The Alpine High Country
Snowy Mountains
The Alpine
High Country
The Alpine High Country, with its stunning range
of Festivals and Events, offers something for everyone.
Spring
Average valley temperature 19C (expect 5-10 degrees cooler for alpine areas).
In Spring, melting snow swells our rivers, creating thrilling rides for white water rafters, canoeists and kayakers... Orchards are a mass of blooms and stately trees show the first signs of Spring's fresh green... Camellias and azaleas flourish in the alpine climate with gardens a mass of blooms. Visit the towns and villages of the Alpine High Country and experience the warmth of country hospitality.
- Allegro International Festival (October)
A celebration of cultural diversity, ethnic heritage and tolerance through film, music, food & wine. Myrtleford.
- Fine Arts & Photography Exhibition (October - November)
A delightful display of porcelain, fine arts and photography. Bright.
- Mitta Mitta to Mount Beauty Mountain Bike Challenge (October)
This 55km cross country endurance event through the Alpine High Country tests the strength and will of competitors. Mount Beauty.
- Bright Spring Festival (Last week October - first week November)
Celebrate the freshness of spring in Bright. Lots of activities, displays, garden tours and entertainment. Bright.
- Alpine Four Peaks Mountain Climb (November)
One of Australia’s premier cross country running events, participants scale four mountains in four days.
- Bright Rod Run (November)
Not for the faint hearted, this weekend sees a huge gathering of street rods from across the east coast in Bright to strut their stuff. A Show & Shine competition, vehicle displays and parades offer lots of opportunities for visitors to see these magnificent street rods.
- Harrietville Blue Grass & Traditional Country Music Convention (November)
A low key event for the avid blue grass fan; jam sessions, workshops and performances from some of the top names in the game. Harrietville.
.... for accommodation bookings: Contact Us
Summer
Average valley temperature 28C (expect 5-10 degrees cooler for alpine areas)
Summer is the time for filling your picnic basket with local produce and lazing away an afternoon beside a cooling river or mountain stream... For crisp white wines with a freshly caught trout... For walking amidst carpets of alpine wildflowers... For fishing, swimming, riding, adventuring. Experience dramatic sunsets or rise early to watch the sunrise.
- Parks Victoria Summer Program (Alpine & Mt Buffalo National Parks)
An extensive range of fun and informative activities including history and heritage walks through the Parks.
- "Golden Spurs" Rodeo (Boxing Day)
The action will be hot at Myrtleford’s annual rodeo with some of Australia’s best riders on show. The program is full of exciting events for the whole family. Myrtleford
- Dederang Picnic Races (First Saturday after New Year's Day)
A traditional country race day full of fun and activity for everyone. Dederang.
- Bogong Cup Hang Gliding (January)
10 days of action, watch gliders from Australia & the world compete. See the spectacular colours of the gliders around Victoria’s highest peak. Mt Beauty.
- “A Taste of Falls Creek” (January)
Falls Creek’s popular fine food, wine and music festival is a feast for the senses. Wine tasting's, live music and a wide variety of gourmet food stalls. Falls Creek.
- Alpine Valleys Gourmet Weekend (January)
On Saturday, at the “Taste the Valleys” Festival, enjoy real high-altitude wines, an array of mouth-watering dishes, cooking demonstrations and a medley of live jazz and Irish music on the leafy banks of the Ovens River. On Sunday, the wineries, restaurants and farm gates open their doors to welcome visitors to a range of special events. Bright & surrounds.
- Falls Creek Triathlon (January)
A triathlon with a difference, participants start with a swim in Australia’s highest lake, followed by a mountain bike ride and finish with a cross country run through the picturesque village of Falls Creek. Falls Creek.
- Phoenix Cup (January)
The Phoenix Cup is the most exciting Masquerade event in Australia. Paragliders fly in amazing costumes from Mystic Launch & create spectacular displays for spectators at the landing site. Bright.
- Audax Alpine Classic Bike Ride (January - Sunday of Australia Day weekend)
The most popular ride on the calendar. It ventures through some of the most spectacular and challenging countryside in the Alpine region of Victoria. Bright & surrounds.
- Mile High Tennis Tournament (February)
The tennis social event that should be on everyone’s calendar. Falls Creek.
- Paragliding Championships (February)
An eight day competition not for the faint-hearted. Alternates each year from the Victorian championships to the National Titles. Bright.
