From Omeo to Anglers Rest there is 25 km of very technical but rewarding twisties. As you climb away from Omeo you will find 11 linked bends of even radius and good road surface and width. Time to get your knees down. Beyond that the road needs all your attention - the surface is good but you will find a few bends with sand washed onto them and it is highly likely that oncoming 4WDs or towing vehicles will be cutting corners.
There are lots of campsites on the river and this is a popular place on long weekends and summer holidays. On the river side of the road many outside bends are slightly off-camber. There is no run off and the road is bounded by cliffs on one side and mountain sides on the other. No room for error.
You can progress North beyond Anglers Rest to the end of the black stuff at Glen Valley. Beyond Glen Valley (heading North) is about 30 km of gravel road in ordinary condition. There's one brilliantly sealed section to get your hopes up but then you're back to gravel before the bitumen resumes South of Mitta Mitta.
The gravel section reaches some altitude and in winter can be blocked when snowfalls are heavy. The views are magnificent though the road is not recommended for sports bikes. Once they seal this section, another fantastic loop will open up for the dedicated sports rider.
Anglers Rest to Falls Creek - Google Streetview available.
Fourteen kilometers after Anglers Rest you will see the Bogong High Plains Road on the left (39 km from Omeo) which is now sealed all the way to Falls Creek, allowing a magnificent 233 km loop to be completed taking in Falls Creek, Mt Beauty, Tawonga Gap, Bright, Harrietville, Hotham and Omeo. This is a perfect half (to three quarter) day trip out of Bright which can just be completed on one tank of fuel. It works best in the anticlockwise direction.
Climbing up from the Omeo River, the Bogong High Plains Road is steep and relatively narrow with lots of blind corners. The surface is often breaking up due to the poor quality road construction - a political promise based on delivery time rather than build quality. Nevertheless, over time the road will improve as each subsequent resurfacing is wider than the previous!
The road is heavily wooded (National Park) until you reach the High Plains where just before Falls Creek, the surprisingly large Rocky Valley Reservoir magically appears, the water supply for the town. It is very scenic so beware tourists stopping to capture the moment on "film".
The Blue Duck Inn at Anglers Rest is open most days and has been written up favourably. It is relatively expensive but given its isolation, not unreasonably so. But expect to wait for your meals - allow a couple of hours, particularly in summer when it is a popular rest stop.
Note: no fuel at Falls Creek; next fuel 30 km at Mt Beauty, ie Omeo to Mt Beuaty via Falls Creek: 105 km.
Last modified: Ben Warden, October 10 2010.