Great Alpine Road in Gippsland

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The Places We Go team just finished filming Series 4, wrapping up the series in our home state of Victoria on a journey along the inspiring Great Alpine Road.

Driving the Great Alpine Road in Gippsland, Victoria

It’s a drive that is not so well-known to us as the Great Ocean Road, or other such scenic drives, but it is certainly worth knowing about! The journey starts (or ends, depending on which direction you are going) in the High Country. We wound our way from Bright and Harrietville, resplendent with their autumn leaves, up into the peaks of Alpine National Park. Past Mount Hotham, our first stop for the night was in Dinner Plain. A true alpine village, the air at Dinner Plain was crisp, and deliciously tainted with the scent of chimney smoke. Inside Rundell’s Alpine Lodge, the fire was certainly crackling and a glass of the local red was a must!

We joined owners Gary and Marg for dinner in their incredible restaurant, Graze. Impeccably decorated in true alpine lodge style by Marg, the surroundings were as cosy and they were stylish. And on the menu? We got a taste of what is to come in the upcoming Great Alpine Roast Festival being held along the Great Alpine Road. With local beef, root vegetables and yorkshire puddings, we were in gastronomical heaven, and the company was just as good.

You might guess by now that the ‘theme’ of our journey was food. This region in Gippsland is becoming famous for its produce, which is the great reason behind the festival. With varying climates in the hills and valleys of the region, it is suitable for producing a wide variety of gourmet goodies.

As we wound our way south along the route from Dinner Plain, we passed vineyards with spectacular wineries, a pub that has recently won a national ‘best bistro’ award, and stopped at local olive farm, Nullamunjie Olives, for the most delicious olive oil. After a night in the spectacularly positioned Omeo Caravan Park, we found ourselves finishing the journey at Bullant Brewery in Bruthen, where micro beers are matched perfectly to the regional produce that is on the menu here. All this is best enjoyed on the deck overlooking the stunning Tambo River.

Unfortuntaly, all journeys come to an end and so did this wonderful Great Alpine Road trip. As we clinked our beer glasses at Bullant, we celebrated not only another fantastic adventure, but another fantastic series. We have travelled thousands of kilometres around the world, discovered so many wonderful parts of our planet, and most importantly, met the most incredible people. It is thanks to those people that these stories are shared and we all learn a little bit more about our world.

We can’t wait to start Series 5!

We hope you will continue to join our adventures.

For more information on the Great Alpine Road, visit www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au

Have you undertaken any exciting road trips in Australia? Share your story in the comments below!