 4WD tracks in the region are closed for from the start of June to November. There is plenty to see here including grabbing some last minute supplies, souvenirs or fuel from the general store. . The Victorian High Country provides the best 4Wdriving and most spectacular scenery in Australia. The shady park nearby is an excellent place for a cuppa or lunch before tackling the tracks. The only formed campsites on the Trail are a couple of grassed areas on New Country Creek, at the base of the infamous 'Staircase' climb that can accommodate at most four vehicles. All rights reserved. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. It's a really nice mix of high alpine scenery (snow gums and epic landscape views) and 4WD track driving. There is also a track to the right to another campsite, but it pays to cross the Dargo River and continue up the valley as there is plenty more to come. A mountain gold town which flourished during Victorias golden era, Talbotville was one of the longest surviving towns in the region. This is the BEST 4Wdrive adventure in the land. In the second half of the nineteenth century thousands of Europeans, Americans and Chinese headed into the High Country in search of gold. The round-trip tour from Bright in the High Country combines hikes through the ski villages of Falls Creek, Hotham and Dinner Plain . Make a left turn immediately after the Bridge onto Talbotville Road heading east. 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. Thrill to the spectacular mountain-top scenery of the alpine high plains. Outside of the really busy periods of the year such as Easter and summer long weekends, you are usually assured of getting a suitable site to set up camp. It's known for its Victorian-era streetscapes, and is home to the Grape Vine Hotel, the largest grapevine in Australia. During the gold rush era, the town of Dargo provide a stop over for miners on their way to the goldfields of Grant, Talbotville and Crooked River. Definitely! Towns like Bright and Harrietville are simply stunning as the leaves fall, and the bracing weather makes you really feel like a High Country traveller. Perched on the side of a hill, with only endless skies and green fields in front, the location is stunning. Located near Lake Cobbler and down a few hundred metres of bush track, Dandongadale Falls is quite impressive. From an adult point of view, Mansfield Zoo is a so-so experience, but for a kid this place is amazing. The view from Dannys Lookout was amazing, we sat up here for well over half an hour, letting our little girl stretch her legs and have a crawl around and chatting with the photographers, who were quite concerned that Id just cleaned my camera lens with my t-shirt! Heres how to prepare. For me, I really love autumn in the High Country. There are pit toilets, a hut and several separate areas to setup camp. Worth a listen and track it on google maps or something as he talks about it. Towns & Villages LIMITLESS HORIZONS The Deddick Trail features some of the steepest tracks in the Victorian High Country. It is suitable for those with and without off road trailers. With pristine camping, spectacular views, and great 4WDriving you just have to get out and explore this area for yourself. It was only after wandering around we realised we were at the top of what would be a huge ski slope in winter (though the imposing white frames of the ski-lifts should have been a big giveaway). Victoria's High Country - The Official Website - plan and book your next getaway WALKS WITH ENDLESS VIEWS Step outside the everyday. When people talk about the Dargo Hotel, they do so with a glint in their eye, and a grin on their gob. The Wellington River Camping area consists of 14 separate camping areas of varying sizes along a 10km stretch of the Wellington River. 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. If I was concerned the road was a little flat for an Alpine route, I shouldnt have been. 4WD. 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. Long rocky climbs seem to go on forever, only to end with spectacular views of mountains and the distant thin lines of other tracks crossing the ridges. Wander FAR AWAY FROM THE EVERYDAY Vibrant, unique and marked with history, these alluring destinations offer endless possibilities. 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. Explore nature trails on foot or horseback, and frolic in the snow in winter. These tours run throughout the year and are fully catered. And thanks to cut-price DVDs at big retailers, theyre not hard to find, either. