I’ve officially left the valley and continued my journey along the Great Alpine Road, heading back toward the coast. Mother Nature had other plans for the “scenic” part of the drive, though—as I climbed, the rain set in and a thick, moody fog began to swallow the landscape.
I kept a steady pace as the road wound its way up from Bright to the village of Mount Hotham. Standing at 1,750 meters, I was right in the heart of the high country, but the fog was so dense that the famous mountain peaks were completely hidden away. It felt like driving through a cloud!
From the summit, the road began its long descent toward the historic village of Omeo. This town has a real “frozen in time” feel, with the main street lined with beautiful old buildings. Omeo has survived its fair share of drama, from earthquakes in the late 1800s to the devastating Black Friday bushfires of 1939. Walking past the historic bank, you can feel the resilience of the place. I would have loved to capture some photos of the architecture, but the rain was coming down so hard I had to keep the camera tucked away!
The descent didn’t stop there. I kept pushing south until the mountains finally gave way to the coast, landing me in the quiet little village of Marlo.
Nestled in the Gippsland region, Marlo is a hidden gem known for its stunning beaches and epic fishing. It sits right near the mouth of the legendary Snowy River, where the fresh water finally meets the salt of the Southern Ocean. After the misty heights of the Alps, the sound of the crashing waves feels like a warm welcome back to the coast.
Next stop: Exploring the mouth of the Snowy River—hopefully with a bit of sunshine!
