# Victorian High Country and Yarra Valley

> 5-day road trip of about 537 km (333 mi) with 11 stops, from Melbourne to Mount Hotham and the Great Alpine Road. About 5 h 51 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/au-victorian-high-country/

**At a glance:** 5-day road trip of about 537 km (333 mi) with 11 stops, from Melbourne to Mount Hotham and the Great Alpine Road. About 5 h 51 min of driving in total. Wineries in the Yarra Valley, the Black Spur to Mount Buller, Kelly country and Beechworth, then the Alps around Bright, Mount Buffalo and Falls Creek.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 537 km (333 mi) |
| Driving | 5 h 51 min |
| Suggested days | 5 |
| Stops | 11 |
| Route | Melbourne → Mount Hotham and the Great Alpine Road |
| States | Victoria |
| Updated | May 3, 2026 |

## Route description

Day one: leave Melbourne for the Yarra Valley, about 55 km and an hour to Yering Station, for tastings of cool-climate wines. Drive on to Healesville, then climb the Maroondah Highway over the forested Black Spur toward Mansfield, about 110 km from Healesville. Fog and bends are common, so keep to the speed limit and watch for wildlife at dusk.

Day two: from Mansfield, drive the 45 km up to Mount Buller for walks and views, noting that snow chains must be carried from June to October. Then head north-east on the Midland Highway through Benalla to Glenrowan, about 90 km, for the Big Ned Kelly, finishing in Rutherglen, 50 km further, to taste fortified wines.

Day three: drive about 40 km to Beechworth for its preserved gold-rush streets, then continue roughly 70 km to Bright. Spend the afternoon walking by the Ovens River or driving to Mount Buffalo National Park, about 35 km from Bright, where lookouts and short tracks reward the climb. Autumn colours in Bright are famous in late April and May.

Days four and five: choose your alpine climb. Mount Hotham via the Great Alpine Road is about 65 km from Bright, while Falls Creek is roughly 75 km via Tawonga Gap and Mount Beauty. Then return to Melbourne, about 4 h 30 min. Roads are sealed, but winter requires snow chains and checking conditions; summer brings wildflowers and cool air.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Melbourne** (Victoria)
2. **Yering Station** (Yarra Glen, Victoria): The site of Victoria's first vineyard, planted in 1838, now a winery with a cellar door and restaurant. A good first stop for tasting Yarra Valley chardonnay and pinot noir.
3. **Healesville** (Victoria)
4. **Mount Buller** (Mansfield, Victoria): Victoria's most accessible alpine resort, about 3 hours from Melbourne. It is a ski area in winter and a base for mountain walks and bike trails in summer. Carry snow chains from June to October when entering the resort.
5. **Big Ned Kelly, Glenrowan** (Glenrowan, Victoria): A giant sculpture of the bushranger in his homemade armour marks Glenrowan, where the Kelly Gang made its last stand in 1880. A quick, quirky stop beside the Hume Freeway route.
6. **Rutherglen** (Victoria)
7. **Beechworth Historic Precinct** (Beechworth, Victoria): A well-preserved 1850s gold-rush town with granite buildings, including the courthouse where bushranger Ned Kelly appeared. A good lunch stop with bakeries and local honey.
8. **Bright** (Victoria)
9. **Mount Buffalo National Park** (Bright, Victoria): A granite plateau above Porepunkah with waterfalls, tors and wide lookouts such as The Horn. Snow can close the access road in winter, and wildflowers are best in late spring and summer.
10. **Falls Creek and Bogong High Plains** (Falls Creek, Victoria): An alpine village on the Bogong High Plains, with snow gums, huts and long views. In winter it is a major ski area; in summer wildflowers carpet the plains and trails lead to Victoria's highest peaks.
11. **Mount Hotham and the Great Alpine Road** (Mount Hotham, Victoria): The Great Alpine Road crosses the Alps here at about 1750 m, linking Bright and Omeo. Snow chains must be carried in winter, and the road can close in storms. Summer brings walking and cool air.

## Suggested stages and overnight stops

1. **Day 1: Melbourne → Healesville** (62 km, 0 h 41 min) On the way: Yering Station.
2. **Day 2: Healesville → Mount Buller** (119 km, 1 h 18 min)
3. **Day 3: Mount Buller → Rutherglen** (154 km, 1 h 41 min) On the way: Big Ned Kelly, Glenrowan.
4. **Day 4: Rutherglen → Bright** (105 km, 1 h 09 min) On the way: Beechworth Historic Precinct.
5. **Day 5: Bright → Mount Hotham and the Great Alpine Road** (96 km, 1 h 03 min) On the way: Mount Buffalo National Park, Falls Creek and Bogong High Plains.

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually November–March. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Victorian High Country and Yarra Valley?**
5-day road trip of about 537 km (333 mi) with 11 stops, from Melbourne to Mount Hotham and the Great Alpine Road. About 5 h 51 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Victorian High Country and Yarra Valley?**
We suggest 5 days: about 5 h 51 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Victorian High Country and Yarra Valley start and end?**
It starts in Melbourne and ends in Mount Hotham and the Great Alpine Road.

**Which states does Victorian High Country and Yarra Valley pass through?**
Victoria.

**When is the best time for Victorian High Country and Yarra Valley?**
The most pleasant months are usually November–March. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)