The Great Alpine Road Run

Essentially the trip will cover about 1860 km and comprises of:

• Melbourne (Mt Dandenong) to Beechworth
• Beechworth to Anglers Rest
• Anglers Rest to Thredbo
• Thredbo to Omeo
• Omeo to Omeo (or Dinner Plains)
• Omeo to Sale
• Sale to Phillip Island
• Phillip Island to Melbourne

TOLLS:   Gavin has completed all registrations for all cobras for the duration of the trip.   He will pay the total toll and then advise each driver how much they owe him.

• Load 3 cars Skippers Transport (side gate), 85 Sheffield Road Welshpool and truck departs for Melbourne.

Day 1 - Friday 22^nd November

• Fly from Perth to Melbourne on Qantas QF0770 at 6:40am.   All members flights to be booked on a group booking to made by Al.   (booked and confirmed)
• Transport from Melbourne airport to truck depot by maxi-cab and unload cars.    Some cars will still be in Melbourne after the completion of the Great Ocean Road Run two week earlier.
• Accommodation at the Healsville Motor Inn.
• Meet n greet with Cobra Car Club of Victoria.   (CCCV) (to be confirmed)
• Follow the CCCV to a venue about 30 minutes away for dinner.

Day 2 - Saturday 23^rd November

Today's objective is to drive between Melbourne (Healsville) and Beechworth, a total of about 284 km and an estimated 3:40 hrs driving.

• Breakfast is included at the Hotel.
• Depart Hotel at 9:30 am
• Healsville to Whitfield with morning tea in Yea (2:35hrs - 210 km)
• Lunch at Dal Zotto Wines in Whitfield
• Whitfield to Beechworth (1:00 hr - 75 km)
• Accommodation at the Carriage Motor Inn, 44 Camp Street.   Pay on check-in.
• Happy Hour.
• Breakfast is not included but there are many cafe's and the famous Beechworth bakery is a short walk away

Day 3 - Sunday 24th November

Today's objective is to drive between Beechworth and Anglers Rest along The Great Alpine Road, Bogong Road and Omeo Road, a total of about 167 km and an estimated 3:00 hrs driving but with stops may take 5 to 6 hours.

• Depart the hotel at 9:00 am for a day of spectacular scenery and fantastic driving on the Great Alpine road, the Bobong Road and Omeo Road.   The drive is Beechworth to Anglers Rest via Yakendandah, Mount Beauty and Falls Creek.   164 Km and approximately 3 hours driving but with lookouts and stops it may take 5 to 6 hours.
• Cruise towards Yakendandah then head for Dederang then follow the signs to Tawonga and Mount Beauty.
• Second Stop is Falls Creek following Bogong High Plains Road, 40 km about 53 mins driving.   We may want to stop along the way if we spot anything interesting.
• Lunch will be at the Blue Duck Inn, Omeo Hwy, Anglers Rest.
• The afternoon will be free time to explore the local area.
• Accommodation at the Blue Duck Inn.
• Happy hour.

Day 4 - Monday 25th November

Todays objective is to drive from Omeo to Thredbo all up 315 km and 5:00 hrs driving but with stops it will be about 6.5 hrs.   On entry to the National Park we will require a National Park Pass for $17.00 per day available on entry (1 day should do us as it's valid for 24 hours).

• Accommodation at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel includes a two course dinner and a full buffet breakfast.
• Parking in public car park outside hotel reception.
• Arrival time to be confirmed.
• Happy hour.
• Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5 - Tuesday 26th November

Today is a free day of leisure activities in and around Thredbo.

Leisure activities in Thredbo include but are not limited to

• Chair lift to Eagles Nest, last lift returns at 4:00 pm,
• Riverside Walk (8 Km return)
• Explore the village
• 9 holes of Golf
• Poppa nap
• Gather supplies for picnic lunch tomorrow.

• Accommodation at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel.  Breakfast is included.
• Happy Hour
• Dinner Venue to be confirmed.

Day 6 - Wednesday 27th November

Today's objective is to drive from Thredbo to Omeo, all up 381 km and 5:30 hrs driving.   This is likely to be a long day so and early start is suggested.

Meet at 7:50 for 8:00 am departure for wonderful scenic drive back along the Alpine Way.    This is a steep winding road so take your time and bring your coffee/thermos/drink.

Stop at points of interest along the way include:

• Scammell's Ridge Lookout, has picnic tables and toilets.  Follow Alpine Way for 58 km, 1:07 hr.

Following this we will then head to Corryong.   Continue on the Alpine Way and then Murray Valley Highway for 48 km and about 42 min, where we will stop for a picnic lunch (TBC), in the park beside the visitor information centre, weather permitting.

• The Man form Snowy River Museum. open 10:00 to 12:00 and 2:00 to 4:00 (optional) located 450 m from the park, entry fee is $4.00

Then it's on to Omeo.

Accommodation at the Golden Age Hotel.

• Happy Hour
• Dinner Venue to be confirmed.

Day 7 - Thursday 28th November

Today's objective is to drive from Omeo to Sale via Metung at total of about 220 km which should take about 2:50 hrs of driving.

• Morning Tea at the Bullant Brewery Bruthen
• Lunch at the Metung Hotel
• Accommodation at the Matadore Hotel
• Dinner at O'Neils Restaurant in Sale

Day 8 - Friday 29th November

Todays objective is to drive from Sale to Phillip Island, an estimated 227 km which should take us about 2:45 hrs of driving time.

Suggested leisure activities in the Phillip Island area are • Visit the National Vietnam Veterans Museum • Visit the penguins • Visit the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit • Poppa nap.

• Morning Tea somewhere along the south coast.
• Lunch at a venue to be advised
• Accommodation at Arthur Phillip Motor Inn.
• If time permits some leisure activities may include the museum at the Philip Island track and the Penguin Parade as the sun sets.
• Dinner at ... ?

Day 9 - Saturday 30th November

Todays objective is to drive from Phillip Island to Melbourne, at total of about 130 km which should take us about 1:30 hrs.

• Depart our hotel at 10:00 am
• An early check in may be required at our next hotel.
• Accommodation at the Burwood East Motel
• Free time on Saturday afternoon.
• Lunch and dinner venues to be decided.   May be a link up with the Cobra Car Club of Victoria for dinner.

Day 10 - Sunday 1st December

Today we will celebrate Marea's birthday with a leasurely drive to the Fergusson Winery and Restaurant in the Yarra Valley, a total distance of about 100 km return.    (refer John Murdoch)

• A small older style winery, 4 Stars,  (close to Yarra Glen town and famous Chocolatier and Ice Creamery)
• Tentative booking made for 1:30 pm (to allow buses to depart from group bookings)
• Cars can park nearby visible from restaurant approx. 30 ft away.   Alongside driveway is a grassed area. Will allow back wheels of cars on grass, front wheels on asphalt roadway, parked on an angle. Room for six cars.   
• Food:   Carvery 2 Courses @ $52 per head.

Day 11 - Monday 2nd December

Escape from Melbourne - See separate event....  Escape from Melbourne (Gavin Conn)

Acknowledgement

Preparation for this trip is very much thanks to both the Cobra Car Club of Victoria (Jeremy Bland) and the Cobra Car Club of NSW (Steve Wrigley).   Thanks to their club detailed run sheets and a handbook which provided the basis for this trip planning and run sheet.