hi all, we are considering a trip up thru the vic alps towing a 22ft van, has any body done the miles from Corryong to Omeo, on to mt. Hotham and down to Mytleford? we are also looking for free camps along the way and any thing of interest that you must see. Any input would be grateful.
regards, Fred.
LLD said
05:35 PM Aug 15, 2016
Via Mitta Mitta - This road has only been sealed in last few years from Mitta Mitta to Omeo. Prior to sealing is was not recommended for Vans. Not sure that even sealed it is recommended for vans. Even keen motorcyclists reckon it's a handful.
Via Bright - Big twisty hill from Bright to Omeo over Hotham. You will need lots of torque and good brakes. You will need to take very warm gear. Even On Australia Day weekend a few years ago, there was black ice on the road around Dinner Plain.
There appears to be many places to free camp on either road.
Having said all of that, it's doable.
Eaglemax said
07:01 PM Aug 15, 2016
All dirt roads as the Crow flies between those two towns are terrible with corrugation and potholes. The newly sealed road is OK.
Done Bright to Omeo many times. Its a good road taken slowly when there isn't snow. It could be closed if adverse conditions. The windy steep section 10 km east of Harrietville needs care.
30km north of Omeo there are camps ranger collects a fee. They have toilets every 100 metres along the running creek. Campsites. Many others on the way to Mitta.
Cheers
Recoup said
07:08 PM Aug 15, 2016
don't do Corryong- Omeo , to narrow, one long and slow climing hill , and log trucks.
Cheers
Radar said
07:54 PM Aug 15, 2016
freddy fingers wrote:
hi all, we are considering a trip up thru the vic alps towing a 22ft van, has any body done the miles from Corryong to Omeo, on to mt. Hotham and down to Mytleford? we are also looking for free camps along the way and any thing of interest that you must see. Any input would be grateful.
regards, Fred.
Hi Freddy Fingers and welcome.
A big no. I have not done all of your proposed route. Mind you I would love to but not at the moment.
Now I have done from Tallangatta to Omeo. OK it has some corners, up hill, down dale, actually a lot of it but it one of the great drives. A good drive with a few really good relaxing rest stops along the way. Omeo Hotel has open a cheapy camp site, the C/P in town a bit expensive.
We met an elderly couple Ray and Nola he was 79 coming up to 80 towing a 20 footer and when they left us at a overnight rest area they were going around via Tallangatta, Corryong back to Omeo home to Bainsdale. We made a point of calling in on them 3 weeks later, they just love it. He was truck driver, farmer, mechanic and nothing upset him and I am much the same only 11 years younger.
We have another friend Alan he is 76 reckons its the best drive he has done in his Fiat medium size motor home and he did it all.
So it looks to me it how you see it, take your time enjoy, free camp sites were special.
Hope I have been some help. I have put some photos up.
Take your time, you will be fine. Mitta to Omeo is narrow and twisty but beautiful. Walnuts area is worth a stop by itself, keep an eye on the met for adverse weather as has been stated.
These are all decent alpine areas and need respect but not fear, have some spare time and dont be afraid to use it!!
There is currently a zillion 12m coaches doing the daily ski run between Harrietville and Hotham, I am sure you can get your little van down.
Cheers
jrg said
10:38 AM Aug 16, 2016
Hi Freddy
We did Bairnsdale Omeo Mitta Mitta across to Bright Mt Hotham Omeo Bainsdale round Easter .I tow a Kokoda Force X trail at 3200kgs with a ford Ranger .I,m glad I did it that way it was a grind up Mt Hotham but going down towards Bright would be worse brakes would be red hot as Omeo is already pretty high its a gentle slop down into the town. The climb up Mt H. the road is wide windy and in very good nick .Omeo to Mitta Mitta is tar very windy and although 2 lane pretty narrow .The whole trip you need to be alert it,s a great drive. Omeo to Mitta Mitta some beautiful spots by the river to camp Omeo as stated has one in town and there is one about 10/15 ks towards Mt Hotham with a lovely view over the valley into Omeo.SWMBO was not happy going up to Mt Hotham as all she could see was straight down good bit she didn,t talk for the climb to Mt H .
freddy fingers said
03:57 PM Aug 16, 2016
Thank you all for your replies and info, we have already done Tallangatta to Omeo via Mitta and yes it was a great drive . this time I wanted to do Colac colac (Corryong) to omeo via Nariel and Benambra, I am a retired truck driver so I don't think the log trucks would worry me too much but the bride is insistent we don"t do dirt roads, so if it is black stuff all the way I would like to give it a go. Thanks again for your input.
regards, Fred.
