Day 14: The Great Alpine Road lived up to its name today. We started from our camp for the last two nights at Buchan and joined the road at Bruthen. The first section took us through rolling hills of pasture and bush. Stopping at a town called Omeo to grab some provisions we got tempted into little bakery for a coffee and cake stop.

Elevenses over we headed off from Omeo. Now the terrain became more mountainous. We headed up and up with switchbacks and tight bends as the road clinged to the mountainside. The top came eventually at Mt Hotham, a ski resort in the winter. This section of the Great Alpine Road is the highest sealed road in Australia at 1840m above sea level.

The road traverses a ridge rounding some higher peaks and giving access to more ski runs and chair lifts for the winter. We pulled in at several spots to enjoy the view, and to let Buddy cool down.

Heading off down from the summit the road was twisty and steep. The warning signs of approaching bends seemed to recommend ever slower speeds, down to 20kph for some hairpins. Down and down the driving was tough but rewarding, but there was little chance to enjoy the views.

This mountain section was enjoyable in the van, but I wondered how much fun it would be in a car designed for speed.

Reaching the bottom and a town called Harrietville we rewarded ourselves with ice cream for a drive well done. It was welcome in the heat of the afternoon, last nights rain and an overcast morning now long gone.

Onwards to the town of Bright, near to our campsite. We stopped to visit the info centre, and for a bit of a mooch. We followed a little route called the Canyon Walk which took us down the river past small cascades (where we had a paddle) and along the river bank between rock cliffs.

Back to Bright and we called in at the Bright Brewery, to enjoy a relaxing schooner, and to collect provisions!

Heading to our campsite it turned out to be further away than we thought up another 1500 metres or so on a winding mountain road. Camping at Lake Catini another national park campsite in an amazing location. After a cup of tea we decided to have a stroll before tea - Caroline frog marched up to the highest point and we were rewarded with stunning 360 panoramic views of the Australian Alps and a sunset to boot.

On the way back down there was plenty of wombat evidence (poo on a log) and little wombat footprints, but sadly no sightings here as yet. Made a fine meal of Spag Bol, washed down with our Bright Beer and an evening enjoying the starry clear skies.