THINK VICTORIA’S HIGH COUNTRY AND MOST WILL likely think of the state’s far north east – the cycling mecca of Bright and its glorious surrounds - the iconic climbs of Buffalo, Hotham, Buller, Falls ... the legendary list goes on.
But just over an hour from Melbourne is the gateway to Victoria’s outdoor and adventure playground, an enormous region that, on a map, looks to occupy around a fifth of the entire State.
Taking in the expansive area from Kinglake and Marysville to Benalla and Rutherglen, then all the way across to Corryong, down to Falls Creek and Dinner Plain, over to Mt Buller and Mansfield, and all manner of quaint and fascinating towns, villages and attractions in between, you could spend months exploring the 30+ towns and villages plus wider surrounds of the region.
For road and gravel riders it's a dream destination that offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities, the only daily dilemma you’ll have here is choosing where to ride next, and what bike to take.
Many riders and readers will enter the region from the south, the easiest and most convenient access points from Melbourne, Adelaide and all places in between.
Driving down the seven hours from Sydney, we started our sojourn in the High Country’s far north, at the quaint village of Dartmouth, and gradually made our way well south to Mansfield.
Meeting up with ride buddy Karen Norris (AKA ‘LifeInAngles’ on Instagram), the trip started on a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sleepy little village
