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Plan an Alpine summer holiday in Gippsland for 2021/22

Fresh mountain air, explore twisty rivers, shady forests and welcoming alpine villages.

By news@gippsland - 25th November 2021 - Back to News

If beach-going crowds and sand between your toes is not your thing, plan an alpine escape for summer. Breathe in fresh mountain air, explore twisty rivers, shady forests and welcoming alpine villages.

Small village of Omeo
Dargo
Buchan
Erica and Rawson
Licola

Visit during the warmer months when wildflowers bloom in the mountains and you can enjoy cooler temperatures than major cities. There is a rich Aboriginal and European history to learn about, a vast array of nature experiences, fresh mountain air, walking trails and time to sit quietly and absorb the peace of the Australian Alps.

Feed your wanderlust with Insta-ready buildings and streetscapes, ablaze with a heady mix of colours in autumn - crimson, burnt orange and golden peach

Locations to visit

Locations you can visit and see this summer includes:

Cool off in the Thomson River (there's a great swimming spot just under the bridge into Walhalla)
Beat the heat underground with a tour through the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine
Feel the wind on your face as you ride the heritage train Walhalla Goldfields Railway along Stringers Creek Gorge
Walhalla is a hotspot for 4x4 with stunning mountainous valleys waiting to be explored

Surrounded by forest and national park, it's no surprise the town is a stepping off point for camping, fishing and 4x4 enthusiasts. To find out more, visit Walhalla.

A place of proud cattlemen, impressively rich farmland, and see-it-to-believe-it mountainous views

Small village of Omeo

The wide, relaxed verandahs at the Golden Age Hotel are practically begging for a beer to be enjoyed. Paddle in Livingstone Creek to cool off or land a rainbow or brown trout in crystal clear mountain rivers, including the Mitta Mitta, Morass and Gibbo. Pack a picnic and head for the impressive suspension bridge at Taylors Crossing. It's an excellent spot for camping, fishing, canoeing and swimming or pop a few snags on the barbie.

The small villages of Omeo and Benambra are among Victoria's most remote communities. Lush, pastured hills surround the towns, which are set on a small plain, on the doorstep of the Alpine National Park and ski fields of Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain. To discover more, visit Omeo and Benambra.

Dargo

Wedged between foothills of the Victorian Alps and the majestic Alpine National Park, Dargo is an unpretentious town bursting with rustic charm.

Enjoy a cold one at the iconic Dargo Pub at the end of an adventurous day
Explore the Alpine National Park for hikes and camping
Get your man from Snowy River on, and explore Victoria's high country on horseback with Coonawarra Trail Rides

Dargo Heritage Museum is also open by request, and displays artifacts and photographs that trace the town's early pioneering days, through gold era heritage to high country cattlemen. Visit Dargo for more discovery of amazing places.

One of the most remote communities in Victoria, there is space to breathe in Dargo; it truly feels away from it all

Buchan

As one of Victoria's oldest towns, Buchan commands respect. This tight-knit community - somewhat remote from major towns - has their own way of doing things.

Buchan Caves are a constant 17 degrees year-round. Join a tour of the intricate caverns of Royal or Fairy Cave exploring the 400 million year old caves
The Buchan Caves Hotel, with rustic outdoor beer garden, serves hearty meals with live music most weekends
Explore Snowy River National Park's gems including Little Gorge, Victoria's deepest gorge and the lovely Raymond Creek Falls

Outside, weathered timber and corrugated iron walls are a nod to the former pub's heritage and creates an inviting nook to enjoy a cold one. To find out more, visit Buchan website.

The town is nestled at the meeting point of the Snowy and Buchan Rivers, and is best known as the home of the fantasyland that is Buchan Caves

Erica and Rawson

The splendour of the Baw Baw National Park extends to the mountainous towns of Erica and Rawson.

Unwind in the tranquility of the Australian bush. Rawson Caravan Park is perfect for RVs, and Erica Caravan Park boasts cosy outdoor areas with fire pits to keep the atmosphere going into the night
The Thomson River is your swimming pool, and playground for rafting, canoeing and kayaking
Head to the Erica Mountain Bike Park where fateful names like "Axeman", "Scream" and "Crazy Snake" await thrill-seekers at this network of trails for all levels.

If you're hitting the slopes of Mt Baw Baw or taking to the trails of Mt St Gwinear in winter, you can hire ski gear and toboggans in Erica. To find out more, visit Erica and Rawson website.

With national parks and an abundance of walks and on the doorstep, these towns make a great base for getting in touch with your nature-loving adventure side

Licola

Licola is a remote alpine town, and gateway to world-class national parks and outdoor adventure.

The Macalister and Caledonia Rivers make trout fishing dreams come true and provide excellent rafting, kayaking and canoeing
Follow in the footsteps (and horse hooves) of the high country cattlemen with Snowy Range Horseback Tours and discover cattlemen's huts, high plains and gorges
You can cool off swimming at the Macalister Gorge Scenic Reserve, also a great spot for camping

The best ways to experience the Alpine National Park from Licola is hiking to the summit of Mt Howitt, part of the Australian Alps Walking Track or a visit to "the hidden lake" of Tali Karng, a stunningly beautiful place steeped in Dreamtime legend. To find out more, visit Licola web page .