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Tawonga Gap

Victorian Alps, VIC

CyclingModerate

At a Glance

ActivityCycling
Disciplineroad_climb
DifficultyModerate
Distance7.7 km
Elevation Gain430 m
Trail TypePoint To Point
SurfaceSealed
Best SeasonOctober to May
Bikes Allowed

About the Tawonga Gap

Iconic 7.7km Victorian Alps climb between Bright and Mount Beauty featuring the famous Tawonga Gap lookout.

Tawonga Gap is one of the most photographed pieces of road in Australian cycling - a 7.7km climb that connects the Ovens and Kiewa valleys via a 872m saddle, with the lookout at the top offering a textbook alpine vista of Mt Bogong, the highest peak in Victoria. The climb can be ridden from either side: the Bright/Germantown side is 7.7km at 5.6% average, while the Mount Beauty side is 7.5km at 4.5%, slightly easier with a steeper final kilometre.

The gradient profile is consistent with no major ramps, making it a perfect tempo climb. The road surface is excellent, traffic is light to moderate, and the corners are well-cambered with full visibility through most switchbacks. Mid-climb on the Bright side, riders pass through cool fern gullies before emerging onto the open saddle at the lookout. The descent to Mount Beauty is one of the most flowing in the country.

Tawonga Gap features in nearly every Bright-based ride loop, including the classic 80km Bright-Tawonga-Mt Beauty-Tawonga-Bright circuit, and is part of Stage 1 of Tour of Bright. It's also the warm-up climb on Peaks Challenge Falls Creek before riders tackle Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.

Gradient profile — Avg gradient: 5.6%, Max gradient: 8%.

Tawonga Gap Safety & Warnings

Possible ice and snow closures June-September.

Tawonga Gap Highlights

Tawonga Gap lookoutMt Bogong panoramaTour of Bright Stage 1Smooth alpine road

Tawonga Gap Facilities & Huts

Bright Cafes
Tawonga Gap Lookout (Toilets, Parking)
Mount Beauty Bakery

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Dump Points(1)

8km

Mount Beauty Holiday Centre Dump Point

Free · 8km

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