An entirely different High Country experience will soon be available for locals and visitors alike to learn more about our region through the writings of one Australia’s most famous poets.

The Banjo Paterson High Country Trail will connect the landscapes that inspired the poet’s iconic verse in the Victorian High Country such as The Man from Snowy River.

Most of Paterson’s best-loved poems either referenced high country locations, were written there or feature local characters.

The new trail links the High Country places in which Paterson had either lived or about which he had written in his poetry and takes visitors off better-known roads to lesser-known destinations such as Wee Jasper.

The Trail’s map is illustrated with photographs and / or illustrative motifs highlighting each location including a couple of lines or verse of the poem relevant to that site.

It is QR coded to the website, providing the High Country context of the poems and giving insights into the man behind his verse.

The region can be explored via guided trail rides, 4WD tours and hiking allowing access to more remote areas.

Many visitors might choose to begin the trail with a verse or two of Paterson’s poem ‘Those Names’ (1890). Paterson might have written it during an early visit to the Upper Murray or after one of his other High Country visits.

Key highlights of the trail include visiting historic cattlemen’s huts such as Craig’s Hut and exploring areas near Tom Groggin connected to Jack Riley, the reputed ‘Man from Snowy River’ who is buried in the Corryong Cemetery.

Corryong’s most recent storyboard ‘The legend of Jack Riley – The Man from Snowy River’ takes cemetery visitors right to the midst of our heritage and the heart of our community.

The board provides a map of the route of the Man from Snowy River’s last ride from Tom Groggin to Surveyor’s Creek and Corryong while the text tells the Jack Riley’s story.

Many of Paterson’s High Country poems were published in The Bulletin often known as the ‘Bushman’s Bible’. Founded by J F Archibald in 1880 the Bulletin was a weekly covering politics, business, literary reviews, poetry, fiction and humour. As one of Australia’s most enduring magazines, it was a catalyst and platform for Paterson’s High Country poetry.

When The Bulletin ceased publication in 2008, it was left to events like the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, bush poets’ competitions and attractions like the Banjo Paterson High Country Trail to ensure that these wonderful verses remain as part of our heritage and identity.

The official launch of the Banjo Paterson High Country Trail will take place at the Man From Snowy River Museum in Corryong on Thursday April 16th at 11am in conjunction with a ‘Commemoration of the Mountain Bushman’ and unveiling of new series of interpretive storyboards.

This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 9 April 2026.