The Victorian High Country has a way of getting under your skin.

No matter how many times you visit, how many tracks you drive, or how many campfires you sit beside, it always feels like there’s something more waiting just beyond the next ridgeline. For me, it’s those tracks that never deliver the same experience twice. Whether it’s shifting weather or changes in light, High Country tracks evolve with every season. But the feeling you get when you drop the tyre pressures, engage low-range and tackle mountainous tracks never fades.

Over the years, I’ve driven plenty of unforgettable tracks across Australia, but there’s a special kind of magic in the Victorian High Country. It’s a blend of history, raw terrain and big country that demands respect while rewarding you in ways few places can. These aren’t just tracks through the bush; they’re adventures that challenge your off-road skills, your route planning and sometimes your patience. And when it all comes together, High Country tracks deliver moments that stay with you long after you’ve packed the gear away at home.

JUMP AHEAD

Mount Pinnibar Track

There’s something about standing on top of Mount Pinnibar that makes you feel small in the best possible way. Sitting just shy of 1800m, it’s one of the highest points you can legally drive to in Victoria, and the views from the summit are hard to beat.

The drive begins with a water crossing of the Murray River – sometimes a challenge in itself – before the track leads you past Tom Groggin Station and the challenges become real. When the climb starts, everything changes. The track tightens, the surface becomes rougher, and you quickly realise this is not a place to rush. Low range becomes your best friend as you pick careful lines over loose rock, washouts and steep pinches that demand both patience and precision. If the track is wet, the clay makes the drive even more difficult.

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Mount Pinnibar is a reminder that the High Country does not hand out easy wins. This track is rarely maintained, and conditions can vary widely from season to season. One year it might feel manageable; the next, it can become a serious test of both vehicle and driver. I learned that the hard way a few years ago when I blew the rear diff in my Prado on this very climb. It was one of those moments that brings everything into sharp focus. Out here, there’s no roadside assistance. No quick fix. Just you, your mates, and whatever tools and experience you have on hand.

The first time I drove this track, I remember stopping halfway to take it all in. The higher you climb, the broader the views become. Valleys stretch away in every direction, and the air feels cleaner with every metre of elevation. By the time you reach the summit, the noise of the world feels a long way behind you, often replaced by the wind. Up here, even the snow gums are shaped by it.

Standing at the trig point and gazing across the High Country, you realise why this track is held in such high regard. It’s more than just a challenging ascent; it’s about gaining a perspective that few ever experience. This is one of those rare spots where you stay longer than intended, aware that you might not return for some time.

Clear Hills Track: Craigs Hut to Mount Stirling

Clear Hills Track is not just a scenic link between Craigs Hut and Mount Stirling. It is a genuine High Country challenge in its own right, and one that should never be underestimated.

Steep climbs test your gearing and momentum, while deep wombat holes and rough washouts force you to slow down and choose your lines with care. In places, the track feels raw and untouched, which only adds to the sense that you’re driving something real rather than a graded bush road. With seasonal closures in place, timing is everything here, and tackling it in the right conditions can make the difference between a rewarding drive and a long, hard day.

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Reaching the summit feels like a proper achievement, but the experience does not end when the engine switches off. A short walk leads to the trig point, where the views open right up across the alpine country. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Mount Hotham ski fields – a reminder of just how high and remote you really are. It’s the kind of spot that makes you linger a little longer, soaking in the silence and the scale of the landscape.

On the opposite side of the track, another short walk leads to one of the High Country’s most remarkable natural landmarks. Known as Australia’s Highest Tree, at 1725m, this battered snow gum has stood firm for decades against relentless alpine winds and brutal weather. Twisted, scarred and weathered beyond recognition, it feels like a living symbol of this place – tough, uncompromising and still standing strong. Standing beside it, you can’t help but draw parallels with the tracks that lead you here. They’re not easy; they don’t give much away, but they leave a lasting impression on anyone who takes the time to experience them properly.