PeterD said
09:35 PM Aug 16, 2016
freddy fingers wrote:
hi all, we are considering a trip up thru the vic alps towing a 22ft van, has any body done the miles from Corryong to Omeo, on to mt. Hotham and down to Mytleford?
Fred, you have done the bendy bit of that trip already (as indicated in a later post.) I would not attempt the Omeo to Bright bit until after the October long weekend. You are likely to strike snow on the road and at any rate you must carry wheel chains for the trip. It's not wise with the van in tow. From mid October you will be perfectly OK. You just need to select a lower gear to descend from Hotham Heights. I manage to get down in second gear (auto box) with minimum application of the brakes.
jimboz said
11:28 PM Aug 16, 2016
G,day Fred, there is a lot of gravel between Nariel & Benambra... Jim
hi all, we are considering a trip up thru the vic alps towing a 22ft van, has any body done the miles from Corryong to Omeo, on to mt. Hotham and down to Mytleford? we are also looking for free camps along the way and any thing of interest that you must see. Any input would be grateful.
regards, Fred.
Via Bright - Big twisty hill from Bright to Omeo over Hotham. You will need lots of torque and good brakes. You will need to take very warm gear. Even On Australia Day weekend a few years ago, there was black ice on the road around Dinner Plain.
There appears to be many places to free camp on either road.
Having said all of that, it's doable.
don't do Corryong- Omeo , to narrow, one long and slow climing hill , and log trucks.
Cheers
Hi Freddy Fingers and welcome.
A big no. I have not done all of your proposed route. Mind you I would love to but not at the moment.
Now I have done from Tallangatta to Omeo. OK it has some corners, up hill, down dale, actually a lot of it but it one of the great drives. A good drive with a few really good relaxing rest stops along the way. Omeo Hotel has open a cheapy camp site, the C/P in town a bit expensive.
We met an elderly couple Ray and Nola he was 79 coming up to 80 towing a 20 footer and when they left us at a overnight rest area they were going around via Tallangatta, Corryong back to Omeo home to Bainsdale. We made a point of calling in on them 3 weeks later, they just love it. He was truck driver, farmer, mechanic and nothing upset him and I am much the same only 11 years younger.
We have another friend Alan he is 76 reckons its the best drive he has done in his Fiat medium size motor home and he did it all.
So it looks to me it how you see it, take your time enjoy, free camp sites were special.
Hope I have been some help. I have put some photos up.
These are all decent alpine areas and need respect but not fear, have some spare time and dont be afraid to use it!!
There is currently a zillion 12m coaches doing the daily ski run between Harrietville and Hotham, I am sure you can get your little van down.
Cheers
We did Bairnsdale Omeo Mitta Mitta across to Bright Mt Hotham Omeo Bainsdale round Easter .I tow a Kokoda Force X trail at 3200kgs with a ford Ranger .I,m glad I did it that way it was a grind up Mt Hotham but going down towards Bright would be worse brakes would be red hot as Omeo is already pretty high its a gentle slop down into the town. The climb up Mt H. the road is wide windy and in very good nick .Omeo to Mitta Mitta is tar very windy and although 2 lane pretty narrow .The whole trip you need to be alert it,s a great drive. Omeo to Mitta Mitta some beautiful spots by the river to camp Omeo as stated has one in town and there is one about 10/15 ks towards Mt Hotham with a lovely view over the valley into Omeo.SWMBO was not happy going up to Mt Hotham as all she could see was straight down good bit she didn,t talk for the climb to Mt H .
regards, Fred.
Fred, you have done the bendy bit of that trip already (as indicated in a later post.) I would not attempt the Omeo to Bright bit until after the October long weekend. You are likely to strike snow on the road and at any rate you must carry wheel chains for the trip. It's not wise with the van in tow. From mid October you will be perfectly OK. You just need to select a lower gear to descend from Hotham Heights. I manage to get down in second gear (auto box) with minimum application of the brakes.