Trying to plan a trip from Portland Vic. to Mallacoota via Shepparton / Wangaratta then on to Bright. Just wondering if anyone could advise me on the road (Great Alpine road) from Bright to Omeo as we don't have a lot of experience yet. Time is not a factor & trip will be after winter. Rig is Grand Cherokee with 24' Safari. Trying to plan this way instead of going through Melbourne which I think would be more of a heart ache. Hope someone can give me some help.
Thanks Dopey3
Dougwe said
11:50 AM Aug 19, 2015
Welcome to the gang Dopey3, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Put the Great Alpine off the list for this time of year and until October at the earliest as there will be a lot of snow still around. That said I wouldn't tow my van around there or think about it any time of the year.
Someone from here asked about the same road not all that many moons ago and decided to travel the road and wish they hadn't but I can't temember who it was sorry. I have done it in a car only.
Long way around but you could head down the Hume and cut across to Gippsland then around to Mallacoota.
Keep Safe out there.
Dopey3 said
12:00 PM Aug 19, 2015
Thanks Dougwe. You have talked me out of it. Looks like Melbourne down the M1 will be the go
Dougwe said
12:10 PM Aug 19, 2015
Don't have to go into Melbourne mate, cut across though Seymore and Yea to Princes Hwy Pakenham, easy as. Check it out on a map.
Dopey3 said
02:12 PM Aug 19, 2015
Thanks Doug
spida said
02:54 PM Aug 19, 2015
I headed to Omeo from Bright one day - without the caravan fortunately. Decided after half hour of very winding road and sometimes very sharp corners - that I couldn't be bothered going another 70 km if the road was like that most of the way so turned and went back. And I am a Kiwi used to mountain roads. Just saying.......
Jenzarl said
03:44 PM Aug 19, 2015
I will second Doug's Seymour-Yea-Pakenham route. A very nice drive.
Our family use this way to visit family in Cranbourne from Northern Victoria all the time. Jen
exa41 said
04:11 PM Aug 19, 2015
We did Doug`s route last weekend , roads good ,
Felicia said
06:58 PM Aug 19, 2015
Dougwe, I replied to that post about travelling that road, we had no troubles towing a 19 1/2 foot van from Omeo to Bright and would do it again. I'm sorry the person who went that way had problems. It's just different horses for different courses. If you have doubt's yourself, don't do it, go with your own gut feeling.
Lynda
deedles said
06:39 PM Aug 20, 2015
We did this route with our van in May this year and didn't have a problem. There wasn't any snow around then. There were over caravanners and motorhomes doing the same. I would like to add that if your not an experienced, confident driver, then I definitely wouldn't attempt it.
Radar said
08:24 PM Aug 20, 2015
Hi Dopey,
Hope your avata is not as bright as you.
Look outside the square a bit, if you travel the roads less travelled you well find some of the best scenery and meet wonderful people.
Most people in these areas want to be there, enjoy their area and like to share with there visitors.
So the road bends a little, take your time, pull up for a cuppa, look about and before you know it you are down that windy road with great scenes, collected some more great memories.
I do realise that Bright to Omeo could have a snow hazard this time of year and I am not really a native to the area but there is other alternatives without driving to Melbourne.
1. Benalla, Melton, Yarck, Yea, Lilydale, Yarra Junction down to Moe or Warragul, Brainsdale to Omeo. That seems a long way.
2. Wondonga, Tallangatta down to Omeo though Mitta Mitta, looks interesting with some bendy bits.
You could even go Wangaratta, Myrtleford take 160 then left on 191 up to Kiewa. Now that looks worth exploring.
Hope this helps and I do in courage people to take roads less travel to gain experience towing there caravans on ordinary roads, take your time, stop enjoy a cuppa, soak up the freedom. Ralph.
PeterD said
04:39 PM Aug 21, 2015
There is nothing wrong with the GAR if you are a competent driver. Sure there is a good climb up from the Bright end and a lot of twists and turns. However the road is a two lane road over the whole length. It is the main drag from Wangaratta to east Gippsland in the summer. If semi-trailers can fit along it you should be able to. Just take your time particularly on descents, use as low a gear as you can to arrest your downhill speed. Go forth with a positive attitude and you will be perfectly safe.
Trying to plan a trip from Portland Vic. to Mallacoota via Shepparton / Wangaratta then on to Bright. Just wondering if anyone could advise me on the road (Great Alpine road) from Bright to Omeo as we don't have a lot of experience yet. Time is not a factor & trip will be after winter. Rig is Grand Cherokee with 24' Safari. Trying to plan this way instead of going through Melbourne which I think would be more of a heart ache. Hope someone can give me some help.
Thanks Dopey3
Put the Great Alpine off the list for this time of year and until October at the earliest as there will be a lot of snow still around. That said I wouldn't tow my van around there or think about it any time of the year.
Someone from here asked about the same road not all that many moons ago and decided to travel the road and wish they hadn't but I can't temember who it was sorry. I have done it in a car only.
Long way around but you could head down the Hume and cut across to Gippsland then around to Mallacoota.
Keep Safe out there.
Thanks Doug
I will second Doug's Seymour-Yea-Pakenham route. A very nice drive.
Our family use this way to visit family in Cranbourne from Northern Victoria all the time. Jen
Lynda
Hi Dopey,
Hope your avata is not as bright as you.
Look outside the square a bit, if you travel the roads less travelled you well find some of the best scenery and meet wonderful people.
Most people in these areas want to be there, enjoy their area and like to share with there visitors.
So the road bends a little, take your time, pull up for a cuppa, look about and before you know it you are down that windy road with great scenes, collected some more great memories.
I do realise that Bright to Omeo could have a snow hazard this time of year and I am not really a native to the area but there is other alternatives without driving to Melbourne.
1. Benalla, Melton, Yarck, Yea, Lilydale, Yarra Junction down to Moe or Warragul, Brainsdale to Omeo. That seems a long way.
2. Wondonga, Tallangatta down to Omeo though Mitta Mitta, looks interesting with some bendy bits.
You could even go Wangaratta, Myrtleford take 160 then left on 191 up to Kiewa. Now that looks worth exploring.
Hope this helps and I do in courage people to take roads less travel to gain experience towing there caravans on ordinary roads, take your time, stop enjoy a cuppa, soak up the freedom. Ralph.