Heading to the hills of the High Country? Well, here’s what Australia’s premium alpine region has to offer the keen four-wheel driver!

WORDS BY MICHAEL BORG 

A 4WD is without a doubt the best way to experience this offroad haven. Afterall, the Victorian High Country would have to be one of the most scenic destinations in Australia, especially if you don’t mind a little bit of low range action. If hardcore 4WDing isn’t your thing, don’t worry, there’s plenty of sights to be seen that don’t involve white knuckled low range touring. There are freshwater river streams like you’ve never seen before, a climate that can really turn it up a notch and more history and quirky facts than Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. So, sit down, grab yourself a cold beer and put your feet up as we bring you your exclusive guide to the best of the Victorian High Country!

GET DOWN TO DARGO 

Quite often called the heart of the High Country, no trip to this region is complete without a lengthy stay at the little, yet well-known town of Dargo. It’s surrounded by towering mountains and lies about 4-5 hours east of Melbourne. Plus, it’s central to some of the best parts of the High Country too. Rafting, 4wding, fishing and canoeing are all relatively close by, and the area is a prized location among horse riders and bush walkers.

The hotel itself is a classic old school country pub, complete with photos of trackside 4WD failures plastered all over the pub walls. The food’s great, and the beer is cold. They’ll even cater for events and offer several well-maintained cabins if you want to pamper yourself a little (not a bad idea if the weather plays havoc). 

HUTS OF THE HILLS

You’ll find old mountain cattleman huts are spread all over the High Country, and they’re filled with history and adventurous stories from the last few hundred years of cattle musters that took place throughout the region. One of the most popular huts to visit is Craigs Hut, which was once home to Jim Craig in the iconic film The Man from Snowy River. It offers some truly spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges, especially Indian Head. You can camp around here, and you’ll be greeted with one of the most insane sunrises you have ever seen in your life, no bull!

TALBOTVILLE AND THE CROOKED RIVER TRACK

The Crooked River Track is a must for anyone touring this region. This little beauty will have you tackling 24 river crossings in just 7Km, and some of these are among the most soothing in the area. The crossings all have a good solid pebbly base, and you’ll be able to check out the Good Hope Gold Mine along the way as well, which still has old machinery scattered around the place. 

If looking for somewhere to camp on the Crooked River, look no further than Talbotville, which is about 45minutes north-west of Dargo. It’s actually an old town, although there’s nothing left of it apart from a few old, paved pathways. These days it’s a wide-open paddock with a few fire pits, pit toilets and serine river side camping, but perhaps its greatest attraction is its location. It’s a cracking spot to base yourself with a number of old gold mining sites in close proximity to explore, complete with old boilers and crushers that are still standing in their original locations. There are also some of the most iconic tracks of the High country within Cooee of Talbotville, plus you’ll absolutely love the swimming, fishing and bushwalking on offer too.   

BILLY GOAT BLUFF TRACK

Possibly the most iconic of all the Victorian High-Country tracks is the Billy Goat Bluff Track, and for good reason too. If you like the heart-in-throat type of driving, then scrambling for roughly 7km up a near vertical track reaching a height of 1200m should do the trick. About three quarters of the way up you’ll get the chance to stop at “The Bluff”, which is basically a narrow ridge-line section that gives you the opportunity to stop and take in all the scenery.  But with sheer drops either side you’ll feel like you’re balancing on a knifes’ edge and continuing further doesn’t get much easier either with several rock steps to conquer before you actually hit the summit. Now the summit offers 360 degree views and being about 1700m up they’re not too shabby either. I can almost guarantee you’ll never want to leave, not just because of the awesome scenery, but because the only way home is back down the same track!

BLUE RAG RANGE TRACK

Imagine standing at the top of one of the most scenic mountain ranges in Australia, some 1700m up with nothing but your 4WD and a camera. Well, that’s pretty much what you can expect with a run up the Blue Rag Range Track. In truth, most of the track isn’t that difficult but the last 200m or so will turn your knuckles white and your trousers, well let’s just say you should carry spare pants! That last 200m can be pretty daunting being that high up with a few rock steps to tackle, but the views at the top are well worth the extra effort! If you keep following the track, you’re in for a real adventure with the longest decent that’s accessible by the public in Australia. We’re talking dropping from 1200m down before you hit the banks of the Wongungarra River, where the camping and fishing will keep you entertained. The only thing is, you’ll have to climb back out of there to get back home, which is dead-set white-knuckled adventure at its best! 

IT’S YOUR TURN

A Victorian High-Country adventure is nothing short of amazing. It’s the sort of place that keeps you hanging to go back for more yet can leave a lump in your throat just thinking about those dicey sections with steep drop offs. If you’re planning your trip, take the time to really research the places you want to go and see. Make sure you pack the fishing rod, and your camera too, with some of the most amazing views in the world we guarantee even the most hopeless of photographers will get a few cracking happy snaps here and there!