High Country

Snowboarding at Alpine National Park, High Country, Vic. Photo credit: Tourism Victoria

High Country

There are two High Countries. One is the great outdoors of lakes and mountains, skiing and vineyards. The other was home to one of Australia’s most celebrated yet divisive residents: Ned Kelly.

The Victorian Alps are part of the mighty Great Dividing Range (which runs along the east coast from Queensland to Victoria). They’re worth visiting at any time of year, for snow sports in winter, and walking and cycling in summer.

Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
This 100km rail route is the ideal way to discover the region. Stops at the popular tourist destinations of Wangaratta, Beechworth and Bright make this an easy way to get to the heart of the High Country.

The Great Alpine Road
This lesser known cousin of the Great Ocean Road makes for an incredible drive. On the 308km between Wangaratta and Bairnsdale you’ll pass forests, mountains, valleys, and vineyards, and whether you’re in the car, on your bike or on foot, it’s a spectacular journey.

The Alpine National Park
Victoria’s largest park (over 640,000 hectares) has ten of the state’s eleven highest peaks. It’s hugely popular with Australians eager to hit the ski slopes. But the walking, mountain-biking, fishing, paragliding and horse-riding bring plenty of visitors when there’s no snow on the ground.

Mount Hotham and Falls Creek resorts are both within the park.

Towns of the High Country

The towns of the High Country are your chance to explore everyday life in Victoria. They’re good bases, and there’s enough local history (not all of it about Ned Kelly) to eat up a day or two. Here are some of our favourites:

Benalla
The Costume and Pioneer Museum showcases an odd mix of Ned Kelly relics and women’s clothing from as far back as 1770. As far as we can tell, the two are unrelated.

Glenrowan
This was the site of Kelly’s last stand. There’s a stone monument commemorating the Kelly Gang’s attempt to derail a train, although visiting the specific spot is discouraged as it’s dangerous. If you’re in search of all things Kelly, try Kate’s Cottage and Ned Kelly Memorial for a replica of the Kelly family home.

Wangaratta
This place comes alive during the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz (there’s not much here otherwise). The festival takes place over four days, beginning the Friday before the Melbourne Cup (either the last weekend in October or the first in November).

Beechworth
Beechworth is an attractive and popular town, full of historic buildings and with a rich (literally) gold-mining history. Beechworth Gaol, where Ned Kelly and his mother were held before their trial, holds daily tours. It’s a bit on the pricey side, though.

If you have a sweet tooth, you’re well catered for. Beechworth Sweet Company sells old-fashioned sweets and quality chocolates. The Beechworth Honey Experience Centre is, as far as we can tell, Australia’s only museum devoted to the history of honey and bee-keeping. The tours are free.

Beechworth is also a good base for visiting the mountains and driving the 5km Gorge Scenic Drive.

Bright
Bright makes a good base for outdoor activities at Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham, and Falls Creek.

It’s in the most beautiful setting (you should see it in autumn) yet is on the Great Alpine Road so it’s easily accessible. An ideal spot for relaxing after a day on the slopes.

6km to the south is the National Trust classified town of Wandiligong, site of a small gold rush in the 1850s. The valley walks give you a chance to appreciate the beautiful scenery and the history of the area. It’s easily worth a day of your schedule.

Mansfield
Australia’s biggest ski resort is Mount Buller and Mansfield is the main base for those heading to the slopes. As a result it gets quite crowded and can be a bit touristy.

In the summer, the water sports at nearby Lake Eildon and Nillahcootie offer plenty of ways to help you cool off.

Milawa
Milawa is famous for the local produce you’ll find used in its restaurants. Not for nothing is it known as ‘Gourmet Area’.

Porepunkah
The gateway to Mount Buffalo has scenic flights available from the Porepunkah airfield.

Merrijig
If you want to visit Mount Buller free from the crowds at Mansfield, this is your place. The alpine scenery is stunning but be warned: there’s no petrol here, so plan ahead.

Explore Victoria’s tourist attractions
Find backpackers’ accommodation in Victoria
Hire a car in Australia

Victoria

The iron outlaw

Born in 1855, Ned Kelly’s first clash with the Victoria Police came in 1878. When a Constable Fitzpatrick was shot at, the police launched a search for Kelly, despite his being in New South Wales at the time. His mother was later sentenced to three years imprisonment for the crime.

There was no such alibi for Kelly later in 1878 when he shot three policemen, then robbed two banks. He and his gang were proclaimed outlaws.

Police finally cornered Kelly at Glenrowan on 28 June 1880. His homemade metal armour and helmet were initially effective against the police gunfire – until police decided to aim at his unshielded legs.

Kelly was captured. Convicted of three counts of murder, he was hanged at Old Melbourne Gaol on 11 November 1880. A petition bearing thousands of signatures was not enough to spare his life. But his daring, notoriety and republican ideals made him an iconic, if controversial figure in Australian history.