Things to do
SIGHTSEEING
Hit the road
Omeo is perfectly located to be far enough away from the hustle and bustle, yet close enough to everything you could possibly want! Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
- Follow the route of the early settlers on the Omeo Plains Settlement Drive, the birthplace of Gippsland, to Omeo Station, Mt Leinster, Penders Court and Springvale
- Head out bush to Limestone, Native Dog, Cobberas, Davies Plain, Tom Groggin and explore all parts of the Alpine National Parks. Check out www.parksweb.vic.gov.au for latest information on roads, track and camping areas
- Head to the Great Alpine Gallery. Composed of a gallery space featuring rotating displays of the work of local artists, as well as a number of special exhibitions each year, it’s well worth a visit.
- Take a bus to Mt Hotham and enjoy a hot chocolate with marshmallows while relaxing in a local café. Enjoy the snow without going skiing!
- Head to Mt Kosciuzko lookout and see the view over the Omeo township. Well signed, it’s a beautiful drive
- If you want to stay in town, head down to Livingstone Park for a picnic, bbq or swim in the naturally formed waterhole. It’s literally just off the main street, and is a little hidden oasis!
- If you want to experience a unique shop that you won’t find anywhere else, head to the German Cuckoo Shop in Omeo! Definitely an experience not to be missed.
- Check out the ‘Nearby Towns’ below, it’s a much longer list that you could make a day or two of!
For further information or brochures, head to the Visit Omeo website or call in at the Omeo Region Visitor Information Centre, 179 Day Ave, Omeo.
Head to a Winery
A short drive will take you to the Cassilis winery where you can relax and enjoy tastings of the wonderful regional wines.
Ensay Winery and Vineyard is a family-owned small business nestled in the picturesque hills of the Tambo River Valley in East Gippsland, uniquely situated midway between the Gippsland Lakes and Mount Hotham on the scenic Great Alpine Road.
A little further you’ll find the Bullant Winery in Bruthen. The concept for the Bullant Brewery Bruthen is simple: to pair the best onsite brewed beer with the best regionally sourced food.
Put on Your Walking Shoes
Walk the Alpine Walking Track which crosses the mighty Mitta Mitta River via the impressive suspension bridge at Taylors Crossing. A great spot for a bbq, camping, fishing, canoeing and swimming. Nearby Kennedys Hut offers a good spot to drop in a line and watch the water run by.
Omeo Town Walks Map will guide you through town to learn more about the gold mining history. If you really want a full history lesson (with a beautiful walk to boot), the Oriental Claims walks is the best way to fully experience the journey.
Pack Your Rod
Get your fishing rod and try your luck at the local fishing spots. For tips, gear and a friendly chat, head down to the local fishing store at Big River Fishing and Outdoors.
If you just want to hit the road and go straight to the source, try fishing for Rainbow and Brown Trout in the Mitta Mitta, Morass and Gibbo River for the elusive big one in crystal clear rivers and mountain streams.
Go 4 Wheel Driving
Play a Round of Golf
The High Country doesn’t seem like it’s your typical golf haven, however you’d be surprised. You have two stunning golf courses to choose from!
First up is the local Omeo Golf Course. Omeo Golf Club has been serving the Omeo District community since 1908. The first course was located near the back of the hospital in town. The current course is in Stanley Drive Omeo. This course has grass greens and is next to a gently flowing trout stream.
Next, the Tambo Valley Golf Course. The course is nestled under Mt Bindi between Splitters Range and Nunniong Plateau and features pine trees surrounded by native bushland covered hills which rise steeply from the clear mountain waters of Junction Creek.
The course layout has been designed to fit the surrounding landscape and takes on a living quality as the seasons and weather aberrations create continual change in the course’s presentation.
White Water Rafting
Adrenalin pumping world class white-water rafting, 60 rapids classed from 2 to 4, including, Grave Yard, Dislocation, S bend, Waterfall and Gobler. Experience towering granite river gorges and the exquisite wilderness of the majestic Alpine National Park during your 19km rapid descent.
Head to this website and check it out.
Get Back on the Horse
If you feel like a horseback adventure, there’s no better place to do it than Victoria’s High Country. There is something about getting back to nature on a horse that takes you to another world. Check out this site for options.
Experience Dog Sledding
There’s really nothing quite like it… you’ve seen it on television and often thought ‘I’d love to do that!’. Well, you can!
Howling Huskys operate nearby out of Mt Hotham, and it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
You do need to book though, so visit the Howling Huskys website and get planning!
Snow Skiing
Needing no introduction, Mt Hotham is a hop, skip and a jump from Omeo and hands down, one of the most beautiful places to put your skis on and experience the Winter wonderland!
Check out everything you need to know for skiing on the mountain by clicking here.
If you want to hire chains to make sure you get there and back safely, do so at the Omeo Ski & Chain Hire here or go to Hoys Ski & Chain Hire, opposite the IGA Supermarket (phone 5759 2589).
Head Down to the Pump Track
Built by the best in the business, Common Ground Trails, Omeo’s brand spanking, new, world class pump and skills track will test beginners and experts alike. Ride through the endless loops of rollers, jumps and berms on the pump track or practise your jumps and downhill expertise on the skills track.
Both tracks are located walking distance from the main street of town at Livingstone Park, so it’s easy to grab a coffee or a bite to eat and keep riding. Are you ready to test your skills? Head to the website here for a map.
Participate in the Peaks Challenge Mountain Bike Race
Generally held in March each year, Peaks Challenge Falls Creek is a 235km loop ride starting at Falls Creek and riding up Tawonga Gap, Mount Hotham and through Omeo before heading up the back of Falls Creek.
The back of Falls will hit you like a tonne of bricks. With 200km in your legs, you’ll quickly learn why the climb is notorious amongst Peaks riders. It’s a steep and relentless climb with little reprieve. You can read more about the latest event by clicking here.
Participate in the Frostbite Gravel XL Mountain Bike Ride
For more details and to register, visit www.velogrammont.com/frostbitexl
Date: TBA
Distance: 180km / 105km
Gravel: 127km / 77km
Elevation: 3,700+m / 2,210+m
Start Time: 7.00-8.00am / 9.00-10.00am
Hit the Hills on your Mountain Bike (coming soon!)
The Omeo MTB trails design concept comprises more than 121 kilometres of trails, including long descending trails, looping cross-country trails and trails for beginners. Stage 1, will include 55 kilometres of cross country and gravity trails of varying difficulty for beginners to dedicated mountain bike enthusiasts. The summit of Mt Sam, just above Omeo, is the trailhead. Plans are already underway for events to be held on the trails once open and being only a small hop from other MTB destinations, we can’t wait to see the events calendar!
The trails are managed and funded by the East Gippsland Shire, the Commonwealth Building Better Regions Fund and the Victorian Government Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.
Be sure to book in your stay at Omeo Views once it’s open!