The north part of Gippsland, in the foothills and mountains of the Great Dividing Range, is Victoria's "high country" - and it's ideally suited for a lot of outdoor activities . In the past, local operators have been a bit slow in exploiting the area's appeal, but the scene is gradually changing. At present, there are a few good trail-ride outfits, including Walhalla Mountain Saddle Safaris based in Erica, in the hills north of Moe, Latrobe Valley (tel 03/5165 3365; not suitable for beginners), and Snowy Range Horseback Tours in Heyfield (tel 03/5148 3268). There are also some companies that organize white-water rafting , among them Snowy River Expeditions, located in Gelantipy (tel 03/5155 0220), and Detours, in Buchan (tel 03/5155 9464); both also organize a host of other activities like rock climbing, abseiling, caving and bushwalking . Adventurama in Melbourne (tel 03/9682 1771 or free call 1800 801 464) take people on the Thomson River near Moe, the Mitta Mitta River near Omeo, and the Snowy River near Gippsland, they also run flexible camping trips with or without guided bushwalks to Wilsons Promontory. Bunyip Tours (tel 03/9600 9207, mrbunyip@hotmail.com.au ) also do inexpensive, nature-oriented camping trips to the Prom in association with Parks Victoria. The comprehensive, very relaxed and informative trips offered by the ecotour operator Echidna Walkabout (tel 03/9646 8249, ekidna@netcore.com.au ) are at the other end of the price scale, but well worth the expense. They offer four- or six-day trips to the coastal Croajingolong National Park and the remote mountainous Errinundra National Park in the hinterland of Far East Gippsland - they take care of transporting the gear and provisions, setting up camp and cooking. Most tour companies don't operate during the winter months.