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Drives Victoria, Australia The Victorian High Country

Great Alpine Road: Omeo to Bairnsdale

Great Alpine Road, B500 · Omeo → Bairnsdale

Sweeping74 mi1 hr 40 min4,500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,500 ftOne way
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The drive

This is the eastern end of the Great Alpine Road: 119 km (74 mi) from Omeo, in the high country at 685 m, down the Tambo valley through Swifts Creek to Bairnsdale on the Gippsland plains. The road drops out of the Alps, so it eases from mountain bends to river-valley sweepers, and climbs about 4,500 feet in all along the way.

Omeo was a gold town: gold was found in Livingstone Creek in 1845, and the population peaked at about 9,400 around 1901. Swifts Creek, 28 km along, sits where Swifts Creek meets the Tambo River, with a hotel, general store, bakery and cafe. Ensay and Bruthen are also on the road before Bairnsdale. The Tambo River is known for trout fishing.

The drive continues from the Bright to Omeo drive. Motorcyclists often ride this road on weekends.

Along the way

  1. Omeo (Great Alpine Road)
  2. Swifts Creek
  3. Bairnsdale (Great Alpine Road)
Elevation
4,500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,500 ft
OmeoBairnsdale
Curves
Mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches
OmeoBairnsdale
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Swifts Creek has a hotel, general store, bakery and cafe, and Omeo has a supermarket and a hospital.
  • Motorcyclists ride this road at weekends, so expect them on the bends.
  • The Great Alpine Road's chain requirement applies between Harrietville and Omeo, not on this eastern section.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check VicTraffic.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Great Alpine Road from Omeo to Bairnsdale take?

The Great Alpine Road from Omeo to Bairnsdale is 119 km (74 mi) and takes about 1 hr 40 min without stops.

Is the Great Alpine Road from Omeo to Bairnsdale twisty?

It is mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches. The road follows the Tambo valley, so the bends are sweeping rather than tight.

What towns are on the Great Alpine Road between Omeo and Bairnsdale?

Swifts Creek, Ensay and Bruthen are the main settlements. Swifts Creek is 28 km from Omeo and has a hotel, general store and bakery.

Do you need snow chains on the Great Alpine Road between Omeo and Bairnsdale?

The chain requirement on the Great Alpine Road applies between Harrietville and Omeo, not on this eastern section.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Great Alpine Road: Omeo to Bairnsdale, from Omeo to Bairnsdale