Did this trip today for the first time towing the Trailblazer gooseneck behind the Hilux . Prior to this had tried to find about it on the web and got a lot of conflicting reports about suitability for vans including that it is not recommended to take a caravan on this route. The only sign that mentioned any thing about vans was that " it is not recommended to take vans across it in inclement weather and that you may be turned back", This sign was at Omeo. Its a big climb and as long as you have yout vehicle in good order and drive to the conditions it is no problem and the scenery is spectactular to say the least. Regards and safe travels to all. Neil
jrg said
10:19 PM May 21, 2017
Did Bright to Omea last year just after Easter very nice drive .Glad I went up not down hard slog but good wide road .They were just starting to gear up the resort at the top so had a coffee and wedges .
Desert Dweller said
06:09 AM May 22, 2017
Your lucky that you didn't strike a cold front with resulting snow up there at this time of year. You would have been buggered then.
It usually has snow along it from early June through to September. It's a great road though, travelled by many caravaners in the warmer months.
Best to stay a while up there in one of the Alpine National Park campgrounds & really see the area. The wildflowers & bushwalks are great.
Ron-D said
08:41 AM May 22, 2017
jrg wrote:
Did Bright to Omea last year just after Easter very nice drive .Glad I went up not down hard slog but good wide road .They were just starting to gear up the resort at the top so had a coffee and wedges .
So true up is a different matter to me it's a lot simpler ,down even in lower gears if it's really steep there's still a lot riding on the brakes and a failure there your dead meat, it's always a nice feeling to put some of the really steep descents behind you when towing a bid heavy rig...
PeterD said
04:28 PM May 22, 2017
jrg wrote:
.Glad I went up not down hard slog but good wide road .
As I remember it there is a fair pull up both ends. The pull up from Omeo has had me in lower gears then the pull up from the western end.
jrg said
10:54 PM May 24, 2017
Hi Peter I thought the Bright end was worse and it was a lot gentler down into Omeo but the wedges and relax at the top might have just made it seem that way . Great country although the misses wont do it again i wouldn,t mind then again she might look next time.
Lancelot Link said
01:44 AM May 25, 2017
Is that sealed now?
Bagmaker said
07:47 AM May 25, 2017
Yes Lance the Alpine route is sealed fully. Tour coaches negotiate the route daily during winter taking ski types to the top, chains have to be carried at this time of year
PeterD said
03:27 PM May 25, 2017
Lancelot Link wrote:
Is that sealed now?
It has been sealed for years ago. There was a fair stretch of excellent gravel surface around Dinner Plain when we went through in '93 but it should not have deterred many travellers. One thing I did not say earlier is that snow chains need to be carried from the long weekend in June until the long weekend in October. Keep an eye out on the conditions and steer clear when there is snow up there.
Sheffield-er said
06:19 PM May 25, 2017
Left Wangaratta (40 degrees Celsius) one Boxing Day with a truckload of trail riding horses and was stopped at the top to wait while the snow plough was hastily brought in to clear the road of a sudden snow storm. Horses were very cold in open top stock truck with snow piling up on their backs. Eventually got to Omeo for the nine day trail ride though. You never know when the weather in the mountains will change. Loving it over here in Tassie - should get our first snow on Mt Rolland in June. Cheers, ... Val
It usually has snow along it from early June through to September. It's a great road though, travelled by many caravaners in the warmer months.
Best to stay a while up there in one of the Alpine National Park campgrounds & really see the area. The wildflowers & bushwalks are great.
So true up is a different matter to me it's a lot simpler ,down even in lower gears if it's really steep there's still a lot riding on the brakes and a failure there your dead meat, it's always a nice feeling to put some of the really steep descents behind you when towing a bid heavy rig...
As I remember it there is a fair pull up both ends. The pull up from Omeo has had me in lower gears then the pull up from the western end.
It has been sealed for years ago. There was a fair stretch of excellent gravel surface around Dinner Plain when we went through in '93 but it should not have deterred many travellers. One thing I did not say earlier is that snow chains need to be carried from the long weekend in June until the long weekend in October. Keep an eye out on the conditions and steer clear when there is snow up there.
Left Wangaratta (40 degrees Celsius) one Boxing Day with a truckload of trail riding horses and was stopped at the top to wait while the snow plough was hastily brought in to clear the road of a sudden snow storm. Horses were very cold in open top stock truck with snow piling up on their backs. Eventually got to Omeo for the nine day trail ride though. You never know when the weather in the mountains will change. Loving it over here in Tassie - should get our first snow on Mt Rolland in June.
Cheers,
... Val