Great Alpine Road is Australia's highest year-round accessible paved road
Australia, oceania
303 km
1,841 m
hard
Year-round
# Great Alpine Road: Australia's Most Spectacular Alpine Drive
Ready for one of the world's most breathtaking road trips? The Great Alpine Road is calling your name. This stunning 303 km (188 mi) route winds through Victoria's mountains and has earned the title of Australia's highest year-round sealed road. The official name was adopted on April 4, 1998, and it's been stealing hearts ever since.
## The Journey Unfolds
Starting in Wangaratta in northeast Victoria, you'll ease into the drive through charming farmland and vineyard-dotted valleys before hitting the charming town of Bright. The scenery continues to impress as you cruise toward Harrietville, passing through picturesque countryside at every turn.
Then things get serious. The road climbs steeply toward Mount Hotham with relentless switchbacks and hairpin turns that demand your full attention. This is where you'll feel your heart racing—it's genuinely challenging driving. After conquering Mount Hotham, it's a quick 15-minute descent to Dinner Plain, followed by more twisty, steep terrain that keeps you on your toes. You'll reach Omeo in another 5-15 minutes.
From Omeo to Bruthern, expect moderate slopes and winding roads before things finally straighten out on the run to Bairnsdale, your finishing point in East Gippsland.
## What You Need to Know
This road demands respect. The pavement is solid throughout, but it's narrow in places—just barely wide enough for two-way traffic. Those steep mountain drops? Many sections lack guardrails, so stay focused and take it slow.
The Mount Hotham section peaks at a dramatic 1,840m (6,040ft). Winter transforms this into snow country, and the road regularly closes from late autumn through early spring. If you're heading up during snow season, chains are compulsory—you can rent them one-way from either side. Between Omeo and Harrietville, caravans aren't recommended, and larger RVs need extra caution.
This is the kind of drive that rewards careful drivers with unforgettable views and genuine adventure.
Where is it?
Great Alpine Road is Australia's highest year-round accessible paved road is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -22.5959, 135.2503
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 303 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,841 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -22.5959, 135.2503
Related Roads in oceania
moderateThe cursed Mushroom Tunnel of Picton
🇦🇺 Australia
Tucked away near Picton, in New South Wales' Macarthur Region, lies the infamous Redbank Range Railway Tunnel, a.k.a. the Mushroom Tunnel. This 180-meter relic opened way back in 1867 but was abandoned by trains in 1919. It even did a stint as a storage facility during WWII and later as a mushroom farm! The road leading to it, nestled between Picton Junction and Thirlmer, is unpaved, adding to the adventure. Sadly, the tunnel is currently closed due to deterioration, so you can only admire it from the outside. Known for its eerie vibe, thanks to the dampness and resident fungi, the tunnel has a surreal beauty. Legend has it that the tunnel is haunted by the ghost of a woman named Emily Bollard, who tragically died after being hit by a train in 1916. People claim to have seen strange lights, felt sudden temperature drops, and even spotted ghostly children within its walls. So, while you can't venture inside, a visit to the Redbank Range Railway Tunnel promises a unique and spine-tingling experience! Be cautious and respect any barriers if you visit.
moderateWhere is Boranup Drive?
🇦🇺 Australia
Boranup Drive is a seriously gorgeous, well-maintained gravel road that slices right through Boranup Forest in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, about three hours southwest of Perth. This 13.8 km (8.57 miles) beauty lives inside Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and is totally doable in a 2WD, although be warned – it can get a bit bumpy with corrugations, potholes and rocks, so prepare for a bit of a shake-up! It's narrow too, so keep your speed down and be ready to pull over for other cars. You'll wind your way through these incredible, towering Karri trees – it's breathtaking. Boranup Drive is open year-round and runs parallel to Caves Road. Head up to Boranup Lookout – it's the highest point at 222m (728ft) and offers insane views of the coastline, forest, and Hamelin Bay. Plus, there are awesome bushwalks starting there, a picnic spot, and even a basic toilet. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The forest is the star of the show here, so bring your camera. And remember, you're in Margaret River, so wineries, caves, beaches, and trails are all nearby – something for everyone!
moderateMurray Scrub Road becomes boggy when it rains
🇦🇺 Australia
Murray Scrub Road is a scenic drive located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. Located within Toonumbar National Park, the road is totally unpaved. Starting at Afterlee Road, out of Kyogle, the road is 10.7km (6.64 miles) long, leading to the Iron Pot Creek picnic and After rain, even a single rainfall, conditions of the road can be challenging. Adverse weather conditions can prompt closure of the road. Set among shady rainforest trees, the road can become boggy when it rains. It is suitable for four-wheel drive in dry weather conditions only: road can be slippery after normal rain. Caves Road Tourist Drive What You Need To Know About The Beautiful But Dangerous Sea Cliff Bridge Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardDobson Peak
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Alright thrill-seekers, let's talk Dobson Peak in New Zealand's South Island! This ain't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a lung-busting climb to 2,019 meters (6,624 feet) on a rocky, gravel road inside the Mt Dobson Ski Area. Think of it as a service road for the chairlift - seriously steep, with sections hitting a 30% gradient! This is strictly 4x4 territory, and you'll need nerves of steel. Loose stones under your tires and increasingly rocky terrain as you climb demand your full attention. The window to tackle this peak is tiny, limited to a short summer timeframe. And even then, don't expect sunshine and rainbows! The wind is almost always howling, and snowy days are a real possibility, even in summer. Winter? Forget about it – brutally cold is an understatement. But if you're up for an epic challenge with killer views, Dobson Peak is calling your name!