Baw Baw National Park is the perfect destination for a weekend trip out of Melbourne with that proper Alpine feel.

The national park is just 120 clicks out of the big smoke, but you wouldn’t know it, it feels a million miles away.

The park protects the picturesque Yarra Falls and Baw Baw Plateau and is bound by hauntingly beautiful snowgum forests which thrive in the region’s chilly climate.

The region is a popular skiing destination during the snowy winter months, while white water rafting, canoeing and alpine fishing are the most popular pastimes during spring and summer.

STUFF TO DO

4WDING goes down on the parks winding logging routes and network or unsealed sidetracks. Low Saddle Track and Beardmores Track are definitely worth a look on the way to check out the scenic Thomson River.

FISHING: Brown trout are the primary quarry in the area and are an excellent prospect on fly or lure in either of the park’s two major rivers as well as the smaller streams.

BUSHWALKING: The Beech Gully Nature Walk starts from the Mount Erica carpark and takes only 30 minutes. The Mount St Gwinear walk is a more challenging six-kilometre hike through snowgum forests to the summit of Mount Gwinear.

IMPORTANT INFO

LOCATION: Baw Baw National Park is located 120km east of Melbourne and 30km to the north of the Latrobe Valley.

CAMPING: A camping area with basic facilities including fireplaces, picnic tables and long drop toilets is located on the banks of the Aberfeldy River, while bush camping is allowed on the Baw Baw Plateau.

FUEL is available at Melbourne and Longwarry.

MORE INFO is available at www.gippslandinfo.com