The Victorian Alps near Mount Beauty

Mount Beauty (including Tawonga and Bogong)
Attractive ski town on the edge of the Alpine National Park
Mt Beauty is a located at the foot of Victoria's highest mountain, Mt Bogong (1986 m), in the lovely Kiewa Valley and at the north-western edge of the Bogong section of Alpine National Park. As such it is a base for those wishing to explore the scenic summertime delights of the Bogong high plains and the wintertime skiing resort of Falls Creek which is another 30 km south along Bogong High Plains Rd. Thus it has ski hire outlets and affiliated enterprises, as well as plenty of accommodation possibilities. For those wishing to take a shortcut it also has an airstrip.

Mt Beauty is 366 metres above sea-level and 334 km north-east of Melbourne via the Hume Freeway, Wangaratta and the Great Alpine Rd. The population of Mt Beauty, Tawonga South and Tawonga is currently around 2000.

The Bogong area has the most extensive area of alpine vegetation in the Alpine National Park with more than 300 plant species (some rare). Habitats include snow-gum woodlands and an alpine herbfield which is best in late spring and early summer when the vibrant wildflowers are in bloom. There are also some important animal species including mountain pygmy possum, broad-toothed rat and alpine water skink.

For thousands of years prior to European settlement Aborigines (possibly the Jaitmathang people) journeyed to the high plains in springtime to feed on Bogong moths which they often cooked and ground into a paste (appropriately, 'Bogong' is an Aboriginal word said to mean 'big fella'). They then descended and gathered at what is now the Albury-Wodonga area for a large corroboree on the banks of the Murray.

European settlement began when pastoralists first moved into the area in the 1830s. Many of the mountain tracks were pioneered in the 1850s by George Gray and his stockmen who occupied a station near Wangaratta. Tawonga started at this time as a farming community. By the 1880s the springtime cattle drive up the mountains had become a well-established practice and a number of the stockmen's huts, which still dot the area, were built at this time.

The rolling countryside between Mount Beauty and Mitta Mitta

The township of Mt Beauty was built in the 1940s by the State Electricity Commission (SEC) for the accommodation of workers on the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme, developed between 1939 and 1961. It entailed the construction of Rocky Valley Reservoir, just south of Falls Creek, which holds 28 000 megalitres of water from the Bogong high plains. A pipeline then conveys the water to nearby McKay Power Station where it is used to generate hydro-electricity. This process is repeated as the water is relayed down the mountain as the East Kiewa River to the Clover Dam Power Station and on to the foot of the mountain where it meets up with the West Kiewa River for the supply of the West Kiewa Power Station.

Annual events include the Kangaroo Hoppet Festival (held in late August), the Australian National Mountain Bike Championships (March), the Big Hill Downhill Race (November), the Mitta Mitta to Mt Beauty Mountain Bike Race (October), the Conquestathon Fun Walk to the top of Mt Bogong (on the Sunday of the March long weekend) and the Gathering of the Moths, a fly-in of World War II planes at the Mt Beauty airstrip. It is attended by the Vietnam Veterans Mobile Museum. A community market is also held on the first Saturday of each month.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information and Local Activities
The Alpine Discovery Centre is located at 31 Bogong High Plains Road, Mount Beauty. They can fill you in on local mountain-bike hire (a very popular summertime activity), the daily coach service which operates to Falls Creek in the ski season (from the Queen's Birthday weekend in June to the long weekend in October), horseriding, canoeing, hang-gliding, fishing, swimming, bush walking, camping, abseiling, ski touring, sailing, picnicking, 4WD tours, golfing and the local three-pool swimming complex with spa and sauna. For general information ring (03) 5754 1962 or 1800 111 885.

For those seeking information relating specifically to the Bogong section of Alpine National Park, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment have a small office on the highway, tel: (03) 5754 4693. Alternatively, ring the Bright office on (03) 5755 1577 or Parks Victoria on 131 963.

Mt Beauty Holding Pondage
Mt Beauty Holding Pondage, created as part of the hydro-electric scheme, is now a popular spot for fishing and watersports. There are picnic, barbecue and childrens' play facilities and a boat ramp.

Go Karting and Rock Climbing Indoors
Go Karting and Rock Climbing Indoors are located on the highway at Mt Beauty, tel: (03) 5754 1077.

Sandstone Galleries
Sandstone Galleries are at 181-183 Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga. They have a selection of fine art and regular exhibitions and are open weekends and school holidays from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. or by appointment, tel: (03) 5754 1375.

Bogong High Plains Rd
The Bogong High Plains Rd, from Mt Beauty south to Falls Creek, is narrow, winding but spectacularly scenic, traversing some of the most elevated terrain in the state. Those wishing to drive along the road in the ski season are required by law to carry driving chains. The road is closed in winter between Falls Creek and Omeo.

Big Hill Lookout
5 km south of Mt Beauty is a turnoff on the right to West Kiewa Power Station. 2 km along this road there is another turnoff on the left which leads, after a further 6 km, to Big Hill Lookout (1067 m).

Bogong Alpine Village
10 km from Mt Beauty is a lookout area known as View Point. Another kilometre takes you past Clover Dam and Clover Power Station (attempts are currently being made to reopen Clover Flat Arboretum).

