Explore Victoria’s breathtaking High Country on the Great Alpine Road from Myrtleford and Bright through Mount Hotham and Omeo, all the way to the coastal paradise of Lakes Entrance. This iconic mountains-to-sea journey showcases the very best of regional Victoria: vineyards, alpine lookouts, historic gold-rush towns, and dreamy coastal sunsets.

There’s something truly timeless about the Victorian High Country — winding mountain roads, crisp alpine air, and towns rich with history and natural beauty. Our journey began in Myrtleford, travelling the Great Alpine Road toward Bright, up to the peaks of Mount Hotham, through the heritage town of Omeo, and finishing at Lakes Entrance on the Gippsland coast.

This route highlights everything Victoria does best: vineyards, mountains, valleys, forests, and ocean all in one adventure!

Myrtleford - Gateway to the Alps

At the base of the Victorian Alps, Myrtleford blends small-town charm with gorgeous countryside scenery. It’s a perfect first stop before climbing into the High Country. We grabbed a local roast from Coffee Chakra before enjoying the Ovens River Trail, a peaceful riverside walk surrounded by mountain views.

Don’t miss:

A wine tasting at Michelini Wines
Drone footage over Myrtleford’s vineyards at golden hour

From here, the road winds toward one of Victoria’s most loved alpine destinations — Bright.

Bright - Heart of the Great Alpine Road

Just 30 minutes from Myrtleford, Bright is known for its tree-lined streets, boutique shops, mountain scenery and outdoor adventure. It’s the perfect base for exploring the High Country.

Be prepared: Bright’s weather is famously unpredictable - we had temperatures shift from 8°C to 22°C in just a few days!

Explore Bright

Wander through Bright’s boutique stores, grab a coffee from one of the local cafés, and take a stroll along the Canyon Walk, where the Ovens River twists through rocky cliffs and suspension bridges. If the weather is on your side, hire a bike and cycle a section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail; one of Victoria’s most scenic rides, passing farmland, vineyards, and mountain views.

Eat: Gum Tree Pies - absolutely unmissable! Their fillings are incredible, and it’s the perfect warm comfort food after a day of exploring.

Mount Buffalo National Park

A must-do when visiting Bright. We drove the winding road up to the Mount Buffalo Chalet, explored the Glass Skywalk, and watched the clouds roll over the plateau.. and WOW! We unfortunately couldn’t reach The Horn due to black ice, but when conditions are safe, it’s one of the best hikes in Victoria.

Bright Tips:

Make sure you check at Ladies Bath Falls and Eurobin Falls at the bottom of the Mountain
Stop at Mackey’s Lookout on the drive up Mount Buffalo
Try The Big Walk if you have time
Finish your day with a craft beer at Bright Brewery
Head to The Horn for panoramic sunset views

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
Best time for photos: sunrise at Danny’s Lookout

Omeo - Alpine History and High Country Charm

From Hotham, the road descends into Omeo, a historic gold rush town wrapped in mountain air and heritage charm. We stayed at Omeo Caravan & Tourist Park for two nights — a peaceful spot right by the creek and within easy walking distance of town.

Even though we caught some wet weather, we still made it out to the Omeo Mountain Bike Trail (OMB) network. With more than 114km of trails ranging from beginner-friendly flow tracks to advanced technical sections, it's becoming one of Victoria’s most exciting alpine MTB destinations. The views are incredible, but definitely be prepared — weather can change quickly and make the trails more challenging.

After a big day on the bikes, we headed to the Golden Age Hotel for a proper pub feed. Highly recommend the schnitty or parmi — the perfect cosy dinner after exploring the High Country.

Lakes Entrance

From Omeo, it’s around a 1.5-hour drive to Lakes Entrance, where the East Coast leg of the journey begins. The descent into town is one of the most stunning moments of the entire road trip — sweeping turquoise water, rolling sandbars, and that instant coastal calm after days in the mountains.

We stayed at Lakes Entrance G’day Parks, perfectly located near the high street and foreshore, making it an ideal base for exploring the region.

Start by wandering the Lakes Entrance foreshore, where boats drift across still water backed by mountain views. It’s the perfect way to ease into life by the coast.

Raymond Island – Koala Paradise

A short drive to Paynesville takes you to the ferry for Raymond Island, and the best part? It’s completely free for walkers and cyclists. Once on the island, follow the Koala Trail — a huge highlight of our trip. We counted 20 wild koalas along the path, surrounded by native bushland and birdlife. If you love spotting Australian wildlife in its natural habitat, this is a must-do.

Relax at Metung Hot Springs

After exploring the island, we headed to the Metung Hot Springs Spa Retreat for the afternoon. Soaking in geothermal pools with panoramic lake views was the dreamiest way to unwind after a full day of adventuring.

Buchan Caves Reserve

The next morning, we drove an hour to Buchan Caves Reserve, home to some of Victoria’s most impressive limestone formations. We joined both the Royal Cave and Fairy Cave tours. Even with heavy rain outside, the experience felt magical — the humidity in the caves creates an almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Be sure to watch for kangaroos and red-necked wallabies around the reserve — we saw so many hopping through the grasslands!

If time allows, the walking trails around Buchan are beautiful and offer peaceful pockets of forest and mountain views.

Final Thoughts - The Great Alpine Connection

Travelling from Myrtleford to Lakes Entrance along the Great Alpine Road is one of Victoria’s most cinematic journeys, the perfect blend of mountain adventure and coastal bliss.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of our East Coast travels!

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Victorian High Country Road Trip: From Myrtleford to Lakes Entrance Along the Great Alpine Road