Omeo

Omeo, a pioneering mountain town on the Great Alpine Road in Gippsland is renowned for its gold mining history, high country cattle grazing and historic buildings. Many of Omeo's historical buildings have been preserved in the A.M. Pearson Historical Park and offer a sense of what life was like in the late 1800s in a booming gold mining area. See the town's original courthouse (1865), post office (1890s), gaol built of logs (1858), blacksmith shop, stables and waterwheel. The wine and gold drive from Omeo or Swifts Creek takes in the Cassilis historical area, once among the richest goldfields in the state. Walk or drive from the Omeo township to the Oriental Claims historic area, which remains the highest alluvial gold field in Australia. Omeo's rich history is matched by the magnificence of its scenic attractions. Just outside the town on the Great Alpine Road you can take in panoramic views of the Victorian alps and surrounding countryside at the Kosciusko Lookout. The Mitta Mitta River's waters provide excellent trout fishing opportunities as well as white water rafting adventures. You can also drop a line in the Cobungra River. Take a walk over the Bogong High Plains and see majestic spring wildflowers. Go four-wheel driving along the 17-kilometre Knocker Track for a different perspective of the landscape. Victoria's top snow resorts are a stone's throw from Omeo, which is just 40 minutes from Mount Hotham's famed downhill runs and Dinner Plain's cross-country skiing. Visit Omeo at Easter time for a weekend of equine activity, with the Omeo Rodeo and the Geebung Polo match both taking place. Omeo is 400 kilometres from Melbourne, or about four hours and forty minutes by car along the M1, the A1 and the Great Alpine Road.