Bogong Alpine Village is 14 km south of Mt Beauty. Like Mt Beauty it was created as an accommodation centre for workers on the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme and is now a holiday accommodation centre. Like Mt Beauty, it has its own pondage - Lake Guy, where fishing and boating can be pursued (there is a boat ramp). There is a very enjoyable walk around the lake (2 km) which passes through a tunnel in the weir wall and there is a picnic-barbecue area with an information board outlining other bush walks.

Bogong is a beautifully landscaped town with fine gardens established by the State Electricity Commission. For a gold-coin donation you can go on a garden walk. If you are interested contact the general-store-cum-cafe/restaurant (Bogong Jack's Tavern) on the main road which also functions as an information and booking centre, tel: (03) 5754 1131. They can advise you how to best enjoy the local fishing, canoeing, horseriding, tennis and mountain biking.

Tawonga Gap
There is a rocky picnic and barbecue area at Tawonga Gap which affords fantastic views of the lush green Kiewa Valley and Mt Bogong. Head north along the Kiewa Valley Highway for 3 km then take the Bright turnoff on the left and it is 8 km to the Gap.

Mountain Creek Camping Area and Walks
Mountain Creek Rd heads east off the highway at the Bogong Hotel in Tawonga. It is 10.5 km to the Mountain Creek Picnic and Camping Area which is located at the base of Mt Bogong. As such it is the starting point for the Conquestathon Fun Walk to the top of the mountain on the Sunday of the March long weekend.

For those with more immediate and less ambitious wishes there are four shorter walks associated with the area. Follow the main road across the bridge over the creek and there are signposts indicating the starting points of two different walks. To the left is the start of the Shady Gully Walk (500 m) which meanders westwards alongside the fern-lined bank of the creek. On the right is the Tree Fern Walk (2 km) which heads east along the creek before crossing a footbridge and meeting up with the Mountain Creek 4WD track. At this point you can return to the picnic area via the 4WD track or continue eastwards along what is known as the Black Cockatoo Walk after the birds which excavate holes in the tree trunks hereabouts in search of moth larvae. This trail also rejoins the 4WD track which will return you to the picnic area

The last trail is the Peppermint Walk. Follow the aforementioned 4WD track, which heads east from the picnic area, for 1 km to the 'Peppermint Walk' signpost. This trail, marked by orange triangles, forms a semicircle on the southern side of the 4WD track. It meanders through a peppermint forest to a management vehicle track which leads to a ferny creek and back to the picnic area. Watch out for kangaroos and wallabies.

Trappers Gap Road
After Mountain Creek Rd crosses over the bridge it swings to the north. From this point it is known as Trappers Gap Rd, a dry-weather thoroughfare which heads north-east, linking up with Mitta Mitta on the Omeo Highway (50 km). This pack track was created by cattle workers who drove their livestock from the Mitta Valley to the higher country in the summer months.

Horseriding
Bogong Horseback Adventures offer trail rides in the national park in summer and all-year riding in the Kiewa Valley. They operate out of their farm, 4 km east of Tawonga along Mountain Creek Rd, tel: (03) 5757 2849.

Activities
Roadknights High Country Guides offer day tours of the alpine country with naturalist guides, mountain biking, walking, 4WD tours, mini-bus tours, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, tel: (03) 5757 2257. Bogong Jack Adventures offer nordic ski instruction and touring, snowshoeing, cycling, fishing, walking, horseriding and 4WD tours, tel: (03) 5721 2564. Pyle's Coaches also run 4WD tours out of the ski season, tel: (03) 5754 4024.

	Tourist Information
	Alpine Discovery Centre 31 Bogong High Plains Rd Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 1962 or 1800 111 885
	Motels
	Allamar Ranch Motor Inn Kiewa Valley Hwy Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4365 Rating: **
	Beriki Motel Tawonga Cres. Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4145 Rating: **
	Bogong Moth Motel Kieway Valley Hwy Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4644 Rating: **
	Snowgum Motel Kiewa Valley Hwy Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4508 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Mt Beauty Homestay Holidays 1 Buckland St Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 1301 Rating: ***
	Valley View Lodge Guesthouse Allamar Crt Tawonga South Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 1033 Facsimile: (03) 5754 1033 Rating: ****
	Apartments
	Alpenhorn Holiday Apartments Kiewa Valley Hwy Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4133 Rating: ***
	Carvers Log Cabins Holiday Apartments 16 Buckland St Tawonga South Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4863 Rating: ***
	Snow View Holiday Apartments Simmonds Creek Rd 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4733 Rating: ***
	Holiday Homes & Units
	Mt Beauty Holiday Centre Kiewa Valley Hwy Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4396 Rating: **
	Cottages & Cabins
	Kangaroo Cottage Simmonds Creek Rd Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 1222 Rating: ***
	Kiewa Country Cottages Simmonds Creek Rd 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4004 Facsimile: (03) 5754 1255 Rating: ***
	Montana Holiday Cottages Allamar Crt Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4962 Rating: ***
	Lodges & Chalets
	Baenschs Lodge 16 St Bernard Dve Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4041
	Caravan Parks
	Mt Beauty Holiday Centre Kiewa Valley Hwy Tawonga South Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4396 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Allamar Ranch Motor Inn Kiewa Valley Hwy Tawonga South 3698 Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 4365
	Mt Beauty Workmans Club Chinese & Australian Restaurant Lakeside Ave Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 1243
	Valley View Lodge Guesthouse Allamar Crt Tawonga South Mount Beauty VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5754 1033 Facsimile: (03) 5754 1033