High Country
FIVE FAVES Elevate your any-season escape to new horizons in nature, adventure and hospitality. Nowhere wraps up four-season fun quite like the High Country. From winter’s snow-capped peaks and autumn’s kaleidoscope of colour, to summer’s alpine freshness and spring’s explosion of wildflowers and natural life, it’s your year-round playground. Set-up at a mountain-high holiday park, in the foothills, by a crystal-clear lake or river, or in a wild bushland setting. Seek out your own adventure: abseiling and rock climbing, 4WD and dirt biking, gliding, ballooning, kayaking and more. Embrace the outdoors with horse riding, bird watching, fishing, swimming or trail running. The region’s off-road rail trail network is the longest and most spectacular in the Southern Hemisphere. Many of the trails pass right by holiday parks. Find a home away from home amongst quaint hamlets, humming historical towns and easy-to-love alpine villages. Hide out in Harrietville, reset in Rutherglen and feel pure serenity at Dinner Plain. Fill your basket at a farmers market, your glass at a distillery, brewery or vineyard, pack a picnic or dine at a restaurant ‘paddock to plate’ experience. Escape far away from your everyday in a land where the skies are as big as the welcome. 52 vicparks.com.au
Image: Mount Buller
Snow action: For downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow play, hit the slopes at Mount Hotham, Mount Buffalo or Falls Creek. Door to door: Cellar hop celebrated vineyards of the Alpine Valleys, one of Australia’s most elevated wine districts. Stellar wines. Sublime views. Trail mix: Tackle a rail trail on foot or two wheels and cool-off with a shady picnic and pristine lake or river dip. Huts and heritage: Board a helicopter for a bird’s eye view of legendary cattleman huts, from the air, and on the ground when you land for lunch. Road trip: Journey the Great Alpine Road, one of Australia’s great touring routes, for jaw-dropping vistas.