Great Alpine Road: 6-Day Campervan Adventure From Melbourne

Pick up your Britz camper in Melbourne and point it north for an easy freeway run to the gateway of the High Country. Today is about leaving the city pace behind and easing into country rhythms along broad valleys, river red gums, and tidy historic streets. Wangaratta makes an ideal first night, with leafy riversides and an easy-going food scene that hints at the produce to come.

Where to stop between Melbourne and Wangaratta

Stretch your legs in Benalla with a stroll past colourful street art and the serene lake. If time allows, continue to Glenrowan to explore the Ned Kelly story, then loop back to the Hume. 

Prefer heritage bakeries and wide verandas? Detour to Beechworth for a classic country pie and to browse preserved gold-rush streets before rejoining the highway toward Wangaratta.

Things to do in Wangaratta

Follow riverside paths under towering red gums, grab a table at a café overlooking the Ovens or King River, and sample regional cheeses and smallgoods. Cyclists can ride a short section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail for a gentle introduction to valley views. In the afternoon, wander the town’s gardens, then toast your first High Country sunset with a local drop.

Where to stay in Wangaratta

Park up at a campervan-friendly spot such as BIG4 Wangaratta North Cedars Holiday Park or Painters Island Holiday Park. Both offer powered sites, shade, and easy access to riverside walking and cycling.

The drive into the Ovens Valley is short and scenic, which leaves loads of time to get your alpine fix. Bright sits on the Ovens River beneath mountain ridges and is renowned for its grand deciduous trees that blaze with colour in autumn. With outdoor adventure in every direction, today is a highlight for hikers and view-chasers.

Where to stop between Wangaratta and Bright

Turn off toward Mount Buffalo National Park and climb to soaring granite country. Sheer cliffs drop away to deep valleys, and in summer the plateau blooms with wildflowers. 

Choose an easy lookout or stretch your legs on one of the park’s many walking tracks. Eurobin Falls offers a rewarding waterfall walk, while the Mount Buffalo Gorge precinct delivers jaw-dropping panoramas and a sense of the park’s scale. If you are picnicking, Lake Catani offers calm water, a bush setting, and a classic alpine atmosphere.

Things to do in Bright

In town, wander the riverside Canyon Walk, dip your toes in clear swimming holes, or grab a tasting paddle at the local brewery. 

Keen hikers can tackle nearby trails into pine forests and foothills, while food lovers sample farm gates and bakeries. In autumn, Bright’s avenues explode in reds and golds, and in summer, the river becomes the perfect place for a late-afternoon float.

Where to stay in Bright

Settle in at Bright Riverside Holiday Park for an easy walk-to-town base on the river. Another great option is Discovery Parks - Bright, which offers powered sites, shade, and quick access to valley trails.

 With only a short hop deeper into the mountains, day three is about slow travel and alpine immersion. Follow the Ovens River upstream, passing bush reserves and quiet bends, to reach Harrietville at the base of Mount Feathertop. This tiny high-country village is equal parts history and nature, with river access and trailheads close at hand.

Where to stop between Bright and Harrietville

Pull into Smoko for a riverside pause and mountain views. On arrival in Harrietville, wander the Tronoh Dredge Hole walking loop to find glassy water and forest reflections. Save time for a riverside picnic before checking in at camp.

Things to do in Harrietville

For a refreshing plunge, head to the swimming pontoon at the Tronoh Dredge Hole (locals call it Joop’s Jetty), a beloved spot that drops into deep, cool water. Hikers can seek out alpine terrain on the lower stretches of the Bungalow Spur or explore gentle heritage tracks that reveal the area’s gold-mining past. Evenings here are quiet, with crisp air, dark skies, and the sound of the river.

Where to stay in Harrietville

Harrietville Caravan Park sits by the river with powered sites and shady trees, perfect for an unhurried night in the hills. If you prefer a midway base closer to both Bright and Harrietville, Discovery Parks - Bright in Freeburgh offers powered sites beside the Ovens River

Today delivers the Great Alpine Road’s signature drama. From Harrietville, the road climbs through tall forest to reach the high ridgeline around Mount Hotham, the highest section of sealed road accessible year-round in Australia when conditions permit. Alpine vistas roll out in every direction, and in winter, this is prime skiing territory.

Where to stop between Harrietville and Omeo

Pause at lookouts near Hotham Heights for sweeping views across the ranges. If you are hiking in the warmer months, sample an alpine trail for a taste of Australia’s rooftop country, or plan a section of the challenging Bon Accord Spur walk if you are an experienced trekker. 