Blue Rag Range Track

Blue Rag Range is a track everyone talks about – and for good reason. It’s raw, exposed and breathtaking in equal measure. From the moment you start the climb, you know you’re in for something special. The track wastes no time getting serious, with steep, rocky sections that demand full concentration.

As you make the climb with low-range locked in, the landscape changes dramatically. Trees thin out, the air cools, and suddenly you find yourself driving along a ridgeline, with nothing but open sky above and sweeping valleys below. On a clear day, the views from Blue Rag are unforgettable. You can see for what feels like forever, with layer upon layer of mountains rolling away into the distance.

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I’ve driven this track in different seasons, and it never disappoints. In summer, the alpine grasses glow gold in the late-afternoon light. In autumn, the colours deepen, and the air carries a crisp edge that tells you winter isn’t far away. No matter when you visit, Blue Rag commands respect. Weather can change quickly up here, and what starts as a sunny drive can turn into a lesson in humility if clouds and wind roll in.

The trig point is where you stop, step out of the vehicle, and stand quietly for a while. It’s not something you plan; it just happens, as the views from here demand. This is one of those tracks that reminds you why you bought a 4×4 in the first place. While the track continues down to the Wongungarra River, it is rated very difficult, with wombat holes, steep and slippery sections, and a level of risk few four-wheel drivers tackle.

Zeka Spur Track 

If you want a track that strips four-wheel driving back to its raw essentials, Zeka Spur is hard to beat. It’s steep, relentless and unapologetic in how it tests both the vehicle and the driver.

Dropping off the ridgeline, the track plunges toward the Wonnangatta Valley in a series of sharp descents that keep your heart rate up and your focus locked in. In dry conditions, it demands careful throttle control and steady braking. In the wet, it can become a completely different beast, with clay sections that turn slick and rutted, reminding you just how quickly things can go sideways in the High Country. Tackling it the opposite way is even more challenging, where traction, momentum and picking the right line are key to reaching the top.

I’ve always thought of Zeka Spur as one of those tracks that teach you respect – for gravity, for the weather, for your four-wheel drive’s limits and your own experience. There’s no room for complacency here; every corner and every pinch demands attention and good judgement.

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But for those who take it on with the right mindset, Zeka Spur delivers something special. There’s a deep satisfaction in reaching the bottom and knowing you’ve earned every metre of the descent. Having towed down Zeka Spur as a novice, this track quickly taught me how important electric brakes are on a camper trailer.

Once you reach the valley floor, the reward is immediate. The Wonnangatta River winds through open country and offers plenty of camping options along its banks, making it a perfect place to rest after a demanding run down the spur. These riverside camps are ideal for longer stays and give you the chance to truly soak in the atmosphere of one of the most iconic areas in the High Country.

If you’re pushing on toward the alpine areas again, Howitt Plain Hut is another popular campsite, but space here is limited. It’s best suited to a quick overnight stay or emergency shelter rather than a large group camp, especially during peak seasons when this part of the High Country sees plenty of traffic.

Linking Zeka Spur with the Wonnangatta Valley and the Howitt High Plains turns a tough track into a complete High Country adventure, blending challenging driving with some of the most memorable camping you’ll find anywhere in Victoria.

Bluff Track and 16 Mile Jeep Track 

Some tracks in the High Country give you scenery. Others give you a challenge. Bluff Track and the 16 Mile Jeep Track deliver both in a way that feels deeply connected to the history of this place.

Bluff Track is often the gentler introduction. The climb winds steadily through alpine forest before breaking out onto open ridgelines, where the views stretch across layer after layer of mountains. It’s not the most technical drive in the region, but it has a way of reminding you that altitude changes everything. The air cools, the wind picks up, and suddenly you’re very aware that you’re travelling through a landscape that can turn quickly if the weather decides to shift.

Then there’s the 16 Mile Jeep Track, which couldn’t feel more different. Where Bluff Track invites you to soak up the scenery, the 16 Mile demands your full attention. It’s narrow, steep and unapologetic, with rocky pinches and deep ruts that keep you working the wheel from start to finish. This is old-school High Country driving at its best. No shortcuts, no easy lines – just proper four-wheel driving that rewards patience and good judgement.

