Gippsland's Great Alpine Road this Summer

Gippsland's Great Alpine Road this Summer

Visitors can escape the heat of the city this summer and breathe in the fresh, mountain air with a visit to Gippsland's Great Alpine Road. The majestic 308-kilometre touring route weaves its way from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale through the picturesque villages of Metung, Bruthen, Omeo, Dinner Plain and Bright and takes in lofty mountains, plunging valleys, lush forests and rolling vineyards along the way. Visitors can dine on fresh local produce, sample regional varietals, catch lunch by throwing a line in a mountain stream and choose from a great range of invigorating outdoor activities and accommodation options. The Great Alpine Road is also Australia's highest year-round accessible sealed road; perfect for active travellers with scenic route options for riding, climbing and cycling to be found in every direction.

 www.greatalpineroad.com.au

The Great Alpine Road is a gourmand's paradise, with craft breweries (Bright Brewery, Bullant Brewery) and award winning restaurants (Tani Eat & Drink, Simone's), to an Italian cooking school (Patrizia Simone's), chocolatier (Bright Chocolate), and family owned wineries (Ensay Winery & Vineyard). Luxury B&Bs nestled in forests can be found here, such as The Buckland and The Kilns, as well as historic hotels (The Golden Age Hotel) and the spectacularly secluded Blue Duck Inn alpine retreat.

The outdoors has plenty in store over the summer months, from cycling the East Gippsland Rail Trail and exciting two wheeled adventures with Snowy River Cycling to exploratory journeys into the Buchan Caves. Dinner Plain, a popular ski resort in the winter months has plenty on offer throughout summer including a host of spectacularly scenic mountain biking and hiking tracks.

Visitors will pass through small towns such as Omeo and Bruthen that prospered during Gippsland's Gold Rush and can cast a line into the nearby rivers.  The Great Alpine Road ends at popular holiday destination, Metung, where visitors can hire a cruiser and yacht (Rivera Nautic) and navigate the Great Lakes, or relax on the waterfront, enjoy some leisurely fishing, and spot the special breed of Gippsland dolphins. Perched on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach, nearby Lakes Entrance is an ideal destination during summer with its endless array of fishing and boating activities, fresh seafood and beachside accommodation options.

For more information about the Great Alpine Road visit: www.greatalpineroad.com.au.

For more information about Gippsland tourism, visit: www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au.