West Gippsland Hinterland Drive

Walhalla to Mt Baw Baw Alpine Village

47.5 km/30 miles, about 2 hours

There's much adventure to be had between historic Walhalla and the spectacular Mt Baw Baw Alpine Village.

Out bush or on the rapids

Discover the villages of Rawson and Erica and get back to nature with everything from 4WD tours and whitewater adventures to fishing and bushwalking.

Detour off the route and follow the signs to Thomson Dam, the largest of all of Melbourne's reservoirs and an amazing feat of engineering. Enjoy a break from driving and settle into a picnic lunch while taking in the scenery.

Back on the touring route, you'll begin your ascent up the unsealed South Face Road. Turn off on Mt Erica Road and head towards Mushroom Rocks, an impressive display of giant granite tors. Walk through the diverse and unspoilt landscapes of Baw Baw National Park to the rocks, a part of the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track that links Walhalla and Canberra.

Mt Baw Baw delights all

You'll finally arrive at Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort. There's something for everyone here, winter or summer. Hit the slopes on a bushwalk, try your hand at toboganning or skiing during the white season, or set out on a downhill biking adventure in the warmer months. To finish, slow it right down with a soak in the outdoor spa at Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort.

Mt Baw Baw Alpine Village to Neerim South

67 km/41 miles, about 1.5 hours

You'll eventually have to come down from Mt Baw Baw, but there are still plenty of sights to inspire you as you make your way to Neerim South, one of the most picturesque towns in Gippsland.

An ancient tree and a well-known bridge

Follow the tree-lined Mt Baw Baw Tourist Road through Icy Creek and Tanjil Bren, an old gold prospector's and logging village, until you reach Noojee. Here you'll find the giant Ada Tree – one of the largest trees in Victoria and believed to be nearly 300 years old.

Head into Noojee and take time out to enjoy camping, fishing, bird watching or bushwalking. Visit some of the historical and natural attractions in the area including the Noojee Water Wheel, the Ralph Cornwall Loch Valley Tramway Walk, Toorongo Falls and the famous Noojee Trestle Bridge.

Postcard-perfect Neerim South

Continue onto the Main Neerim Road to Neerim South, your last stop on this scenic touring route. In addition to jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery, Neerim South features galleries, sculpture gardens and access to cycling and walking tracks that criss-cross the surrounding countryside. Pick up regional wine, fabulous cheeses and super-fresh produce for the return trip to Melbourne or live a little and stay the night. Check in at Vue at Jindivick or Vivere Retreat for warm West Gippsland hospitality and more of those wonderfully verdant views.