Certain Victoria’s Excessive Nation is unreal in winter, however summer time has one thing particular happening too. Mt Buller is an journey playground on Melbourne’s doorstep that actually provides one thing for everybody.
We acknowledge that this journey is situated on the normal International locations of the Taungurung individuals who have occupied and cared for these lands and waters for hundreds of years. We pay our respects to them because the Conventional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was by no means ceded.
Mt Buller lies three hours from Melbourne and provides distant alpine climbing and tenting experiences on Mt Stirling alongside a newly refurbished mountain bike path community.
Throw in a spread of lodging choices to swimsuit all budgets on Mt Buller itself, meals, drink, and a jam-packed summer time occasions schedule, and your subsequent journey to Mt Buller is trying like a ripper!
Get the crew up for dawn, you received’t remorse it. | @tim_ashelford
Mountain Biking at Mt Buller
Mt Buller has lengthy been often called a one-of-a-kind driving vacation spot. With over 100km of trails the resort provides one thing for all gravity, stream, cross nation, and downhill riders.
A latest funding of $1.25 million into refurbishing the paths is totally reworking the resort, transforming the ten+ yr previous community into quick and flowy gravity runs, thrilling cross nation loops, and playful newbie trails, modernising the paths for a brand new technology of riders.
Freshly carved trails have been expertly crafted to be enjoyable at any velocity!
Buller is pulling out all of the stops with regards to transforming the path system. The staff from Contour Works are resurfacing 15 cross nation trails throughout the mountain and Trailscapes have reshaped the 4 unique gravity trails and reworked them with an emphasis on stream and enjoyable.
The Delatite River Path
A spotlight is the reimagined Delatite River Path that takes riders down a whopping 1000m in elevation over practically 9km. The blue-rated cross nation path was once suffering from free stones and rocks, however now encompasses a vast, freshly sculpted path that winds its means down the mountain via the luxurious cool-temperate rainforest.
The path builders have stacked the path with as many options as they’ll making for a quick and playful journey. Infinite berms, wall rides and aspect hits await, permitting riders to get tremendous artistic with their line selection and waterbars that conveniently function little kickers are stacked all the way in which down the mountain.
On the decrease half of the path you’ll discover a complete of 12 log bridge river crossings as you meander alongside the Delatite River. Better of all, while you lastly end this large descent you may hop straight within the river to chill off whilst you wait to your shuttle to take you again to the highest, able to do it over again.
Rides Near Mt Buller Village
For many who wish to journey in shut proximity to the village, there are many trails that help you clock laps and beat these Strava CRs whereas by no means being removed from a beer and a snack.
A very distinctive characteristic of the Mt Buller trails, nevertheless, is how distant you may get in such a short while – journey Gang Gangs, Cornhill, and Woolybutt out to Howqua Hut to rapidly expertise the gorgeous alpine wilderness.
These three trails are the primary part of Buller’s Australian Alpine Epic Path, and whereas out driving via bushfire-recovering snow gums you’re prone to encounter uncommon native orchids and wallabies, hearken to the sound of lyrebirds singing via the mountains as you journey previous vibrant alpine grevilleas and even startle a Sambar deer.
It doesn’t take lengthy to vanish into the forest from Mt Buller Resort.
While the distant nature of those trails is actually a drawcard it’s vital to make sure you’re adequately ready by bringing sufficient meals, water, and bicycle restore instruments in addition to emergency security gear like a PLB and snake chew package. As at all times, pack out what you pack in, alpine environments are extremely fragile ecosystems, even an orange peel on the path can take months to interrupt down: put it in your pack.
Mountaineering on Mt Buller and Mt Stirling
There are a vary of walks round Mt Buller that cater to each stage, whether or not that’s a sundown stroll after dinner or a giant all-day climbing journey. For a taster, check out the Summit Nature Stroll. The hike takes you to Buller’s 1780m peak and can be performed as a loop – take it from us, it’s good for dawn.
The Two Peaks hike is a superb means for hikers to get immersed within the area. Beginning deep within the valley, you’ll wind alongside the Delatite River, crossing numerous log bridges because the snowmelt flows beneath. You’ll see cool forest give strategy to Alpine Ash and Snowgums (and numerous micro-environments in between) as you climb an entire vertical kilometre to the Bluff Spur Memorial Hut and campground – it’s the proper sheltered spot beneath the summit.
The hardest tree in Australia? We expect so! | @tim_ashelford
Should see: A single snow gum sits alone on prime of Mt Stirling. The ‘Summit Tree’ is also referred to as the ‘toughest tree’, as annually it’s utterly coated in snow. Estimates have it at 319 years previous, so seize a snap, however please keep away from touching the tree itself.
On day two you’ll hike over to Corn Hill, earlier than persevering with to Mt Buller. Up on the ridgeline there’s much less climbing, and extra time to benefit from the hillsides heaving with native lilies and orchids in good pink and yellow. You’ll be able to camp out at Howqua Hole Hut, or proceed on to Mt Buller Resort for a bathe and a feed. A 3rd day sees you climbing off the mountain, or you may proceed on into the wilderness, in the event you please.
However this is only one hike. The choices are countless on Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, you would preserve coming again for years and nonetheless have extra to discover. Excessive Nation Mountaineering Excursions provides notably wonderful excursions of the area, and Romana has an in depth data of the mountains via years of expertise. E book in for something from transfers to a full-service journey (they’ll even transport your in a single day pack!). Take it from me, the dehydrated chocolate pudding is a winner.
The place to Refuel?
After a giant day on the paths head to Abom to unwind with a hearty meal amongst the retro ski-lodge decor. If you happen to’re not prepared for mattress after your meal the nightlife continues at Moosehead Whisky and Blues Bar the place you may catch some dwell music and revel in a drink or three within the alpine bar.
Whenever you wish to seize a fast espresso and brekkie roll earlier than hitting the paths the subsequent morning The Espresso Storage has you sorted and is only a quick journey from the trailheads.
In addition to the brick and mortar eateries and leisure, Mt Buller is placing on an enormous unfold of occasions over the summer time season. Go for a guided summit hike and crack a chilly one up prime whilst you watch probably the most superb sundown you’ve ever skilled, or have a slice of pizza whereas DJs play tunes into the night. Whether or not you’re searching for a laid again, nature-filled weekend of driving otherwise you wish to go full ship and social gathering as laborious as you journey; Mt Buller has you coated.
A sundown session on prime of Mt Buller is a should.
The place To Keep on Mt Buller
Mt Buller provides an excellent vary of on-mountain summer time lodging to swimsuit all wants and budgets, from self-contained residences to all-inclusive resort lodging.
For riders on a finances, Blue Dust Mountain Bike Lodges provide inexpensive lodging within the coronary heart of the village. From a bunk to a personal room, if you wish to journey all weekend and hang around with different riders for apres, the Blue Dust Mountain Bike Lodge is for you. Higher but, 5% of your room fee goes in direction of path upkeep!
These searching for a little bit luxurious will respect all the boutique choices accessible at Whitehorse Village, with extraordinary views and gorgeous, luxurious lodging, you received’t need your weekend away to finish.
Plan to return again for extra – we assure one journey to Mt Buller & Mt Stirling received’t be sufficient.