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Call Vic for an itinerary. Peters knowledge of the local area (ask him to show you some of his finds from the river!) Camping in the Victorian High Country is fantastic. Stunning camping sites dot the landscape around Victoria's High Country. The only thing I had to do was loosen the release points of the legs to make them faster to adjust. From the top here we could see down to Hotham Alpine Resort. This is your last chance to refuel and pickup any last minute supplies from the General Store. Cattlemens huts are a feature of the High Country. Make sure you stop in at the old style sweet shop to stock up. At this point, turn slightly right onto Moroka Road and continue to head east. I have driven through snow in late January! It's no place for soft-roaders and is a challenge for quite capable 4WDs. What was great fun though was the number of animals that it was possible to get up close to and feed. - Do you require Driver Training? To support the community, stores, churches, banks, hotels and even a police station was present. See more ideas about beautiful mountains, mountain town, australia. The Grant Township once had a population of around 2000 with stores, hotels, a police station, churches, banks, dwellings and even a local newspaper flanking two broad main streets. Being such a large area you can spend weeks or even months exploring this region. This is a classic hotel in every sense of the word, with hearty meals, wraparound verandahs and a perfect location. It starts with an incredibly steep ascent, elevating 1,200 metres in just 7kms before descending 950m to the valley floor below. The Moroka road offers great views at times to the north across the Avon Wilderness area with the mountain ranges in the distance. The proximity of the High Country to surrounding towns adds variety to a visit. Today Talbotville is a beautiful camping area bordered by the Crooked River with lush green grass even when the surrounding bush land is so dry and dusty. Rule 1: don't try to cram an entire . There are some information boards position along walking tracks which provide commentary into the story of this former mining town. From the King Spur Track turn right onto the Dargo High Plains Road and drive 6km to the Blue Rag Track which commences on the left beside a small dam. So when youre forced to drive kilometre after kilometre down into steep valleys, your brakes will really start to feel the heat. 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. Its quite impressive, but I wouldnt go too far out of your way to see it if you werent passing by El Dorado already. Now its time to select low range to save the brakes and tackle the several switch-backs which are a common feature of steep tracks in the victorian high country. OVERVIEW: VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY - $1885 TRACK """The traveller by the mountain-track may hear their hoof-beats pass, And catch a glimpse of brown and black dim shadows on the grass." 808KM - Banjo Paterson Brumby's Run 9 DAYS. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. If your looking for a customised itinerary we can tailor make a tour to suit your requirement. When you arrive, you will be rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views of the High Country. Lovicks Hut, King Hut, Craigs Hut the list goes on and on. Find and compare all 988 South Africa tours, cruises, and packages from 242 companies. Most of the towns have a coffee shop for a caffeine jolt, a bakery to replenish the cholesterol level and you may find a boutique brewery or hidden gem winery. El Dorado is a quirky little gold-rush town, with not a busting lot going on in it. It came from, Read More Biggleswade To Paris 240 Miles Non Stop!Continue, We visited Cape Schanck on our recent trip to the Mornington Peninsula and loved it. This is decision time left is Howitt Road which heads towards the Howitt High Plains and right is the Moroka Road which heads towards the Pinnaclesand the east. Great Divide Tours reserves the right to cancel or alter any tour or course at any time. This iconic pub delivers an authentic country pub atmosphere and is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink and a meal. Honestly, you dont need a list from me, just get out of your car and wander around until you see something you like. From the Pinnacles carpark it is a short walk up the access track to the radio transmitter and fire spotters hut, then a steep track with sheer drops on both sides to the fire tower. 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. One aspect of the Victorian High Country is that it has many spectacular places only known to a relative few, and hopefully, this article will encourage you to explore some of these hidden gems (or perhaps find your own piece of Victorian High Country paradise!). Like many National Parks in Australia, Gariwerd is rich in Aboriginal heritage and natural beauty. Victoria's High Country is the place where many of our best four-wheel drivers earned their spurs. 4.1 km from the summer 4WD road head to the summit. The track is steep in parts, and scrabbly in others, but is in generally pretty good condition. