Dargo High Plains

The road

The Dargo High Plains Road is one of the quieter ways into the Victorian Alps. The 55km climb from the small town of Dargo winds up through mountain ash into the subalpine zone and eventually onto the open snowgum plateau at 1,600m. On a clear day the plateau stretches from the Mitchell River headwaters to the south slopes of the Bogong High Plains in the north. The road surface is graded gravel for most of its length, with some rocky exposed sections near the crest. It connects with the sealed Mount Hotham Road at the top, making it a natural one-way exit or entry for high country loops. The descent back to Dargo goes through increasingly dense eucalypt forest. The upper plateau sections are above the treeline and exposed to weather change - carry warm clothing even in summer. The snowgum woodland on the plateau has an eerie quality in fog.

The region

Dargo is a small High Country town in the Mitchell River valley. It is 70km from Bairnsdale on the Princes Highway. The town has a general store, a pub and a small population of locals who work the cattle leases on the surrounding mountain country. The Mitchell River National Park downstream from Dargo is one of the most undervisited parks in Victoria.

Before you go

Fuel in Dargo. The road is closed when snow falls - typically June to October. Check VicRoads conditions before travel. No phone coverage above the mountain ash zone. The road is single lane in many sections with limited passing opportunities. The gravel surface can be soft after rain - high clearance is more important than 4WD for most conditions.

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