Spectacular Bright, Mount Beauty and Beechworth

This southern loop leaves Albury to travel along the scenic Kiewa, Ovens and Happy Valleys. You will enjoy the glorious autumn leaf colours throughout the region and especially as you drive through the picturesque towns of Beechworth, Bright, Mount Beauty, Stanley and Yackandandah.

The day 1 route

We start by heading along the quiet roads in the Kiewa Valley before a drive up the delightful Glen Valley across to the splendidly named vicinities of Barwidgee and Mudgegonga. Passing the eastern end of the large Ovens pine plantation takes us to Rosewhite where we turn eastwards up the Happy Valley to Khancoona and back down into the Kiewa Valley.

The drive up the Kiewa Valley is a delight at any time but at this time of year we may even see snow on the top of Victoria’s highest peak Mt Bogong as we approach the township of Mt Beauty in the late morning. Turning west, we cross over the twisty Tawonga Gap and descend towards Bright for the lunch break.

From Bright, the tour takes in the full gamut of autumn colours as we pass Porepunkah, Eurobin, Ovens and Myrtleford on the way to the back road up to Stanley. The higher altitude at Stanley means this section of road should exhibit the very best of colour as we make our way to historic Beechworth and then to the iconic township of Yackandandah.

The day concludes with run through the flats (Osborne's Flat, Allan's Flat and Gap Flat Roads) past a strawberry winery and into Albury for a well-earned rest.

• Day 2 - Saturday - The Upper Murray and Tumbarumba
• Day 3 - Sunday - The Great River Road and Corryong