OFF ROADING

Mount Beauty is surrounded by a huge network of dirt tracks that carve their way through State Forest and up into the Alpine National Park. So grab your topographical off-road atlas because the opportunities for 4WD and dirt bike adventures here are endless. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

TAWONGA GAP TRACK

Moderate | 31km | 2hrs

From Mount Beauty, drive 1.1km northeast along the Kiewa Valley Highway and turn onto Tawonga Gap Road. Follow the sealed road 7.5km up the mountain to Tawonga Gap Lookout then turn south onto the dirt Tawonga Gap Track. Follow the track along the ridge, with spectacular views of Mount Bogong and Mount Buffalo from the saddle. Follow the signs to Simmonds Gap turning east onto the steep Big Flat Track and then turn left onto Dungey Track followed by Pyramid Hill Fire Track through to Simmons Creek Road back to Mount Beauty.

 

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BIG HILL LOOKOUT

Easy | 22km | 1.5hrs

This easy track takes you up to the summit of Big Hill (1,067m), which is the mountain that rises up from the south end of the township of Mount Beauty. From town, drive 5km east on the sealed Bogong High Plains Road and turn right at Crankie Charlie. Follow the signs to the West Kiewa Power Station along a good gravel road. After about 6km from Crankie Charlie, turn left to Big Hill Lookout, which has terrific views over the town of Mount Beauty, the Kiewa Valley, Mount Bogong and Mount Emu. Return along the same route.

PREPARE FOR ANYTHING

From snow to bushfires, floods and gale-force winds, the weather in the High Country can be fierce and change rapidly. Always check conditions before venturing out, ensure your equipment is working and carry adequate food, water and warm clothing. Importantly, download the VicEmergency and the Emergency Plus apps to your phone.

Notify someone of your plans before you set out. Many parts of the High Country have poor or no mobile phone coverage. Emergency beacons and satellite devices are recommended for your safety.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Our region is sensitive to human presence. We are privileged to have endangered animals such as platypus, pygmy possums and alpine dingoes surviving in our environment. Your behaviour has impacts our flora and fauna. Always stay on formed roads and paths and don't cut new lines. Protect our wildlife and the beauty of our environment by taking all rubbish with you.

Never light a fire on a Total Fire Ban day. When permitted to use fire, always extinguish your campfire completely before you leave. Enjoy our outdoors, and remember, leave no trace.

 

MOUNT McKAY

Easy | 13km return | 1hr

The drive up to Mount McKay (1,842m) – the highest mountain summit accessible by road in Australia – is a short but rewarding drive in the Alpine National Park near Falls Creek. The mountain summit is a popular sunset destination with views over the Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Rocky Valley Storage Dam, The Razorback and Mount Feathertop.

To get there from Falls Creek, drive south along the Bogong High Plains Road past Windy Corner then turn right onto Pretty Valley Road. Follow this dirt road until you reach a fork where you turn right up to Mount McKay. This drive is only possible during the green season when the snow has melted from the alps.

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MITTA MITTA LOOP

Easy | 106km | Full day

From Mount Beauty, drive north along the Kiewa Valley Highway to Tawonga and turn down Mountain Creek Road. The road soon turns to an easy dirt 4WD road up over the range through to Mitta Mitta where you can stop for lunch by the river or at the pub. From Mitta Mitta, take the Mitta N Road to Eskdale, then join the Omeo Highway briefly and exit onto Little Snowy Creek Road. Turn east onto Smythes Road, followed by Fluerty Track and Bowmans No.1 Track, then turn east onto Eskdale Spur Track. Turn south onto Bay Creek Track and follow it to the sealed Redbank Mongans Road back to Mount Beauty. Allow a full day.

OTHER EXPERIENCES YOU'LL LOVE

Falls Creek Coach Service

Falls Creek Coach Service is Falls Creek’s very own local transport provider. They are based in Mount Beauty at the base of Falls Creek and service Albury, Melbourne and everywhere in between. They provide scheduled mountain bus shuttles daily and private transfer services to get you exploring Falls Creek with ease.

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Women’s MTB Skills for Beginners in Mount Beauty

Their popular Women’s Specific MTB Skills Clinics are coming to Big Hill, Mt Beauty! The Beginner MTB Skills Clinics (three x two-hour sessions) run weekly for three weeks on Saturdays: May 4, 11, and 18, from 9am-11am. This course is female-led by an experienced and qualified MTB instructor, and is open to women only. This…

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Mt Bogong Snowshoe Tour

The winter ascent experience on Mount Bogong, Victoria’s highest peak, in the snow. This adventure is for bush walkers and hikers who are excited to see the high country in winter. You will cover around 16 kilometres and return via the Staircase Spur track to the summit. The tour begins at Mountain Creek Camp car…

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Mt Bogong Pack Horse Tour

Highest of High Country, featuring spectacular climbs and descents across the top of Victoria. Wild rivers, stunning views, secluded camps and diverse landscapes. The horses are a feature of this expedition, each of them our own bred and trained mountain horse, expertly matched to the rider. Each day the camp is packed up, loaded onto…

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Labour Day Long Weekend Escape – Bogong Horseback Adventures

Join Bogong Horseback Adventures three day Packhorse Adventure and experience a truly Australian experience. Get a little saddle grease on your trouser seat this Labour day long weekend. Travelling the High country with Packhorses provides a balance between our living heritage and modern adventures. This tour takes in Mount Fainter and Bogong Jacks Hideout. Its…

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Mt Fainter Pack Horse Tour

Showcasing the West Kiewa, Pretty Valley and Mount Fainter, this expedition includes high plains, heritage huts, brumby country, wild rivers, stunning views and secluded camps, our renowned horses and campfire meals. The horses are a feature of this expedition, each of them our own bred and trained mountain horse, expertly matched to the rider. Each…

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Daily Trail Rides

Bogong Horseback Adventures offer day rides in the heart of the High Country. Taking you to the mountain valleys of North East Victoria abound with colourful bird life, majestic views, lush pastures and a delightful climate. Experience horse riding the beautiful tracks of the Alpine National Park through tall mountain forests, fern gullies and river…

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New Years Eve Pack Horse Adventure

Welcome the New Year with an unforgettable experience. This Mount Bogong expedition features great landscapes, bush camps, spectacular riding terrain, great horses and local food and wine. Journey onto the High Country via East Kiewa and Timms Spur taking in the stunning views across to Mount Bogong before descending down Track 107 into the heritage…

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Australia Day Long Weekend – Bogong Horseback Adventures

Join Bogong Horseback Adventures three day Packhorse expedition and experience a truly Australian experience. Get a little saddle grease on your trouser seat this Australia day weekend. Travelling back in time leaving the 21st century behind as you ride into the belly of the clouds to the ‘mountain dreaming place’ the High country. Packhorses carrying…

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Pioneering the High Plains – Bogong Horseback Adventures

Step back into another time with a celebration of Australian heritage. Ride the High Plains on a journey to the Mittagundi Bush Dance and Pioneer Festival before climbing onto Mount Bogong, Victoria’s highest mountain. Pioneering the High Plains expedition takes you on a journey, through diverse landscapes, along a route that highlights the vertical scale,…

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