We are travelling the Great Alpine Road this month, from Bairnsdale to Wangaratta. There seem to be two ways to go - one via Omeo and the other via Dargo. We have a 21ft Van - Adria. I am wondering which would be best to take the van.
The road from Bairnsdale to Omeo is tight and bendy and used by semi-trailers who often need all the road and, with a cliff face on one side, leave you nowhere to go.
The road from Omeo north (the Omeo Highway) is a swine! *Very* tight and bendy in its early stages and a climb to 1300m elevation - I was down to 1st gear in my Jackaroo.
With a 21' van on the back (similar size to mine) I *strongly* recommend you go via Melbourne - it is a much easier and less stressful drive.
Edit:
I missed the mention of Dargo: I wouldn't go that way either. Very windy road and very steep climbs up to 1600m.
Given that Bairnsdale to Melbourne is about 3.5h and Melbourne to Wangaratta is about 3h I seriously doubt it would be any quicker via either Omeo or Dargo and it will be a lot more wear and tear on both vehicle and driver and certainly will use more fuel.
Also with a 3T van I'd be *very* mindful of transmission over heating in those hills.
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Sunday 7th of March 2021 07:53:09 AM
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I have towed a Avan Camper Trailer from Bairnsdale to Wangaratta that way and no way known to man kind would I even think of towing my 21ft van at 2.7t that way. I would do the Bairnsdale to Melbourne to Wangaratta thing for sure. Gee, I risk my life with this bit, but, you could even drop in to the free weighbridge at Broadford on the Hume Freeway and check how you are travelling in that department.
By the way, I'm in N E VIC as we speak and it's a great area and I tell you that for free.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
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We have just been from Bairnsdale to Omeo,then from Omeo to Mitta Mitta towing, and just came back,on Friday.
There is no problem whatever,the road from Bainsdale to Omeo is a piece of cake,it is greatly improved.
They are working on the Omeo Hwy between Anglers Rest and Omeo,it looks like they were removing the Rock with Ouch painted on it.Steel barriers are being placed on the curves with drop offs.
New line marking with arrows painted to direct you to stay on the correct side on bends.Plenty of big vans now using the road.
Mike I suggest you take a trip over and see the improvements. here is a photo of them working on the Omeo hwy.
-- Edited by Plain Truth on Sunday 7th of March 2021 08:47:30 AM
Been over that road several years ago in a 40 foot 17 tonne tag axle bus with 29 metre turning circle flat towing a suzuki. Gutless engine, 4 speed crash box, no engine brakes, drum brakes all-round.
Spirit of adventure seems to be declining nowadays. "Just do it"
Did Lakes Entrance to Wangaratta via Bruthen, Omeo, Hotham Heights, Bright, with a 19'6" Van in 2015, thought it was a great drive. Would do it again in a flash.
we did Bairnsdale to Omeo to Wangaratta in our 7mtr motorhome two years ago. The road is narrow in parts and certainly lots of bends but very "doable". Some spectacular scenery. Stayed o/n at Omeo, a nice quiet park.
Go to omeo and up over dinner plain, hotham down to Bright and then to wang.
Did this wth a 20' 2.8 ton van just recently, also the Omeo hwy north to Tallangatta.
Sure, there is some twisty bits but both are good sealed roads.
Just watch for motorcyclist that love fangin' the Twisties and don't cut corners. Use lower gears on steep down hill sections to keep your speed down and not overheat the brakes.
Take your time, pull over at rest areas and enjoy the views, and use the pullouts to let any traffic past.
Go to omeo and up over dinner plain, hotham down to Bright and then to wang.
Dinner Plain is at 1600m elevation - ensure your tow car and transmission is suited if you're going to haul 3T up there and ensure your brakes are in top order for the descents.
In a manual, on some of the ascents, if you stop I doubt you'll be able to restart without burning out the clutch, even in low range (if you have it) I think it would be a struggle.
__________________
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Havingfun,some of the road reports are scaremongering,if you want to do the G.A.R. the scenery is impressive,but not many free camps.
Seeing you want to camp for a few days I would take the long way over the Omeo Hwy.at least 7 lovely free camps all on water with drop toilets and fireplaces
