I don't like that stretch of road even when it's bone dry (no black ice) in summer. The road is too narrow in a lot of places to mark a centreline and some tintops interpret that to mean they can use most of the road. You can also hit small rocks and branches that fall on the road. Did I mention emus, deer and roos that inhabit the Kosciuszko National park?
I would travel Cooma, Nimmitabel, Bombala, Cann River to get over the range. Wombats and roos can be pests on this road, though mainly at night.
Lakes Entrance is one of the jewels in Victoria's crown so it's worth visiting.
However, you need to be warned that Hackle lurks down there somewhere.