Victoria (Eastern Region)
Snowy River National Park
Turning right at Wulgumerang, about 55km north of Buchan, enables you to make a scenic arc through the northern end and around the eastern fringe of the Snowy River National Park, following the unsealed road towards Bonang (check road conditions in advance, as this is an unsealed road that can deteriorate badly in adverse weather conditions). Little River Falls are well worth a stop on this stretch: a short walk leads from the car park past snow gums to a lookout with breathtaking views of Little River Gorge and the falls. The view from the second lookout from the top of the northeastern cliff face of Little River Gorge is equally stunning (about 10min from the car park).
Further on, you descend to the valley of the Snowy River, which you cross at McKillops Bridge, set in the landscape that inspired “Banjo” Paterson’s famous ballad, “The Man from Snowy River”. The river’s sandy banks are a favourite swimming spot, and also the place to set out on a rafting trip through deep gorges, caves, raging rapids and tranquil pools; Snowy River Expeditions in Buchan (tel 03/5155 9353) offers good-value expeditions. 

If you want to play at being “the man from Snowy River”, contact Snowy Mountain Rider Tours, in Gelantipy, to arrange horse-riding (1hr $15; half-day $40) or an overnight camping trip; in addition they organize rafting, abseiling and rock-climbing adventures. The operators also run the Karoonda Park YHA (tel 03/5155 0220, fax 5155 0308; dorms up to $18, rooms $19–$45). Oz Experience buses pass through Gelantipy, the Wayward Bus stops here overnight on the Mountains and Rivers tour from Melbourne to Sydney.