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The bamboo bridges are one of Luang Prabangs most iconic sights and appear on many famous photos of the town. Unit 3/614 Maroochydore RdKunda Park, Sunshine CoastQLD Australia 4556. Iconic Four Wheel Drives of Victoria - Parks Victoria, Four Wheel Drive Victoria & Victorian State Government. While most of the crossings are small, there are a few deeper ones to watch out for. With ample flat grassy campsites adjacent the Dargo River, plenty of shade from the majestic gum trees, and the vista of the surrounding mountains you would be hard pressed to find a better location for a few days. 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. There are some great photo opportunities all the way along the track, particularly at the pinch and the helipad. Location: Mansfielf, Vic Product code: VHC5 Leaving from Mansfield, Vic we head into the Victorian High country and Alpine region. Generally this first river crossing is fairly easy but there are several large rocks to avoid. From Grant continue along McMillians Rd for another 5km then turn right onto Dargo High Plans Rd and continue for another 18km until you reach the town of Dargo. 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. 20/20 Head to Healesville, a foodie's paradise Tracks, Towns, Maps and Campgrounds, Photography everything you need to know. The itinerary includes two base camps beside beautiful mountain streams and a camp high amongst the snow gums. Outside of peak periods such as summer long weekends or Easter, there should be plenty of availability to setup camp. Today a sense of this history can be found in the old ruins, mine workings and the old cemetery. Check out this Victorian High Country Map of our adventure. Ben is the blogger behind TheSabbaticalGuide.com, a site designed to give people the information, tools and inspiration they need to make their sabbatical dreams a reality. Chiltern is a town in Victoria 's High Country. Recommended for those with the proper 4WD training, experience and well prepared vehicle, you can take on this challenge with confidence. The King Spur Track starts by meandering amongst the Snow Gums before opening out to spectacular views across to Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain. This was more than just a place to stay though, Elly turned it into an experience. Continue following the Crooked River Track north, through farmland, then some forested areas for 9km, until you reach a large grassy opening. this will no doubt cause some controversy, so let the hate mail begin! This track is doable with a camper trailer but having a lightweight slide on like the Trayon makes the experience easier and safer without sacrificing any of the camping essentials we like to have in the bush nowadays. Our aim was to see the famously pretty little Victorian towns, drive some of the spectacular High Country roads and get to as many of the mountains and national parks as we could. The High Country weather can change so quick, particularly when your planning to go and your in there with a camper! Balance: due and payable 30 days prior to departure. Yes the apartment is fairly basic and there is no WiFi, but frankly, who cares. But then when you contrast this with the view from the Blue Rag Range, which boasts a more stunning and challenging track, its a tough choice indeed. Beat the price rise & place your booking deposit on a new Trayon Camper before Nov 5th, 2021! But of course, you are in the mountains, so expect the unexpected when it comes to weather. You will see Lake Cobbler, King River, the Man From Snowy River Hut, Lovick's Hut, Howitt High plains, Wonnangatta Valley, Historic Grant, the incredible Pinnacle Lookout and the most fabulous 4WD track in Australia (our secret destination). I have visited this area for over 25 years and have put together a trip that includes the magic and splendour of this great land. Victorian High Country - 4WD Tag-Along Adventure Tour - The Offroad Tradies Products Victorian High Country 6 day Tag-Along Adventure Tour 2022 From AUD $900.00 Duration: 6 Days (approx.) Alpine National Park is an Australian Alps national park in the High Country region of Victoria. The Great Alpine Road was the main reason for our visit to the High Country. You will have the opportunity to take in the impressive mountain range, breath-taking views, and wildlife. Ive tried my best to create a map showing the area which you can see a screenshot of below or it is saved on Google Maps here. From the Pinnacles head back down to Billy Goats Bluff turnoff on the right. With a baby in the car, we didnt quite make the whole loop to Omeo but managed to do an out-and-back journey to Dinner Plain that was more than sufficient as an Alpine fix. The Victorian High Country in is without question one of the best Four-Wheel Drive locations in Australia. With pristine camping, spectacular views, and great 4WDriving you just have to get out and explore this area for yourself. 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. However littleremains today. 6 Things Ive Learned from 6 Weeks in Asia, SpringRiver Resort Laos: 5 Reasons You Must Stay Here [Review].