From Mountains to Coast: The Ultimate Great Alpine Road Trip
There’s something special about a road trip that takes you from high country peaks to the sparkling coastline and the Great Alpine Road is one of the most spectacular drives in Australia. In November, we travelled from Myrtleford through Victoria’s alpine region, down to East Gippsland, across to the NSW Sapphire Coast.
Along the way, we explored national parks, coastal towns, heritage pubs, rainforests, lagoons, and even a few unexpected local gems. This itinerary blends our personal experience with practical tips to help you plan your own unforgettable alpine-to-coast adventure.
Myrtleford: Gateway to the Great Alpine Road
We began in Myrtleford, a quiet and scenic alpine town surrounded by vineyards and rolling mountain views. It’s the perfect warm-up before tackling the dramatic climbs of the Great Alpine Road.
We stayed at Myrtleford Holiday Park, a cozy and convenient base with everything you need. If you’ve got some time, grab a coffee at Café Fez to start the day, such a cool vibey Moroccan style cafe! Then head to Reform Hill Lookout, a short hike along the trails of an old gold mine. The climb is easy enough for most, and the views from the top of the surrounding valleys and mountains are spectacular. While exploring, keep an eye out for the Mosaic Trail throughout all of Myrtleford, hundreds of hidden gem featuring beautiful local artworks along the path. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll along the Ovens River, soaking in the peaceful scenery before hitting the road. The drives ahead are some of the most breathtaking in Victoria, with sweeping alpine landscapes that make every bend and climb worth it.
Reform Hill Lookout, Myrtleford, Victoria
Bright: Heart of the Alpine Road
Just 30 minutes from Myrtleford, Bright is the heart of the alpine region and one of the most loved towns along the Great Alpine Road.
What really surprised us during our stay was how temperamental the weather can be. We experienced everything from 8°C mornings to sunshine-filled 22°C afternoons within a single week. So heads up!
Main Street, Bright, Victoria
Exploring Mt Buffalo National Park
One of our favourite days was driving the winding road up to Mt Buffalo National Park.
We stopped at the Mt Buffalo Chalet and walked to the Glass Skywalk Lookout, where we were standing above the clouds. Depending on the weather, visibility ranges from unlimited alpine panoramas to moody fog - but both are incredible in their own way.
We had planned to hike to The Horn, the highest point in the park, but black ice from early-season snow made the road unsafe. If the conditions allow during your visit, it’s a must-do.
Helpful tips from our visit:
Stop at Mackey’s Lookout halfway up for great views without the crowds.
Consider doing part of The Big Walk if you have time.
Weather changes fast - pack layers.
Mount Hotham - Alpine Peaks & Breathtaking Lookouts
Leaving Bright, the road climbs sharply into the High Country and quickly becomes one of Australia’s most dramatic alpine drives. As you wind higher, the views open up over deep valleys and rolling ridgelines; every turn is a photo moment.
Make your first stop at Danny’s Lookout sitting at 1,700m for sweeping views of the Australian Alps. We even had snow in November, which felt so surreal!
Continue into Hotham Village and grab a bite at The General - great food, cosy vibe, and big mountain views. Before descending, stop at the Mount Kosciuszko Lookout for another panoramic viewpoint that’s perfect for photos and drone shots.
Mount Hotham Tips:
Weather changes fast; pack warm layers, a jacket & sunscreen
Top lookouts: Danny’s Lookout, The Summit
Best walks: Razorback Trail, Mount Loch Loop, Summit Walk
Limited food options outside winter - stock up in Harrietville or Dinner Plain
Winter: entry fees + chains required | Summer: free entry/parking
Nearby Dinner Plain is great for coffee, food & short trails
Omeo: History, High Country & Mountain Trails
The descent into Omeo is beautiful, with rolling high country landscapes guiding you toward this historic gold rush town. We stayed at Omeo Caravan & Tourist Park for two nights. It’s peaceful, creekside, and within walking distance to town.
Omeo Mountain Bike Trails (OMB)
Despite some wet weather, we managed to hit the OMB trail network, which features more than 114km of tracks for various skill levels.
The views across the valley are incredible, but be mindful that conditions change quickly. A bit of experience definitely helps.
After the ride, the Golden Age Hotel was our go-to for a hearty pub feed!
Omeo Mountain Bike Park, Omeo
Lakes Entrance: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
The 1.5-hour drive from Omeo to Lakes Entrance marks the start of the coastal stretch of the trip — and what a welcome it is. We stopped at Jemmys Lookout along the way, a perfect spot to take in the sweeping views before descending the final hill into town. As you roll down into Lakes Entrance, the bright turquoise water and winding sandbars immediately set the tone.
We based ourselves at Lakes Entrance G’day Parks, just a short walk from the foreshore, cafés and shops, making it an easy and relaxing stop.
One of the highlights of the region was jumping on the ferry from Paynesville to Raymond Island. It’s free for walkers and cyclists, and once you arrive, the Koala Trail is an absolute must. We spotted around 20 wild koalas along with plenty of native birdlife — a dream for wildlife lovers. To unwind after a few big days of exploring, we headed to Metung Hot Springs, where geothermal bathing with lake views feels like pure bliss.
Even a day of pouring rain couldn’t dampen our visit to Buchan Caves Reserve. Touring the Royal Cave and Fairy Cave was magical, with incredible limestone formations and fascinating stories behind the reserve. Outside, kangaroos and red-necked wallabies hopped around freely — even through the car park.
