Road trip: Great Alpine Road

Next, travel north into the foothills of the Alps and the old gold mining centre of Beechworth. Take a stroll through its historic streetscapes and discover all kinds of treasures, from jewellery, homewares and designer clothing to honey based products at Beechworth Honey.

Have a picnic at Beechworth Historic Park among rocky granite outcrops, waterfalls and rockpools or stop in at Bridge Road Brewers for a tasting and lunch, then grab a complimentary “town bike” and explore the town on two wheels.

Continue the food bliss into the evening with the degustation menu at the hatted Provenance Restaurant, one of Beechworth’s many great eating possibilities. Book your overnight stay at 1860 Luxury Accommodation, a self contained luxury bed and breakfast in a restored historic timber slab hut.

Then head back south into the stunningly picturesque Ovens Valley and Myrtleford, a town shaped by graziers, gold prospectors, tobacco growers and the timber industry, but nowadays known for its grapes, hops, nuts, fruit, vegetables, cattle and burgeoning tourism scene.

Stop at Valley Nut Groves to sample walnuts from one of Australia’s oldest walnut farms or Gapsted Wines for a wine tasting and alfresco lunch in fabulous surrounds. Alternatively, park the car, hire a bike from Myrtleford Cycle Centre and take in the section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail that runs through the town to take stock of its wineries, farm gates and cafes.

Then take the walk up to the Reform Hill lookout for amazing views of the Alps before dining on authentic wood fired pizza at Bastoni Pizzeria. Greatview Holiday Spa Retreat for Couples is a luxury studio apartment with a spa and amazing views. Motel on Alpine offers clean comfortable and affordable accommodation in a central location.

Then descend from the ranges back to Porepunkah for a hearty boutique pub feed in a lovely riverside location at Punka Pub.

Manna Gum Escape has options of a luxury three bedroom home with a pool or, for couples, a romantic studio cottage.

Make the run east into Bright, park the car and stroll to Ginger Baker Wine and Food for breakfast in a fetching setting surrounded by elm trees and waterfalls. The next step is up to you in this famous alpine town. Hire a mountain bike and tear up Bright’s MTB Trail network. Ride a horse or paddle a kayak or canoe down the Ovens River. Hike up to the Tower Hill Lookout to appreciate its majestic north and east views or see things even more memorably with one of the local hang gliding and paragliding operators. If you’re not feeling energetic, just kick back by the Ovens River or indulge in some retail therapy at Bright’s wide variety of shops and boutiques.

Amid it all you’ll need to eat and there’s an abundance of choice. Relax with a craft brew and matched fare at Bright Brewery, wines and tapas at Walker Bros Wine Bar, contemporary American/Mexican food at Tomahawks or just stop in at Rok Salt Fish and Chippery and eat your conquest down by the river. Or learn how to turn out great cuisine yourself with a class at Simones Cooking School. NRMA Bright Holiday Park has variety of competitively priced accommodation options in a lovely river location. Modern facilities here include a camp kitchen, two playgrounds, heated outdoor swimming pool with spa, free minigolf and free kids’ activities in holiday periods. Pets are welcome, too.