KIEWA VALLEY: BOGONG VILLAGE, DEDERANG, KIEWA, MT BEAUTY, TANGAMBALANGA, TAWONGA, TAWONGA SOUTH
Scroll beyond the links below for town information
The Kiewa Valley is about a 4 hour drive North East of Melbourne and runs from near Wodonga where the Kiewa River flows into the Murray River along the Vic/NSW border, all the way up to Mt Beauty, around 80kms upstream.
At the top of the valley, and the base of the highest mountain in Victoria, Mt Bogong (1986m), are the towns of Mt Beauty, Tawonga South and Tawonga. Tawonga and Tawonga South are small High Country farming towns and European pioneers of the area first farmed the Upper Kiewa Valley in 1841. By the 1860’s, several farming families were taking their cattle up onto the nearby alpine plains (Bogong High Plains) over the warmer months. They built huts and the snow pole line across this part of the alps and created many of the tracks, all of which are still used by bushwalkers today.
The small town of Bogong Village is about 15km drive up above Mt Beauty and about halfway to Falls Creek Alpine Resort, which sits on the edge of the Bogong High Plains. The road across these alpine plains is sealed (closed generally from June to Oct/Nov depending on snow conditions) and takes you all the way down to Omeo where it joins up with the Great Alpine Road. The towns of the Upper Kiewa Valley are an ideal base for enjoying Big Hill Mountain Bike Park in Mt Beauty, fishing the superb rivers and mountain streams and exploring the alps. A popular place to visit on the Bogong High Plains and a real ‘must see’ is visiting Wallaces Hut, built in 1889 in a picturesque and sheltered stand of ancient snowgums about a 10 minute drive from Falls Creek.
Bogong Village was originally built to house workers constructing the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme, which is the 2nd largest in Australia and employed over 4000 people from 1938 until the 1960’s. As part of the hydro scheme, Lake Guy was constructed and has now become a beautiful feature of the village. Only 17kms further along the road is Falls Creek Alpine Resort. Accommodation is no longer available but the village is a great spot for trout fishing and bushwalks. A visit to the nearby Fainter Falls is a highlight, especially after rain.
Mt Beauty was also a town constructed to house workers from the hydro scheme and their families. After the 1960’s, the local council took control of the town and many workers stayed on. Today the town has a population of over 1000 and includes many accommodation options, dining, cafes, retail stores. There’s a golf course and among the most spectacular views of almost any town in the High Country, directly up to Mt Bogong. The spectacular views can also be enjoyed from above, in a 2 seat glider, with the Mt Beauty Gliding Club.
The Mt Beauty Pondage, part of the hydro scheme, is not only a stunning place for a picnic and a walk with Mt Bogong reflecting off the water on a still day, but is popular for fishing, along with the Kiewa River below the Pondage. Trails have been opened that follow the river in parts and one must be aware that the Kiewa River water level can change quickly depending on releases from the hydro scheme water storages.
There’s a big variety of walks to enjoy across the district, from short town strolls to alpine hikes. A detailed guide book covering the walks around these towns and nearby alps, that also includes Myrtleford, Bright and surrounding towns, is available here
Tawonga South is only 2kms from Mt Beauty and has a variety of accommodation, food, wine and beer options and superb views of Mt Bogong and the surrounding alps. Ski hire and retail outlets, fuel and other services can all be found in Tawonga South, which is one of the original pioneering towns of this part of the High Country. The Kiewa River is a popular fishing destination and in this part of the valley the river wanders through picturesque farmland with a backdrop of the alps. Tawonga is a smaller town than its neighbour Tawonga South but also has offers food, accommodation and ski hire.
Further down the valley are the towns of Dederang, Kiewa and Tangambalanga. The lower valley is much wider throughout this area, with spectacular views and rolling landscapes. Dederang is a rural area with a country pub, a store and a few accommodation options. It is also the heart of this dairy valley, with rich pastures resulting in renowned dairy products.
Kiewa and Tangambalanga are only a few kilometres apart, with Kiewa being quite small and Tangambalanga being the main centre with a few stores, country pub and public swimming pool. These towns are also only about 20kms from the major border towns of Albury/Wodonga.
