Wombats & Wallabies: April 2025

There’s no better way to spend a combo birthday/Easter weekend than in the mountains. Tom and I made the most of the four-day break with a road trip to Bright, Victoria's adventure hub. Nestled within Alpine National Park, Bright and its surrounds are known for their beautiful valleys, snow-capped peaks, pristine rivers, bike trails—and at this time of year, stunning autumn color.

Apr 18 - 21

Day 1: Mt. Buffalo
Tom and I got an early start on Friday for the 3.5-hour drive northeast of Melbourne. We felt a bit sluggish after the long car ride, but rallied for three short afternoon hikes in Mt. Buffalo National Park. Mt. Buffalo has a rugged landscape of sheer cliffs, imposing granite tors, tumbling waterfalls, snow gums, and wildflowers. As you walk or drive through the park, you'll notice signs of past bushfires—but also the vivid colors of regeneration. Wildlife is plentiful, with lyrebirds, eastern rosellas, wombats, and swamp wallabies.

At 1,723 m (5,653 ft), the Horn is Mt. Buffalo's highest point with 360 degree views of the Victorian High Country. On a clear day, you can see alpine peaks like Bogong, Feathertop, Buller, and even Mt. Kosciusko across the New South Wales border (Australia's highest peak). The short hike to the summit takes about 30 minutes.

We also walked to the Cathedral, a striking granite tor that rises from the middle of the Buffalo Plateau.

Another highlight was the Gorge precinct, with its dramatic views of the 300 m North Wall and surrounding valleys. From here, we followed the Gorge Heritage Walk past Crystal Brook Falls and around to the cliff edge—set against that magical soft golden light only autumn can deliver.

We booked a room at a rustic farmhouse in Porepunkah, a small town at the base of Mt. Buffalo (and five minutes from Bright). After settling in, we headed to Bright Brewery. These small towns fill up over summer and long weekends—bookings are essential!

Day 2: Mt. Feathertop
Saturday was my birthday, and we kicked it off bright and early with an hour drive to Mt. Hotham. Perched high in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, Mt. Hotham is best known for its ski resort, but it’s just as stunning outside of snow season. Be sure to stop at Danny’s Lookout on the winding drive up the Great Alpine Road.

Our goal for the day was Mt. Feathertop, Victoria’s second-highest peak at 1,922 m (6,306 ft). While there are several routes to the summit, the Razorback Track is the most popular. This 11 km trail follows a dramatic ridgeline from Diamantina Hut all the way to the summit.

Despite its popularity, I was surprised to see a long line of cars snaking up the road at 8:30 am. With no trailhead carpark, parking can be tricky.

The trail follows a sharp, craggy spine through open snow grass and snow gum woodlands, passing over the rocky bluffs of Twin Knobs. It’s mostly rolling hills, but the 800 m of elevation gain makes for a solid effort.

The track is rocky and narrow, so be prepared to share the path!

It’s a spectacular hike—but also very exposed, so avoid it in poor weather and come prepared with sun protection in warmer months. Cool, crisp weather made for perfect hiking conditions.

The summit was blissfully quiet. Layered mountain peaks stretched endlessly—alpine beauty that might not rival Colorado or Oregon, but is arguably Australia’s best.

We finished the hike in 5.5 hours—doable as a day hike, though many backpackers camp overnight.

Back in Bright, we celebrated with Thai food and a well-earned rest. A birthday to remember!

Day 3: Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail

On Easter Sunday, with Tom scheduled for a training run, I set out on a solo adventure. I made my way to the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail—a 120 km stretch of sealed road linking the neighboring towns.

I walked the 6 km section from Porepunkah to Bright along the scenic Ovens River, chasing the autumn colors.

In addition to native trees, the area has oaks, elms, chestnuts, and tall pines—reminding me of Oregon!

At lunchtime, we made our way to Ringer Reef Winery, a family-run vineyard located on the site of a former goldmine in Porepunkah. Offering sweeping views across the Buckland Valley, this vibrant spot serves seasonal platters, a lovely selection of vegan wines, and has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Set on the banks of the Buckland River, the valley is lush with rolling farmland, nut groves, orchards, and vineyards nestled in the foothills of Mt. Buffalo.

The afternoon picked up with live music, and the lawn filled in with families spreading out picnic blankets.

Rain rolled in later that afternoon, and we rounded out the day with a quiet dinner at the Yard in Bright.

On Monday morning, we stopped at Sale e Pepi Deli on our way out of town—a quaint Italian cafe with top-notch coffee. Alpine National Park is likely my favorite place in Australia. On the drive home, I was already plotting the next trip back—hello, Mt. Beauty!

By early April, the mornings were crisp. Coming from Portland, where summer ends in a dramatic blaze before surrendering to six months of gray, the Melbourne climate is a softer blend, with nice days sprinkled through the cooler months.

Daylight saving time ended the first weekend of April, giving us earlier sunrises and cozy evenings. The shift’s been a nudge toward more productive mornings—especially with weekly bay swims still in rotation. As the water temperature begins to drop, I’m holding off on the wetsuit for as long as I can.

Tom’s deep into training for a running event in May, which meant a spontaneous Saturday trip to the Yarra Valley's Dandenong Ranges for some hill work. The Dandenongs are about an hour east of Melbourne. While we've explored the area before, it was our first visit to Olinda.