Continue through the snow gums to Dinner Plain for a village coffee and short boardwalks among frost-hardy woodland, then descend to Omeo along a winding road that reveals the first hints of East Gippsland’s open country.

Things to do in Omeo

Omeo is a gold-rush town with a frontier feel and a pretty position on Livingstone Creek. Stroll historic buildings and the riverside historic park, cast a line in local waters, or head for nearby hill trails and lookout points for big-sky sunsets. If you are keen on arts and crafts, small galleries and studios are found in nearby towns such as Swifts Creek.

Where to stay in Omeo

Omeo Holiday Park makes campervan life easy with powered and unpowered sites beside the creek. The grassy setting and easy walk into town are ideal after your big alpine day.

Goodbye high peaks, hello waterways. The Great Alpine Road unwinds through Swifts Creek and Bruthen before meeting the coastal flats. The air warms, the hills soften, and before long, you are in the realm of pelicans, fishing boats, and long beaches at Lakes Entrance.

Where to stop between Omeo and Lakes Entrance

Pause in Swifts Creek for coffee and a bakery treat, then continue to Bruthen for a short leg-stretch on the river. If time permits, detour to Buchan Caves Reserve for a guided tour through spectacular limestone chambers, then rejoin the highway toward the coast. Aim to arrive in Lakes Entrance early to make the most of golden hour on the water.

Things to do in Lakes Entrance

Walk the Cunninghame Arm footbridge to the ocean side and feel the power of Ninety Mile Beach, then retreat to the calm of the Gippsland Lakes for a kayak or stand-up paddle session in sheltered coves. Stroll foreshore paths, sample fresh seafood, or cycle a section of the local rail trail. Sunsets paint the water here, and the night sky makes a fine show from the campground.

Where to stay in Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance Tourist Park offers powered sites close to town with easy access to beaches, walking tracks, and fishing spots. It is a convenient and comfortable base for one last night of lakeside living.

The final leg carries you west along the Princes Highway through dairy country and river towns back to Melbourne. Leave early to keep the day relaxed and add a couple of quick stops if you want to savour the last of the journey. If you prefer to keep driving stints shorter, you can always break this leg with an extra night along the way.

Where to stop between Lakes Entrance and Melbourne

Stretch out at Sale with a wander along the wetlands boardwalks, then continue through the Latrobe Valley’s open landscapes.

If you have a little extra time, a short detour to the historic gold town of Walhalla rewards with forested hills and preserved streetscapes.

Roll into Melbourne in the afternoon, and celebrate the end of the loop with a laneway coffee, a riverfront walk, or a quick gallery visit if you have the time. Otherwise, you can head over to the Melbourne branch for a smooth handover and end your trip with a head full of Alpine memories.

FAQs and quick answers

1. What is the Great Alpine Road like?
   The Great Alpine Road is one of Victoria’s standout touring drives, linking vineyards, alpine villages, high mountain scenery and the Gippsland Lakes. It is scenic, fully sealed and changes character dramatically along the way, from valley towns and forests to exposed high-country ridgelines and coastal waterways.

2. Is the Great Alpine Road sealed?
   Yes,  it is a sealed road throughout and is promoted as Australia’s highest year-round accessible sealed road.

3. Do you need chains on the Great Alpine Road?
   Not for the whole road year-round, but if you are entering Mount Hotham during the declared winter period, it is a legal requirement to carry diamond-pattern snow chains. You may also be directed to fit them depending on conditions.

4. Is the Great Alpine Road suitable for caravans?
   Generally, yes — the road is sealed and commonly used by campervans and touring vehicles. 

That said, the alpine section between Bright, Mount Hotham and Omeo is steep and winding, so caravans and larger rigs are best handled by confident drivers who are comfortable in mountain conditions, especially in winter. The route itself is well-suited to campervans because it is fully sealed.

Explore the Great Alpine Road with a campervan road trip

This Great Alpine Road loop distills Victoria’s best contrasts into a week of easy driving and high-impact scenery. From Bright’s fiery canopies and Mount Buffalo’s granite ramparts to Hotham’s high-country views and the gentle waters of the Gippsland Lakes, every day balances short drives with long rewards. Adventurers can hike ridgelines or dip in river holes, skiers can carve in season, and food lovers can graze on regional produce along the way. With campervan-friendly holiday parks at each stop, you will spend less time unpacking and more time exploring under big skies. When you are ready, you can easily book your Britz camper online and pick it up from Melbourne or your closest Britz branch before hitting the road.