McKillops Road is one of the most hazardous drives of Australia
McKillops Road is a spectacular drive located in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. It's said to be one of the most hazardous and dangerous roads in the country.
How long is McKillops Road?
Tucked away in the Snowy River National Park, the road (C611) is 80km (50 miles) long, running east-west from Bonang to Wulgulmerang East. The road is mostly sealed until getting beyond Buchan and then heading along the most hair-raising section, driving down into the valley and across the famous McKillops Bridge which spans the Snowy River in the Alpine National Park.
Is McKillops Road challenging?
Take extreme caution as there are many blind corners to negotiate. The road has not many pull outs for passing and the loose rock on the road indicates that it's seriously unstable in rainy conditions. It is a mud road that can be driven with a 2WD car. Although it will be better to have a 4WD or at least a car with a high clearance to drive there. On rainy days you may need a 4WD drive because of the mud that can be hard to pass. For several kms the road is reasonably wide, however, beyond Little River Gorge down into McKillop Bridge, it is one of Victoria's most precarious roads, unsuitable for caravans and semi-trailers. It’s advisable to check road conditions if visiting the park after rain or bad weather. Carry a chainsaw or sharp axe as roads may be blocked by fallen trees, carry recovery gear including a winch, tree protector and shovel, and leave details of your trip intentions with a responsible person. Bring your own drinking water. No fees, permits or bookings required. To protect the environment and for your safety, the track could be closed during the wetter winter months.
How long does it take to drive the McKillops Road?
The drive is very scenic and runs through some of the most amazing mountain scenery in the state of Victoria. Plan about 2 hours to complete the drive without any stops and allow plenty of time for touring. The descent into the Snowy River Valley from Little River is one of Victoria’s most stunning drives marked by great scenery and spectacular vertical drops on one side. Snowy River National Park is dominated by the river that gives its name to the park. Reserved as a national park in 1979, it offers spectacular river scenery, magnificent deep gorges, old growth alpine ash forests of Mt Gelantipy, distinctive pine woodlands in the valley, undisturbed catchments of the Rodger River and breathtaking wilderness areas. An ideal way to discover some of the park’s special features is by spending a few days touring the area by vehicle with all major roads suitable for 2WD vehicles. Many roads are unsealed, narrow and winding and some unsuitable for caravans, particularly from Little River Gorge to McKillops Bridge. Built in 1935 it's the only bridge over the Snowy River for a very long way. It’s a significant engineering feat at the time.