Interesting way from Sydney to Melbourne?

Hi all,

Well I'm picking up the Monster Truck (aka the new Dodge Ram 3500 Megacab 4x4) in Sydney this week and driving it back to Perth. No van in tow, just a swag.

I'm thinking of calling past Melbourne to visit someone, and wondered which way you'd suggest if I wanted to take a scenic route rather than straight down the Hume, adding perhaps half a day or so to the trip.

I'll be solo, and have no recovery gear, so don't want to be too extreme, but I'm not afraid of getting it dirty either.

I figure on going through the mountains because that's what we have least of in WA. Perhaps up through Jindabyne and Dead Horse Gap, but where from there? Or where else?

Any suggestions welcome.

Matt