Positive Victoria’s Excessive Nation is unreal in winter, however summer season has one thing particular occurring 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 mountaineering and tenting experiences on Mt Stirling alongside a newly refurbished mountain bike path community.
Throw in a spread of lodging choices to go well with all budgets on Mt Buller itself, meals, drink, and a jam-packed summer season occasions schedule, and your subsequent journey to Mt Buller is wanting like a ripper!
Get the crew up for dawn, you gained’t remorse it. | @tim_ashelford
Mountain Biking at Mt Buller
Mt Buller has lengthy been often known as a one-of-a-kind using vacation spot. With over 100km of trails the resort provides one thing for all gravity, circulate, cross nation, and downhill riders.
A latest funding of $1.25 million into refurbishing the paths is totally reworking the resort, transforming the ten+ 12 months outdated community into quick and flowy gravity runs, thrilling cross nation loops, and playful newbie trails, modernising the paths for a brand new technology of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 in relation 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 remodeled them with an emphasis on circulate 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 plagued by free stones and rocks, however now includes a extensive, freshly sculpted path that winds its manner down the mountain by way of 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 facet hits await, permitting riders to get tremendous inventive with their line selection and waterbars that conveniently function little kickers are stacked all the best way down the mountain.
On the decrease half of the path you’ll discover a whole of 12 log bridge river crossings as you meander alongside the Delatite River. Better of all, whenever you lastly end this large descent you possibly can hop straight within the river to chill off when you wait on your shuttle to take you again to the highest, able to do it once more.
Rides Near Mt Buller Village
For many who need to journey in shut proximity to the village, there are many trails that can 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 shortly expertise the gorgeous alpine wilderness.
These three trails are the primary part of Buller’s Australian Alpine Epic Path, and whereas out using by way of bushfire-recovering snow gums you’re more likely to encounter uncommon native orchids and wallabies, hearken to the sound of lyrebirds singing by way of 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 definitely a drawcard it’s necessary 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 chunk equipment. 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.
Climbing on Mt Buller and Mt Stirling
There are a vary of walks round Mt Buller that cater to each degree, whether or not that’s a sundown stroll after dinner or an enormous all-day mountaineering journey. For a taster, check out the Summit Nature Stroll. The hike takes you to Buller’s 1780m peak and can be achieved as a loop – take it from us, it’s excellent for dawn.
The Two Peaks hike is a superb manner 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 option 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 predict 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 every year it’s fully coated in snow. Estimates have it at 319 years outdated, 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 possibly can camp out at Howqua Hole Hut, or proceed on to Mt Buller Resort for a bathe and a feed. A 3rd day sees you mountaineering off the mountain, or you possibly can proceed on into the wilderness, should you please.
However this is only one hike. The choices are infinite on Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, you would maintain coming again for years and nonetheless have extra to discover. Excessive Nation Climbing Excursions provides significantly wonderful excursions of the area, and Romana has an in depth data of the mountains by way of years of expertise. Ebook 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 an enormous day on the paths head to Abom to unwind with a hearty meal amongst the retro ski-lodge decor. For those who’re not prepared for mattress after your meal the nightlife continues at Moosehead Whisky and Blues Bar the place you possibly can catch some stay music and revel in a drink or three within the alpine bar.
If you need to seize a fast espresso and brekkie roll earlier than hitting the paths the following 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 season season. Go for a guided summit hike and crack a chilly one up prime when 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 in search of a laid again, nature-filled weekend of using otherwise you need to go full ship and occasion 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 vary of on-mountain summer season lodging to go well with all wants and budgets, from self-contained residences to all-inclusive resort lodging.
For riders on a price range, Blue Filth Mountain Bike Lodges supply reasonably priced 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 Filth Mountain Bike Lodge is for you. Higher but, 5% of your room price goes in the direction of path upkeep!
These in search of somewhat luxurious will respect all the boutique choices accessible at Whitehorse Village, with extraordinary views and gorgeous, luxurious lodging, you gained’t need your weekend away to finish.
Plan to come back again for extra – we assure one journey to Mt Buller & Mt Stirling gained’t be sufficient.
