The Buckland - Studio Retreat is located just 6 km off the Great Alpine Road in the Buckland Valley (12 km from Bright township) and offers the perfect accommodation base to explore the many attractions along one of Australia's most scenic touring routes...

The Great Alpine Road winds its way from Wangaratta in the north-east of Victoria to Bairnsdale in the heart of Gippsland. It is Australia’s highest year-round accessible sealed road and leads past impressive mountains, green valleys, ancient forests, crystal clear rivers and a mutlitude of vineyards & cellar doors and farms, which sell their produce at farm gate. Take some time and sample local food and wine and admire the mountain vistas along the way. The Buckland – Studio retreat is the perfect base to explore the Great Alpine Road from Wangaratta to Omeo. Head out in the mornings, discover and experience the High Country and come back in the evenings to your luxury acommodation at The Buckland.

Wangaratta — Bright (distance 80 km)

The Great Alpine Road starts (or ends, depending on your view point) at Wangartta at the point where you get of the Hume Freeway. It doesn't directly lead through the gourment region around Milawa, but it is certainly worth a detour to call in at the long established and acclaimed Brown Brothers vineyard and cellar door and sample great produce at Milawa Mustards and the Milawa Cheese Factory (also famous for their breads baked on the premises and the attached "Ageing Goat Bistro"). Take anoher detour to Beechworth, a small township built on the wealth of the gold rush of the 1800s. Explore the historic granite buildings, including the courthouse where bushranger Ned Kelly’s final trial began. Back on the Great Alpine Road, a stop at Range Restaurant in Myrtleford is almost a must: only established in 2006, yet already a highly acclaimed gourmet spot for lunch or dinner (2 Chef's hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2008 and nominted Country Restaurant of the Year 2008).

Mount Buffalo National Park offers everything from gentle walks to see waterfalls, impressive granite boulders and cliffs with lookouts presenting great views of the Alps to adrenalin inducing abseiling or caving adventures. Or try something vigorous such as mountain bike riding, rock climbing and, in winter, cross-country or downhill skiing (downhill skiing at Mt Buffalo with its gentle slopes is great for beginners).

At the roundabout in Porepunkah, head down Buckland Valley Road for 6 km. You will pass Michelini's and Devil's Creek vineyards and just before Devils' Creek you’ll find The Buckland – Studio Retreat on your left, nestled in the side of the hills.

From Porepunkah it is another 6km to Bright, a beautiful town on the Ovens River, boasting lots of country charm and filled with grand deciduous trees that erupt in a riot of colours in autumn. Bright is also home to Simone’s, one of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in country Victoria and many other eateries and cafes. The Bright Brewery is a more recent addition to the streetscape, with an outdoor seating area overlooking the river always a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

Bright — Omeo (distance 110 km)

Another day to experience another leg of the Great Alpine Road: from Bright it leads via Harrietville to Mount Hotham, one of Victoria's premier ski resorts. Alpine ash changes to gnarled snow gums and heathland as you climb the serpentines. Mount Hotham has 245 hectares of ski area, including a wide selection of downhill and cross-country trails for beginners as well as experienced skiers. Enjoy the sweeping views from Danny’s Lookout to the summit of Mount Feathertop, the second-highest mountain in the state, and on a clear day over the Alpine National Park and as far as Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo. Just south of Mount Hotham lays Dinner Plain, a small alpine village with chalets designed to blend in with the surrounding snow gums. Further on in Omeo, you will find the only shop in the Alpine High Country exclusively selling Cuckoo Clocks.

If you continue from here to Bairnsdale, this may be an alternative route for your way back to Melbourne through Gippsland via the Princess Freeway. Distance from Omeo to Bairnsdale is 120 km, from Bairnsdale to Melbourne 280 km.

For a round-trip which can be mastered in one day if you start early (check for seasonal closing of the road between Omeo and Falls Creek), turn off the Great Alpine Road in Omeo and head towards Angler's Rest. The Blue Duck Pub is famous and the scenery spectacular. From Anglers Rest make your way through heathland on the high plateau to Falls Creek (unsealed windy road, but 4WD normally not necessary). A multitude of look-outs and walking tracks on the way offer spectacular views and access to some of the oldest huts in the Alpine National Park. From Falls Creek (sealed road) head down to Mt. Beauty and from there over the Tawonga Gap back to Bright and the Buckland Valley. Total traveling distance Bright - Omeo - Falls Creek - Mt. Beauty - Bright is 245 km (about 6 hours round trip, a long day driving but certainly worth it).