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What brings these two tracks together is Bluff Hut, sitting like a quiet sentinel over the alpine plains. Built in the 1950s as a shelter for cattlemen moving stock through the High Country, the hut quickly became an essential refuge in an unforgiving environment. In later years, it also served skiers and bushwalkers who needed protection from sudden alpine storms. The hut standing today is a faithful rebuild of the original, preserving both its history and its purpose.

Rolling into Bluff Hut after tackling either of these tracks always feels like arriving somewhere that matters. You can almost picture the stockmen of decades past riding in at dusk, cold and exhausted, grateful for a fire and four solid walls. These days, it offers the same comfort to four-wheel drivers who’ve earned their rest after a demanding run.

Pairing Bluff Track with the 16 Mile Jeep Track makes for one of the most satisfying combinations in the Victorian High Country. You get the raw technical challenge of the 16 Mile Jeep Track, followed by the sweeping views and flowing climbs of Bluff Track. Finish the day at Bluff Hut, and you have the full package – great driving, rich history and that unmistakable feeling that you’ve truly experienced this remarkable part of the country rather than just passed through it.

Essential information

Every time I head into the Victorian High Country, I come home with more than photos and muddy boots. I come back with stories – stories of fog lifting over a ridge at sunrise, stories of campfires shared with mates after long days behind the wheel, stories of tracks that challenged me and moments that humbled me.

Mount Pinnibar teaches you about commitment and reward. Clear Hills Track, from Craigs Hut to Mount Stirling, reveals the quieter beauty of the alpine world and its deep sense of history. Blue Rag Range reminds you how powerful and raw this country can be. Zeka Spur strips it all back to the basics, where steep country and hard driving demand your full attention. The 16 Mile Jeep Track and Bluff Track tie it all together in a journey that feels bigger than the sum of its parts.

This is why the High Country keeps calling you back. Not just for the driving, but for the feeling of being part of something older and wilder than ourselves. In a world that moves faster every year, these tracks invite you to slow down, look around and remember why adventure still matters.

And once you’ve felt that, once you’ve stood on a ridge with the wind in your face and the mountains at your feet, you’ll understand exactly why the Victorian High Country is not just a destination. It’s a way of life.

  • Nearest towns: Mansfield, Corryong, Omeo and Dargo are the main gateways into the High Country.
  • When to go: The best time to explore the High Country is from late November to April, when seasonal track closures are lifted. Summer offers long days and clear access, while autumn brings cooler weather and stunning colour. Always check local conditions, as weather can change quickly and snow can fall outside the winter months.
  • What to take: Compressor and tyre gauge; Tyre repair kit and basic tools; First aid kit; UHF radio; Plenty of water and food; Warm clothing, even in summer; Firewood, where permitted, or a gas stove.
  • Difficulty: These tracks range from moderate to difficult. A high-clearance four-wheel drive is essential, and low range is required on Mount Pinnibar, Blue Rag Range, Zeka Spur, Clear Hills and the 16 Mile Jeep Track. Drivers should be confident in steep terrain and prepared for changing weather and track conditions.
  • More info: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/alpine-national-park
  • Current track conditions and seasonal closures: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/safety-in-nature/seasonal-road-closures

The best camps in the Vic High Country

Lovicks Hut camp or Bluff Hut: Bluff Track

Iconic High Country campsite with open grassy flats and one of the region’s most photographed huts. A great social camp for groups, with plenty of space and a classic mountain atmosphere.

Wonnangatta River: Zeka Spur Track

Peaceful riverside camping with easy access to swimming and relaxed afternoons. A perfect spot to unwind after tougher alpine driving.

Pinnibar summit camp area: Mount Pinnibar

High-altitude camp with sweeping views across the High Country. Best suited to well-prepared travellers who are watching weather conditions closely.

Craigs Hut: Clear Hills Track

Craigs Hut makes a far better overnight stop. Camping below the hut gives you more space and a stronger sense of history, with the clearing offering a classic High Country camp setting that feels worlds away from the crowds.

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