Introduction

In recent times I've made two trips up along the Snowy River. The first time was to rejoin my beloved Rain who had been in Canberra during the Covid border closures. The other as part of a road trip to pick up a camper van in Canberra and take it across the Snowy Mountains.

Buchan

Buchan is a small little town nestled in a very pretty valley. Its the last stop before heading up into the mountains so remember to stock up!

Its famous for its caves include the famous fairy cave. However on both trips I was unable to enter them. The first time because of Covid restrictions, the second cos I needed to book.

Still I managed found some other not so quite famous caves to poke around and check out the countryside.

Gelantipy

North of Buchan the road climbs up into Gelantipy. A small farming community perched on a bit of flat land surrounded by forests and gorges.

I was on a side road taking photos of the abandoned house I was taken back by the sounds of gunfire. A bit further down the road I find a group of people having a shooting day on a farm. Phew, guess it wasn't me being too nosy.

Tulloch Ard Gorge

Follow that side road a bit further and finally a view of the Snowy River snaking through Tulloch Ard Gorge. There is a lookout over the gorge but suffice I can do a bit better than that.

McKillops Bridge

Next I took a little detour down McKillops road. There are more lookouts, views across the mountains and pretty little streams as it winds back down to the Snowy River.

Its steep, winding and a sharp drop of to the side. Its considered one of the most dangerous roads in Victoria.

Down the bottom of the valley is McKillops Bridge.

It was built between 1931-36 and is the only bridge over the Snowy River for a long way. The deck is 255 metres long and stands high above the river.

Downstream are the remains of the original McKillop Bridge washed away in 1934, a day before it was due to be opened. Wish I knew about that before I came so I could have checked it out!

Suggan Buggan

Heading back onto the Snowy River road the road crosses more mountains before descending into Suggan Buggan. We are now well into the mountains, 80 kilometres past Buchan. Another small farming community, it features the Suggan Buggan Historic Schoolhouse.

The school was built by one of the local farmers for his children. Even with the fire place it seems like it would be mighty chilly in winter.

Barry Way

On the border of Victoria and New South Wales we hit the Barry Way. Here the road follows the river at the bottom of the Valley.

Its this piece of road that's brought my out here twice. Its been a long day and as the sun sets below the mountains, it does not disappoint.

I have so many incredible photos its hard to choose which ones to post. In a strange way it seems hard to believe I took them, or I was at this place.

Wallace Gragie Lookout

The next morning the clouds have descended. Here the Barry Way departs the Snowy River and follows Jacobs River up to Wallace Craigie Lookout.

The road is pretty much one-lane wide as it winds its way up the valley. There is no where to stop, but as there is no other traffic I duck out to take some shots on the way.

At the top you can look back down the valley and the clouds I've just climbed out of.