.... for accommodation bookings: Contact Us Autumn
In Autumn the air turns crisp, the grapes are harvested and there's a tang of wood smoke in the air from the season's first log fires... The huge trees shading the villages shimmer with gold and copper which provide a carpet of colour on the ground, while up in the mountains the bushwalkers take their final treks of the season.
Average valley temperature 20C (expect 5-10 degrees cooler for alpine areas)
- Tobacco, Hops & Timber Festival (March - Labour Day weekend)
A celebration of the diverse local agriculture and the rich cultural heritage of the area. Myrtleford.
- Alpine Valleys Vintage Romp (March - Labour Day weekend)
Join the winemakers and food lovers of the Alpine Valleys for a three day romp in the hills…eat, drink, romp & stomp grapes! Myrtleford.
- Great Alpine Tour (March - Labour Day weekend)
Come and enjoy the exciting twisty bits of the Great Alpine Road and socialise with other motorcycle enthusiasts. Exhilarating rides are on offer with a range of day trips, combined with good entertainment and clean Alpine High Country air makes this event one not to miss. Dinner Plain.
- Alpine Discovery Festival - including "Up the Creek" (March - Labour Day weekend)
Jam-packed weekend including Hinnomunjie Races on Saturday, championship wood chop & “Up the Creek” 4WD Discovery Rally on the Sunday and Picnic Races at Swifts Creek on the Monday.
- Omeo Rodeo (Easter Saturday)
Rodeo riders come from across the country to compete in this traditional Easter Saturday event. A full program of events and activities will keep everyone entertained from mid morning to sun down. Omeo.
- Geebung Polo Match at Dinner Plain (Easter Sunday)
A great family day of entertainment and spirited riding displays based on the poem by Banjo Paterson. The Cuff ‘n’ Collar polo team herald from the city to challenge the Geebung Team of skilled mountain horsemen in this epic action event staged in the front paddock of Victoria’s largest cattle station. Dinner Plain.
- Bright Autumn Festival (last week April - first week May)
Two weeks of festivities and local hospitality in the fresh mountain air during the spectacular Autumn season. Bright.
- Mount Beauty Music Muster (April - first weekend of Bright Autumn Festival)
Celebrating the heart of the high country, a gathering of musicians, dancers, poets and folk from the region and around Australia. A combination of all kinds of music for every taste from classical to nonsense, based on a folk festival format. Mount Beauty.
- Autumn Art Exhibition (April - May)
This prized art exhibition is a major event on the art calendar in Victoria. Over 800 paintings are shown and prizes awarded in the sections of oils, watercolours, miniatures, pastels and ‘other mediums’. Bright.
- Bright Autumn Festival "Gala Day" (Middle Saturday of Autumn Festival)
A day of celebrations featuring a traditional parade with floats, scenes and sets from across the community. Bright.
- Wandiligong Nut Festival (May)
A celebration of nuts combining nut harvest festivities with comedy for an hilariously fun weekend. Wandiligong.
.... for accommodation bookings: Contact Us
Winter
Average valley temperature 12C (expect 5-10 degrees cooler for alpine areas).
In winter, skiers and snowboarders head for the alps as the snow creates a magical landscape and a playground of adventure... But you do not need to ski to enjoy the season. Drive to an alpine village for a romantic dinner, stay for a night and take in a snow shoe tour the next day. Meanwhile, the cafes, restaurants and wineries around the villages will welcome you with warming red wines and winter dishes created from local produce.
Please note: Chains must be carried at all times during the snow season from June-October (in the mountains). These are available for hire from various outlets in the region. Just ask a local!
- Omeo Back to Back World Wool Challenge (June Long Weekend)
Australia's finest wool competition and exhibition. Omeo.
- Snow Season Opening Weekend (June Long Weekend)
A fun filled weekend heralding the start of the winter season. Celebrate with parties, great value accommodation and tickets.
- Mt Hotham to Dinner Plain Cross Country “Pub to Pub” Race (August)
A 14 km race for everyone from the fiercest competitors to the novice between these two villages and from pub to pub.
- Crystal Creek Sled Dog Challenge (August)
Australia’s only on-snow sled dog event. Dinner Plain
- Kangaroo Hoppet International Nordic Race (Last Saturday of August)
Race 1 of the Worldloppet Series. Largest international ski event in the southern hemisphere. Falls Creek.
.... for accommodation bookings: Contact Us
Snowy Mountains
The Kosciusko Alpine Way doesn't have an off-season. With areas and events that are active at any time of the year, there is always something happening along the way.
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