From Adelaide (11 hours) ~
Cross country to Benalla then take the Hume Freeway (M31) north until you reach the twin BP/McDonalds service centres about 5km past the Glenrowan exit. Turn off 1km past the centre on your left to Milawa on C522. Follow C522 for about 46km to its junction with the Great Alpine Road (B500). Turn right on B500, drive through Myrtleford for 5km to Ovens, then turn left on Tourist Drive 75.
From Canberra or Sydney (5 to 9 hours) ~ Drive into Wodonga & turn left at the first set of traffic lights (Osburn St). Follow this street to the third roundabout where you turn left on the Murray Valley Highway (B400). Follow B400 for 2km then turn right on the Kiewa Valley Highway (C531). Follow C531 for 4km then right again on C527 signposted to Yackandandah. Follow C527 past Yackandandah for 24km to Myrtleford. Turn left on the Great Alpine Road through Myrtleford for 5km to Ovens, then turn left on Tourist Drive 75
From Melbourne (3 hours) ~ Head north on the Hume Freeway (M31) for approx. 220km until you reach the twin BP/McDonalds service centres about 5km past the Glenrowan exit. Turn off 1km past the centre on your left to Milawa on C522. Follow C522 for about 46km to its junction with the Great Alpine Road (B500). Turn right on B500, drive through Myrtleford for 5km to Ovens, then turn left on Tourist Drive 75.
From Lakes Entrance/Bairnsdale via the Great Alpine Road (3 hours)~ From Lakes Entrance, head west on A1 to Swan Reach then exit right on C605 to its junction with the Great Alpine Road (B500). From Bairnsdale, simply follow B500. You will go through Swifts Creek, Omeo, Dinner Plain, Mt Hotham, Harrietville, Bright, Porepunkah then Ovens where you exit right on Tourist Drive 75.
Airports ~ Nearest domestic: Albury, NSW (70km). Nearest international: Melbourne (300km).
MEAL BREAKS: Some suggestions for a meal break enroute to Happy Valley:
From Canberra & Sydney
Holbrook Bakery, Main St., Holbrook. Great coffee & fresh bakehouse selections. Open daily.
From Adelaide & Melbourne
King River Cafe, Oxley. Wonderful food using regional produce. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner, Weds-Sun. Best to book ahead. Tel: (03) 5727 3461.
Milawa Cheese Factory Cafe, Factory Rd., Milawa. Open for lunch daily. The menu has taken on a new zing with Dennis Mifsud who is well known throughout the region for his long association with food at the Vine Hotel. Check the blackboard specials. Tel: (03) 5727 3588.
From Lakes Entrance/Bairnsdale
Swifts Creek Bakery, Swifts Creek. The 100yo wood-fired oven is still producing great food. Look out for their directions sign on the main street.