Australia’s five best mountain drives

Here are some of our favourite climbs and descents around this wide brown land we call home.

The Alpine Way Drive runs from the town of Khancoban, near the Victorian border, to Jindabyne in NSW (a distance of about 120km travelling through the Kosciuszko National Park). If you’ve ever played a driving video game with an Alpine section, this road will sing a familiar tune. Remote, relentlessly scenic and challenging, thanks to its local climate the Alpine Way Drive can surprise international visitors with its often cold, damp conditions. Mount Kosciuszko is more than a great ‘Scrabble’ score, at 2627 metres it is Australia’s highest mountain and, while not accessible by car, is clearly visible along the way. You will also go past the Thredbo ski fields and the Perisher slopes aren’t far away; NSW has plenty to offer snow fans. Without doubt this is a cracking good drive.

Turn off the Hume Highway at Wangaratta and you’ll start a 340km adventure called the Great Alpine Road which takes you over the Victorian Alps and down to the East Gippsland coast near Bairnsdale. Grazing opportunities are plentiful as you pass through the foodie havens of Milawa and Bright. Then it’s over to the ski fields of Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain. On the descent, you will find Omeo and Swifts Creek compelling places to stop. And after Bairnsdale, it’s definitely worthwhile to carry-on to the Gippsland Lakes and the village lifestyle of Metung is enchanting. Of course you could also consider doing the route in reverse. Be prepared for some challenging corners and in winter don’t set-off without snow chains. Regardless of the season, the scenery is fabulous so try to find a few days for this trip.

As scenic drives go, this one gets off to a tremendous start in Hobart with the 1271 metre Mount Wellington only 27km from the city centre. In fact, Tasmania’s capital is the only one in Australia with a mountain seemingly looming overhead. Heading up to the summit, the winding road passes through dense forest and an eerie landscape of boulders and snow gums. Along the way there are sweeping views of Hobart, the Derwent River and even Port Arthur; (there’s an enclosed viewing platform if it’s cold and windy). Don’t overlook the many walking tracks and extremely photogenic rock formations. On the way back down, drop in to the historic Cascade Brewery for a tipple in its tap room or just a stroll in the garden.

If you’re looking for snow close to Melbourne, wait until winter takes a firm grip and take the reasonably easy drive to Lake Mountain. The 1480 metre summit gets regular snow (check the online snow-cam before leaving) but with no lifts, downhill action isn’t a goer. On the other hand, some 40km of trails provide plenty of choice for Nordic skiing enthusiasts. Youngsters and adventurous adults will also find a terrific tobogganing slope. While you’re only two hours by road from the Melbourne CBD (much less from the eastern suburbs), the road up to Lake Mountain is mostly unspoiled bush and Alpine scenery. And don’t forget, up here you’re close to both the fabulous Yarra Valley and the pretty village of Marysville.

These days driving Melbourne-Sydney requires less than 10 hours, but it’s all Hume Freeway tedium.  For those with some time, relief can be found by heading from picturesque Corryong and along the hills of the Alpine Way Drive. Then divert north to Cabramurra, which, at 1488 metres, is Australia’s highest township. Cabramurra was home to workers who constructed the Snowy Mountains hydro scheme and there you will find some of the scheme’s tunnels. As the road twists across Alpine meadows, your next destination should be Mount Selwyn, with its curious other-worldly landscape. Then you’re off to Adaminaby, Cooma and the nation’s capital Canberra. Before leaving it pays to check for possible winter road closures.

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