Weekend Adventure Itinerary
It’s a place so beautiful, it inspired a name: Mount Beauty, tucked in a river valley at the foot of Mount Bogong—Victoria’s highest mountain. A Shangri-La where the locals ski all winter and mountain bike summer long. A place where you’ll not only find endless adventure, but immense serenity and relaxation. Strap yourself in folks, and let’s begin!
Itinerary Highlights
- Summit Victoria’s Highest Mountain—Mount Bogong, at 1,986m high—with an expert guide, or ski the slopes of Falls Creek.
- Live like the mountain cattlemen of old on a horseback ride through the Kiewa Valley.
- Walk along a river canyon and cool off in its crystal-clear mountain waters.
- Feel your muscles melt off the bone inside a soothing traditional sauna.
- Taste our delicious local craft brews, Alpine Valley wines and locally roasted coffee.
- Treat yourself to fresh, locally grown produce at our eateries and stores.
Tip: We recommend starting this itinerary on a Thursday or Friday for a full availability of adventures and services.
DAY ONE
Your Afternoon Entrée
12.00 pm - Get Orientated
Hit the road early, taking Happy Valley Road across to the Kiewa Valley and south to Mount Beauty, which sits at the base of the unmissable Mount Bogong, Victoria's highest mountain. Stop for breakfast at a cafe in Tawonga or Mount Beauty.
2:00 pm - Afternoon Horseback Ride
It’s time for your first adventure—a horse ride along an old stock route that traverses the valley and crosses the East Branch of the Kiewa River. This tour is perfect for beginners. Your expert guide, Lin Baird, will teach you how to control your horse and master some basic riding skills. Allow 3-hours for briefings, mounting, your 2-hour ride and stabling.
Bogong Horseback Adventure
5:15 pm - Check-in
After your ride, make your way to your accommodation and freshen up.
6:30 pm - Apéritif
Taste some local drops at the inviting Quaff Wine Bar in the centre of town. Our region produces an amazing range of award-winning wines. Pair these with a delicious charcuterie board featuring Mount Beauty butcher Farm to Fork’s finest cured meats alongside a range of delicious cheeses. Make sure to head up stairs to browse the take-home collection of wines.
7:30 pm - Dinner
Cross the road to Mountain Monk Brewers for a hearty pub feed and to taste its tasty range of craft beers brewed on site. From Larger and IPA to Raspberry Sour and Dark Ale, Mountain Monk’s playful mix of traditional and innovative beers will keep your mouth entertained all night.
DAY TWO
Summit & Sauna
7:00 am - Mount Bogong Ascent
Get ready for the hike of a lifetime. The view from the top of Mount Bogong (1,986m above sea level). Meet your cheerful guide Macca from Falls Creek Guides at The Staircase trailhead within the Alpine National Park. From here, you’ll be transferred by 4WD to the start of the Eskdale Spur Trail. It’s a steep 6km hike to the summit along Eskdale Spur, taking about 3.5-5 hours. The return hike takes up to 8-hours and the tour includes lunch, snacks and expert guidance. Please bring plenty of drinking water.
5:00 pm - Recovery Sauna & Ice Plunge
Your muscles will thank you for this! After a rest back at your accommodation, head to The Sanctuary, where your host Mimi will guide you to the traditional sauna complete with an ice plunge pool. The Sanctuary is a creative space of small studios, including Wildflower Pilates, that are tucked away behind Tawonga Baker. The sauna is available for private, shared, or group bookings for up to four people. Make sure to drink plenty of water!
6:30 pm - Apéritif
Now that your body is fully awake, it’s time to celebrate your summit achievement! Crank Handle is a small brewery with a tantalising collection of craft beers, including traditional lager, ale and pale ale as well as rice ale, milk stout, sours and barrel-aged Belgian brown. The curly fries are pretty yum too!
7:30 pm - Dinner
Just a skip down the road is local favourite Grass Valley, an eatery and bar that serves a delectable menu of seasonal tastes, like slow roasted lamb shoulder or crispy skin trout with sides like pumpkin with whipped ricotta, burnt butter, sage and pine nuts. Can’t choose? Go for the $65 ‘Let Us Feed You’ option.
DAY THREE
Recovery Mode
8:30 am - Breakfast
Let’s take it easy today. Spoil yourself with a cooked breakfast and a great coffee in the garden of Rocky Valley Cafe. Pssst… you’ll probably want to take a peek inside at their outdoor gear and bike shop, too!
10:00 am - Check-out
Oh! It’s time to head back to your accommodation, pack up and hand in the keys. We totally understand if your not ready to head off just yet!
10:30 am - Morning Swim on The Gorge Walk
Pack a picnic lunch and be prepared to get wet—this isn’t your ordinary bushwalk. Wear your swimmers and if you have river shoes and a wet sack, bring them along. Start at the Big Hill MTB Park (at the southern end of Mount Beauty on Bogong High Plains Road) where you’ll find a carpark and amenities, including a gas BBQ. The first part of this adventure is an easy 2km walk that follows the river to a small gorge. The final 150 metres criss-crosses the West Branch of the Kiewa River four times, so you’ll be walking in the water. At its end, you’ll enter a beautiful canyon deep enough for a tranquil swim. Allow half-an-hour each way for walking plus additional time for swimming and a picnic.
