MOUNT BEAUTY WALKS

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Tawonga Gap Ridge (South)

This ridge walk leads south from the scenic Tawonga Gap, and is a ‘there-and-back’ route of upto 14km (that is, about seven kilometres each way), but there is no need to walk this full distance.

The action starts by taking the Tawonga Gap Road to the Lookout, where there is a large roadside reserve, and a plaque that commemorates the opening of this road in 1896.

If you have the choice, this starting point is best approached from Bright; coming from Mount Beauty, great care is required as you need to cross to the ’wrong’ side of the road, and visibility is restricted by sharp bends. In any case, great care is required when crossing the bitumen to the start of the walk.

An alternative access point involves driving up from Mount Beauty, and then carefully swinging left onto the Tawonga Gap Track (which is rated as 4wd only) and then parking about 150m into this forest track. However, there is a hang-glider launch point along here, and you may want to drive a little further than this to avoid vehicular traffic.

Whichever length of walk is chosen, it is rated as AWTGS-3, and requires a formal set of walking shoes, as well as a copy of the Spatial Vision Map Bogong Alpine Area.

Setting off, the walking track follows a ridgeline, an undulating route with great views to the left, and right.

After a short distance there is a lookout over the Kiewa Valley, a scenic spot that can be used as an alternative starting point of the bushwalk.

Continuing on, the track meanders in the horizontal, as well as the vertical, and provides more great views, as well as passing through beautiful open forest.

Wildflowers are excellent in springtime/early summer, and there are plenty of places to enjoy morning tea and/or lunch.

Returning to the Tawonga Gap Road, take care if you have parked your car on the track; it is not safe to swing to the right at the bitumen.

COPYRIGHT © 1995-2022, Chris McLaughlin.