Marlo: Where the Snowy River Meets the Sea
Leaving Lakes Entrance, we made our way to the quiet coastal town of Marlo, known for the spot where the Snowy River meets the ocean. We stayed at Marlo Caravan Park, and quickly learned that a visit to the Marlo Hotel is essential — especially at sunset. We happened to go on Steak Night and enjoyed dinner with perfect views over the river as the sky lit up in shades of orange and pink.
Nearby, Cape Conran Coastal Park was a beautiful place to explore, ideal for picnics, swimming, or a gentle bushwalk. The track to Salmon Rocks Beach was a standout, with rugged coastline, crystal-blue water, and striking rock formations that make it feel untouched and wild. We also loved wandering along the Snowy River Estuary Walk, a peaceful trail with views across the water and plenty of birdlife. Marlo is also a great spot for kayaking and fishing, with calm waterways and easy access to the estuary.
Wonboyn: Untouched & Slow-Paced
From Marlo, we continued into NSW and arrived in Wonboyn, a tiny Sapphire Coast village known for its peaceful atmosphere and pristine waterways.
Our favourite things to do here:
Kayaking and swimming in Wonboyn Lake
Visiting the Greenglade Picnic Area
Taking in the dramatic views at Disaster Bay Lookout
If you like fishing, this is a dream destination - bream, whiting, and flathead are all common catches.
Wonboyn, Sapphire Coast, NSW
Pambula: Beaches & Bushland
Next, we made our way to Pambula, a coastal town that balances relaxed beach living with great food and plenty to explore.
We stayed at Pambula Beach Caravan Park, right on the water. The accommodation and facilities were excellent, and the onsite café Aqua was perfect for morning coffees. The beach is patrolled on weekends, and waking up to ocean views felt unbeatable!
The Pambula to Merimbula cycleway quickly became a favourite - a flat, scenic ride through bushland and wetlands. Easy to check out the neighbouring town of Merimbula.
If your after award winning pies, check out Wild Rye’s Bakery in town, home to some of the best pastries on the Sapphire Coast! We spent the afternoon at Longstocking Brewery, enjoying their craft beer, relaxed atmosphere, and even sampling some of their handmade chocolate. We also visited Pinnacles Lookout in Ben Boyd National Park, taking the short walk out to the dramatic red-and-white sandstone cliffs for an incredible ocean view.
On our last evening, we headed to the Pambula River Walk at sunset, watching the colours reflect beautifully across the water and of course, we couldn’t leave without dinner at Wheelers Restaurant, where we tucked into fresh local seafood. The oysters were a standout, and the seafood platter was generous!! Highly recommend.
Tathra: A Sapphire Coast Gem You Shouldn’t Miss
From Pambula, we continued north to Tathra and this little coastal town won us over instantly. With pristine beaches, rugged national parks, artisan food, and a relaxed, community-driven vibe, Tathra feels like the perfect blend of nature and small-town charm.
We based ourselves at Tathra Stay Eco Camp, a beautifully designed campground surrounded by National Park and just across from Tathra Beach. It’s quiet, thoughtfully built, and even has its own on-site café and a BATH!!!. It’s an easy 5-star recommendation from us.
No trip to Tathra is complete without visiting the historic Tathra Wharf. Standing over bright turquoise water, it’s one of the most picturesque wharfs on the Sapphire Coast.
Food lovers will be in heaven here - especially seafood fans. We tried Tathra Oysters, harvested from some of the cleanest waters in Australia, and they were unbelievably fresh. Award-winning, they’re a must-try!
Tathra also makes a great base for exploring the Bega Valley, and we took the opportunity to do an easy day trip to the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre.
The real surprise, though, was North of Eden Distillery. Set on a quiet farm in Stoney Creek, this place feels like a hidden treasure. The handcrafted buildings, rolling pastures, and even a small herd of Highland Cows feel’s worlds away from the coastline. The $10pp gin tasting was very informative and naturally, we left with a couple of bottles. Tip: Head there round lunchtime to enjoy gin and feeding the cows!
For nature lovers, Tathra is paradise. We ventured along the Kangarutha Walking Track, a rugged stretch of coastline with dramatic cliffs, bright blue water, and hidden coves. Wallagoot Gap was the standout, a narrow opening in the rocks leading to a sheltered cove perfect for a peaceful dip at low tide.
Another highlight was exploring Cowdroy’s Beach and Nelson’s Lagoon in Mimosa Rocks National Park. We accidentally stumbled across Cowdroy’s Beach but check out that coastline! The true hidden gem was the lagoon, and we had the whole cove to ourselves!
We kayaked across its glassy aqua water, spotting fish and little sharks beneath us, before drifting out toward a completely empty beach.
Tathra also has some fantastic spots to eat. The Tathra Hotel was a favourite, with fresh oysters, hearty pub meals, and a balcony that overlooks the coast. For morning coffee, Wild Rye’s was our go-to just down from the eco camp. Insane brunch and matcha’s!
Full of ocean views, good food, and endless outdoor adventures, Tathra was one of those places we didn’t want to leave - a true gem of the Sapphire Coast.
Cowdroy’s Beach, Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tathra
This alpine-to-coast road trip was the perfect blend of mountains, beaches, wildlife, and small-town gems - a reminder of just how special this part of Australia is.
If you’re planning your own trip, we highly recommend booking your stays through G’Day Parks for comfortable, well-located campgrounds that make travelling easy.
Stay tuned for our next blog diving into Australia’s capital city, Canberra, and the stunning South Coast of NSW. You won’t want to miss it!
