Mitta Mitta River

The Mitta Mitta River carves a dramatic path through the high country of northeast Victoria, its icy waters fed by the melting snows of the Australian Alps. This is a river of two personalities: a wild, untamed torrent in the upper reaches, and a broad, slow-moving waterway below the Dartmouth Dam. For travellers, it offers a quintessential taste of the High Country — think trout fishing in pristine streams, kayaking through granite gorges, and camping under star-filled skies far from city lights.

Highlights & What to See

• Dartmouth Dam: Australia's second-largest dam by capacity, with a striking spillway and a lookout offering panoramic views over the dam wall and the surrounding forested hills.
• Mitta Mitta River Trail: A scenic drive that follows the river from Eskdale to the dam, passing swimming holes, picnic spots, and historic bridges. Stop at the Mitta Mitta Reserve for a riverside break.
• Trout Fishing: The river is a mecca for fly-fishers, with brown and rainbow trout in abundance. The best stretches are around Dartmouth and Tallangatta.
• Kayaking & Canoeing: The section below the dam offers calm waters ideal for beginners, while the upper reaches challenge experienced paddlers with rapids.
• Historic Mitta Mitta Township: A tiny settlement with a classic country pub, the Mitta Mitta Hotel, and the heritage-listed Mitta Mitta Bridge (1912).

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan for a full day to explore the river from the dam down to Tallangatta, including stops for fishing or a picnic. If you're an angler or kayaker, two to three days allow you to immerse yourself in the river's rhythm. The drive along the Mitta Mitta River Trail can be comfortably done in half a day, but you'll want to linger at the swimming spots and viewpoints.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Mount Beauty & Falls Creek: Head into the alpine national park for hiking, mountain biking, and winter skiing — just an hour's drive from the river.
• Lake Hume: A massive man-made lake near Wodonga, perfect for water sports and houseboat hire, about 40 minutes north.
• Tallangatta: This charming town was relocated in the 1950s due to the dam; explore its neat streets, the old railway station, and the Tallangatta Lookout over the river.
• Dartmouth: The tiny village near the dam has a general store and a caravan park, making it a good base for river activities.
• Wodonga & Albury: The twin cities on the Murray River offer accommodation, dining, and the Murray River Trail for cycling and walking.

Please check official sources for current details.