Important: You must be able to swim to enter the river. Be river wise and do not enter the water after heavy rain, or in the winter months when the water is high, fast and cold. If in doubt, visit the Mount Beauty Visitor Information Centre for more information.
This is a four kilometres-return walk from the town of Mt Beauty, tracing the eastern bank of the lovely Kiewa River.
This sealed walk path follows the Kiewa River (west branch) as it threads through the north end of the lovely town of Mount Beauty in the Happy Valley region.
The walk trail begins just off the main Highway into town, but the scenery certainly improves as you pass farmland, shady groves, happy riverside campers (in warmer months) and then arrive at the inviting Pebble Beach area for a swim, if you fancy.
Pack your swimwear and some water shoes if the weather is warm, as the rocks are very slippery (and can be pointy and uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet).
When you approach the beach area the path splits – stay left and follow the river.
The ‘beach’ is really a calmer section of the river that opens up a little, though the current can still whistle along and there are smaller rapids to the north and south.
Currents can be quite strong (especially after rain). Always check conditions and it is not advisable for children or weaker swimmers (and never swim alone).
There are no toilets along the route.
Enjoy a coffee, breakfast or lunch in the unique garden setting. There is no better place to relax after a long ride or while having your bike serviced.
Offering something special everyday, you’ll find their everyday classics on Monday and Tuesday, full lunch menu from Wednesday to Sunday and cooked breakfasts Friday to Sunday. Open seven days a week we are sure you will find a treat you will enjoy.
Offering the best coffee in town and friendly service, they have local knowledge of the best riding places and would love to know your favourite place to explore.
The Park Mount Beauty is situated in the heart of the beautiful Kiewa Valley, North East Victoria. It is ideally located on the banks of the Kiewa River only a short stroll to the town’s centre , supermarket, and shops. Cafes, hotel, bike and ski hire, take-away shops, newsagent, milk bar, post office, and bus station are all within 200 metres.
Whether you are a family looking for a relaxing holiday, a couple seeking a romantic riverside weekend, or a group looking for an exciting outdoor adventure, The Park has something for you.
The Park is proudly family run and they have been committed to providing quality accommodation and camping since 1998. They continually strive to enhance the visitor experience.
The Park offers pets to stay by appointment only. Pets are not permitted in any accommodation or buildings. Exclusion periods and pet policy apply.
Bogong Horseback Adventures has been running award-winning tours since 1986. With licensed access to the Alpine National Park and Mount Bogong, the riding landscape is truly spectacular.
Based at our property Spring Spur, Bogong Horseback Adventures travel from rich mountain valleys to the vast Bogong High Plains and Victoria’s highest mountain, Mount Bogong. The award-winning tours combine great food and wine, fantastic mountain-bred horses, and friendly, experienced staff.
Offering daily trail rides in the Alpine National Park, as well as spectacular multi-day packhorse expeditions into the Victorian High Country.
Breeding and training Australian Stock Horses, Bogong Horseback Adventures have a program of clinics and workshops in Australian Horsemanship, offering insights into the traditions of mountain horse lore, natural horsemanship, and the skills of bush riding, camping with horses and using packhorses.
Nestled into the base of Mount Bogong, lies the picturesque township of Mount Beauty. In 2017, after being closed for two years, Mount Beauty’s local watering hole reopened its doors as West Peak Hotel. They wanted to create something more to really put their beautiful town on the map.
With a passion for craft beer, in 2022, they decided to open up a 1,000-liter brewery on-site, utilising the region’s crystal clear mountain water and quality produce to make some delicious beer.
With more than ten beer varieties and award-winning food on offer, Mountain Monk Brewers has become a destination of their own. The family-owned business is the only accredited fully-veteran-owned brewery in Australia.
Crank Handle Brewery is located in Tawonga South (Mount Beauty) and situated at the base of Mt Bogong in the beautiful Kiewa valley in North East Victoria.
Crank Handle Brewery serve a range of traditional, brewed onsite hand crafted beers and delicious food created from locally sourced ingredients where possible. They also have 12 beers on tap all made on site, and the soft, fresh mountain water provides crisp notes to their beers. Enjoy an ale, enjoy a chat and enjoy the best that the valley has to offer.
Situated right in the heart of Mount Beauty, Quaff Wine Bar is all about the fantastic local wines that make this area special. They’re here to keep it simple – showcasing awesome wines and creating a laid-back hangout for both locals and visitors. No frills, just good drinks, good vibes, and a great time. They’re also serving coffee from 2:30pm until closing and plating up amazing local produce to snack on.
Discover The Sanctuary, a unique wellness experience in the heart of Tawonga South, just minutes from Mount Beauty. Located at Wildflower Pilates, the sauna and ice plunge sessions are designed to rejuvenate your body and mind in a serene alpine setting.
Relax in the soothing heat of the sauna, invigorate your senses with a refreshing ice plunge and emerge feeling refreshed, revitalised and ready for your next adventure. Perfect for recovery after outdoor activities like hiking or cycling, or simply as a peaceful wellness ritual. Embrace the healing power of heat and cold therapy while enjoying the tranquil beauty of the Victorian High Country.
Experience the sauna and ice plunge to boost recovery, circulation, and mental clarity.
Private or shared sessions available. Try a Wellness Package, ideal for those seeking regular relaxation and rejuvenation. Book online via the website to secure your session.