The Great Alpine Road is a 308-kilometre route that extends from Wangaratta in the north-east to Bairnsdale in the heart of Gippsland. The road is Australia’s highest year-round accessible sealed road and winds past lofty mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, vineyards and farms. Sample local food and wine, and fish, cycle, climb or ride along the way.

The national parks and reserves of High Country protect some of the most spectacular natural areas in the state.

Alpine National Park is the largest, with some of Australia's most outstanding alpine landscapes, rocky escarpments, snow gum woodlands, alpine plains and Victoria's highest and best-known peaks including Mount Feathertop and Mount Bogong.

The rugged plateau of Mount Buffalo is Victoria's oldest national park and is famous for its massive granite tors, plunging waterfalls and cliff-top views.

Other parks offer the opportunity to explore the original Box Ironbark forests and many historic sites that reveal the region's gold rush and early pioneering past.

Submit to the riches of the High Country, where internationally lauded wines flow over innovative meals prepared by passionate chefs, fresh produce is bountiful and village locals offer warm welcomes.

Knock on a King Valley cellar door, where dynamic vintners in family wineries set trends with Italian varietals. Match prosecco, nebbiolo or sangiovese with rustic Italian cuisine made by enthusiastic, entrepreneurial families.

Visit diverse wineries throughout the High Country's eight wine regions, not missing revitalised vineyards in Rutherglen, where emerging winemakers draw on family tradition to continue to produce world-beating fortified wines.

For at least 20,000 years Aboriginal tribes have been living and travelling around the High Country, making the annual trek in summer to feast on Bogong Moths.

Explorers Hume and Hovell were the first Europeans to discover the region in 1824. Gold prospectors were next to arrive, seeking their fortunes. They were followed by the infamous bushrangers and their daring exploits. Cattlemen also set up home, driving their herds to the alpine grasses and leaving the legacy of the huts they built as shelter.

The region's heritage, reflected in streetscapes and mountain huts and picturesque townships, also inspired some of Australia's most endearing legends including bush poet AB 'Banjo' Paterson's 'The Man From Snowy River' and bushranger Ned Kelly.

The stunning mountains, valleys, lakes and waterways and rich heritage of this region provide an inspiring setting for a host of exciting adventure activities including four-wheel driving, boating and sailing, bushwalking, canoeing, kayaking and rafting, horse riding, mountain biking, rock climbing and abseiling, skiing and snowboarding.

To plan your Great Alpine Road holiday, visit www.visitvictoria.com/greatalpineroad