Is the Great Alpine Road paved?
Australia, oceania
303 km
1,841 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Great Alpine Road (B500), totally paved and ready to roll in Victoria, Australia! This isn’t just any road trip; it's a 303 km (188 mi) ribbon of asphalt winding through some of the most breathtaking scenery you can imagine.
You kick things off near Wangaratta, cruising through farmland and vineyards until you hit Bright. Then, get ready for a climb after Harrietville! This stretch gets real – steep, twisty, with hairpin turns that demand your full attention. Trust me, you'll want to take it slow here.
Mount Hotham's a highlight, but it’s also where you need to be extra careful. After that, a quick hop to Dinner Plain and then more of those thrilling curves before you roll into Omeo. The road between Omeo and Bruthen is pretty steep and still kinda twisty, but before long, you'll be cruising more easily to Bairnsdale, a city marking the end of the road!
A word to the wise: this drive needs your focus. It's wide enough, but some spots are right on the edge with some serious drops. FYI, if you’re towing a caravan or have a larger RV, the section between Omeo and Harrietville is best avoided.
Heads up: being one of the highest roads in the country, this route can get snowed in! The section over Mount Hotham climbs to 1,840m (6,040ft) and gets seriously snowy in winter. The road might be closed, so always check conditions and carry chains during the colder months. This road is open year round, but weather conditions can mean snow!
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 303 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,841 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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