Omeo Highway

The Omeo Highway is a 157 kilometre (km) road in eastern Victoria, Australia, connecting north-east Victoria to Gippsland over parts of the Victorian Alps. The Highway is the first gazetted highway in the State.

From the north, the road begins at a turn-off on the Murray Valley Highway about 5 km east of Tallangatta, and proceeds south above the floodplain of the Mitta River to the settlements of Eskdale, and Mitta Mitta. The road is unsealed, steep and twisty for a distance of 20.5 km, from 36 km south of Mitta Mitta to 7 km south of the locality of Glen Wills, although it is passable by conventional 2wd vehicles in summer.

The sealed road resumes between Glen Wills and Glen Valley localities, passes through Shannonvale and Anglers Rest, and terminates in the town of Omeo at a junction with the Great Alpine Road. The section of the Great Alpine Road from Omeo to Bruthen was formerly also part of the Omeo Highway. The total length of the current road is approximately 161 km.

The northernmost section of the highway is relatively lightly travelled, as most traffic from Wodonga takes an alternative initial route along the Kiewa Valley Highway and Lockharts Gap Road, meeting the Omeo Highway near Eskdale.

There are no substantial settlements between Mitta Mitta and Omeo, and therefore fuel is unavailable. Conditions in the mountains can change quickly and be harsh, particularly during winter. Snow is not uncommon in the winter season and may cause the road to be closed.

There are excellent scenic views along most of the road, making it popular with tourists. Due to winding nature of the road along the Omeo Highway, it is a common place for large groups of motorcycles to go riding. Riders and motorists alike should be aware as of January 26, 2012, there are several "blind corners" that do not have bitumen laid. Some of the corners consist of extremely loose gravel and dirt, providing a severe risk to motorcycle riders.

The Victorian Government has undertaken to complete the sealing of the Highway and extensive works are underway.

Read more about Omeo Highway:  Major Intersections and Towns, See Also

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    The highway leads to Heaven, but each finds his own way.
    Chinese proverb.