Marvellous Mansfield
A scenic two-hour drive from Melbourne, the country town of Mansfield seems a million miles from city life. Rugged mountains, rolling plains, rushing rivers and gentle lakes all make for an ever changing, ever lovely backdrop.
Mansfield began in 1846 as a designated stock route camp and soon developed as a commercial centre for the many small goldmining settlements established to the south in the 1850s. After the initial gold rush Mansfield settled down to become a service centre to a grazing, farming and timber-getting community. One of the timber-getters who worked in the area for three years, following his release from prison in 1874, was Ned Kelly, Australia's most notorious bushranger and perhaps its best-known figure.
Today Mansfield is a charming sub-alpine town of wide streets, old buildings and well-established trees, Mansfield is situated on Fords Creek in a pretty valley which is surrounded by the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, near the north-eastern tip of Lake Eildon. The beauty of the local scenery has attracted filmmakers who have used it as the setting for the two Man From Snowy River films, The Far Country and Cool Change.
Mansfield is a major trail riding centre, a result of its long tradition with horses which dates back to when they were used by cattlemen driving their herds up to the high mountain pastures. Saddle up and relive The Man from Snowy River, with a horseback ride from Mt Buller.
The outdoor adventures don't end with horse riding however, the town is also a popular base for mountain biking, rock climbing, fly fishing and bushwalking. For a birds-eye view of the area, try a Joy flight with The Helicopter Service Australia (03 5775 2008) or take off on an early morning Balloon flight with Ballooning Global (1800 627 661).
Because of its location Mansfield is an excellent winter base for those heading to the snow fields of Mt Buller and Mt Stirling. Buller is Victoria's largest ski resort and is serviced by the state's biggest lift network and the most extensive snow-making system in the southern hemisphere. Nearby Mount Stirling provides excellent cross-country skiing, with many well-marked trails through sheltered forests of alpine ash, snow gum woodlands and open plains.
There is a range of accommodation to suite all budgets in Mansfield – from the centrally located Mansfield Motel (www.mansfieldhotel.com.au), a popular spot for skiers to stay overnight before heading off early to hit the slopes, through to the luxurious Mansfield Spa Retreat (www.mansfieldspa.com.au) which features indoor two-person spas, log fires, in-house massages and beautiful mountain views.
Whilst in Mansfield, visit the new High Country Visitor and Interpretive Centre (ph: 1800 039 049), located on the Maroondah Highway at the entrance to Mansfield. It is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm and provides a free accommodation and activity booking service for the area.
Mansfield is linked to one of the most spectacular drives in Victoria, the Upper Goulburn touring drive. The route begins in Mansfield and passes through Jamieson, Kevington, Gaffney's Creek, A1 Mine Settlement and on to Woods Point - one of the most isolated towns in Victoria. Along the way, stop at some of Victoria’s best regional pubs – the Jamieson Brewery for home brewed beer, Kevington Pub with a beer garden on the Goulburn River and Woods Point. Fascinating relics, infrastructure and Chinese market gardens from the gold mining days have been uncovered by the recent bushfires which swept through the area during the Christmas holidays.
Enjoy spectacular views from the Craig's Hut site, which has recently reopened following the bushfires. Although the historical Hut was destroyed during the fires, the regeneration of the natural surroundings is spectacular. Visitors can walk, drive or ride a horse to the site and there are various undamaged camping spots by the rivers which flow through the surrounding areas. Plans for the re-building of Craig’s Hut are underway.
For further information visit www.mansfield-mtbuller.com.au or call 1800 039 049.
Events
Merrijig Rodeo – March
Mansfield High Country Harvest Festival – March
Mansfield Balloon Festival – April
Opening of the Mt Buller Ski Season – June
Mt Buller World Aerials – September
Mansfield Mountain Country Festival – November
Mansfield District Racing Club Day Picnic Races – November
Taste of Buller – November
How to get there
Mansfield is approximately 2 hours from Melbourne, via the Melba, Goulburn Valley and Maroondah highways.