Tourist Information and Local Activities
The Alpine Discovery Centre is located on Bogong High Plains Road. They can fill you in on local mountain-bike hire (a very popular summertime activity), the daily coach service which operates to Falls Creek in the ski season (from the Queen's Birthday weekend in June to the long weekend in October), horseriding, canoeing, hang-gliding, fishing, swimming, bush walking, camping, abseiling, ski touring, sailing, picnicking, 4WD tours, golfing and the local three-pool swimming complex with spa and sauna. For general information ring (03) 5754 1962. For accommodation and other bookings ring (free-call) 1800 11 885. The centre also has a display of historical material relating to the area.
For those seeking information relating specifically to the Bogong section of Alpine National Park, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment have a small office on the highway, tel: (03) 5754 4693. Alternatively, ring the Bright office on (03) 5755 1577 or Parks Victoria on 131 963.
Mt Beauty Holding Pondage
Mt Beauty Holding Pondage, created as part of the hydro-electric scheme, is now a popular spot for fishing and watersports. There are picnic, barbecue and childrens' play facilities and a boat ramp.
Go Karting and Rock Climbing Indoors
Go Karting and Rock Climbing Indoors are located on the highway at Mt Beauty, tel: (03) 5754 1077.
Sandstone Galleries
Sandstone Galleries are at 181-183 Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga. They have a selection of fine art and regular exhibitions and are open weekends and school holidays from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. or by appointment, tel: (03) 5754 1375.
Bogong High Plains Rd
The Bogong High Plains Rd, from Mt Beauty south to Falls Creek, is narrow, winding but spectacularly scenic, traversing some of the most elevated terrain in the state. Those wishing to drive along the road in the ski season are required by law to carry driving chains. The road is closed in winter between Falls Creek and Omeo.
Big Hill Lookout
5 km south of Mt Beauty is a turnoff on the right to West Kiewa Power Station. 2 km along this road there is another turnoff on the left which leads, after a further 6 km, to Big Hill Lookout (1067 m).
Bogong Alpine Village
10 km from Mt Beauty is a lookout area known as View Point. Another kilometre takes you past Clover Dam and Clover Power Station (attempts are currently being made to reopen Clover Flat Arboretum).
Bogong Alpine Village is 14 km south of Mt Beauty. Like Mt Beauty it was created as an accommodation centre for workers on the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme and is now a holiday accommodation centre. Like Mt Beauty, it has its own pondage - Lake Guy, where fishing and boating can be pursued (there is a boat ramp). There is a very enjoyable walk around the lake (2 km) which passes through a tunnel in the weir wall and there is a picnic-barbecue area with an information board outlining other bush walks.
Bogong is a beautifully landscaped town with fine gardens established by the State Electricity Commission. For a gold-coin donation you can go on a garden walk. If you are interested contact the general-store-cum-cafe/restaurant (Bogong Jack's Tavern) on the main road which also functions as an information and booking centre, tel: (03) 5754 1131. They can advise you how to best enjoy the local fishing, canoeing, horseriding, tennis and mountain biking.
Tawonga Gap
There is a rocky picnic and barbecue area at Tawonga Gap which affords fantastic views of the lush green Kiewa Valley and Mt Bogong. Head north along the Kiewa Valley Highway for 3 km then take the Bright turnoff on the left and it is 8 km to the Gap.
Mountain Creek Camping Area and Walks
Mountain Creek Rd heads east off the highway at the Bogong Hotel in Tawonga. It is 10.5 km to the Mountain Creek Picnic and Camping Area which is located at the base of Mt Bogong. As such it is the starting point for the Conquestathon Fun Walk to the top of the mountain on the Sunday of the March long weekend.
For those with more immediate and less ambitious wishes there are four shorter walks associated with the area. Follow the main road across the bridge over the creek and there are signposts indicating the starting points of two different walks. To the left is the start of the Shady Gully Walk (500 m) which meanders westwards alongside the fern-lined bank of the creek. On the right is the Tree Fern Walk (2 km) which heads east along the creek before crossing a footbridge and meeting up with the Mountain Creek 4WD track. At this point you can return to the picnic area via the 4WD track or continue eastwards along what is known as the Black Cockatoo Walk after the birds which excavate holes in the tree trunks hereabouts in search of moth larvae. This trail also rejoins the 4WD track which will return you to the picnic area
The last trail is the Peppermint Walk. Follow the aforementioned 4WD track, which heads east from the picnic area, for 1 km to the 'Peppermint Walk' signpost. This trail, marked by orange triangles, forms a semicircle on the southern side of the 4WD track. It meanders through a peppermint forest to a management vehicle track which leads to a ferny creek and back to the picnic area. Watch out for kangaroos and wallabies.
Trappers Gap Road
After Mountain Creek Rd crosses over the bridge it swings to the north. From this point it is known as Trappers Gap Rd, a dry-weather thoroughfare which heads north-east, linking up with Mitta Mitta on the Omeo Highway (50 km). This pack track was created by cattle workers who drove their livestock from the Mitta Valley to the higher country in the summer months.
Horseriding
Bogong Horseback Adventures offer trail rides in the national park in summer and all-year riding in the Kiewa Valley. They operate out of their farm, 4 km east of Tawonga along Mountain Creek Rd, tel: (03) 5757 2849.
Activities
Roadknights High Country Guides offer day tours of the alpine country with naturalist guides, mountain biking, walking, 4WD tours, mini-bus tours, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, tel: (03) 5757 2257. Bogong Jack Adventures offer nordic ski instruction and touring, snowshoeing, cycling, fishing, walking, horseriding and 4WD tours, tel: (03) 5721 2564. Pyle's Coaches also run 4WD tours out of the ski season, tel: (03) 5754 4024.
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.