We drove to Mt Macedon on a free Saturday afternoon. It's only 40 mins from the city (even though it feels like it takes longer). As it is Autumn the vibrant colours are absolutely stunning - reds, oranges, yellows. Intense colours of the leaves creates a gorgeous backdrop. A beautiful part of Victoria and so close to the city. The house estates are incredible and there are some great places to stop such as the private garden or the Mt Macedon HotelSee more..
While in Warburton recently we noticed what looked like snow clouds above Mt Donna Buang. A quick check of the weather app indicated it was snowing up there so we head up around 2pm. It was the first time our 10 yo had ever seen snow and the kids had a ball making snowmen and going up the lookout tower. Next time we will come prepared in waterproof ski gear and bring a toboggan. Highly recommend for good quality, free snow play! See more..
4.5Mt Sturgeon(57 reviews) - What a view - beaten only by Mt Abrupt Mountains • Hiking Trails
We climbed as a couple in February. It was freezing - needed a few layers on to start but gradually shedded them as we walked. It offers majestic views of the surrounding ranges and plains. The official guide books say 7kms return. But it is actually 5kms return IF you park at the 2nd carpark (i.e. the carpark for Piccaninny 900 metres past the official Mt Sturgeon carpark). Once at the Piccaninny Carpark on Rte C217 you will see a sign to Mt Sturgeon walk. We did the walk up Sturgeon in 45 minutes. The track is often slippery - I used hiking sticks which saved me from a few potential falls. We didn't consider it to have rock hopping, although the guide pamphlets had described it as a rock hopping walk. This is well worth the effort and if you are fit you won't have any trouble at all doing it in under an hour. Loved relaxing at the top (despite the very cold winds) and taking in the view.See more..
4.0Mount Leura(49 reviews) - Another amazing lookout Mountains • Lookouts
Drive or walk to the lookout at the summit of Mount Leura to view the third largest volcanic plain in the world. Mt Noorat, Mt Elephant, Mt Kurweeton and Mt Meningoort are visible from the top, as are the hazy outlines of the Grampian Mountain Range.See more..
This easy walk is a short distance from Dunkeld. You can park at the Picaninny car park on the Halls Gap road or in the car park past the Mt Sturgeon carpark. It’s around 2km walk from either carpark. The track is easy to follow and well signposted, and will take 30-45 mins to get to the top. The walk up is a steady incline, with some steps along the way. Good footwear is recommended(runners and hiking shoes), not flip flops, or sandals. A water bottle is a good idea in the warm weather. Allow 1-1 1/2 hours both ways. The view from the top is very nice, with vistas towards Mt Abrupt and Dunkeld, and towards the south.See more..
4.5Mount Arapiles(42 reviews) - Camping at Mt. Arapiles Mountains
I've been climbing at Mt. Arapiles since 1989 and I'm often asked about the area. I've written a blog post about it at http://www.debislinger.com/camping-at-mt-arapiles/ to give full details of what it's like. Enjoy your own trip. It's awesome!See more..
4.0Mount Franklin(40 reviews) - Nice place for a walk Spent 1-2 hours Mountains • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Volcanos
My wife and I visited this place on a Wednesday off peak season during our recent 3 days holiday in Daylesford. There were very few people around during our walk around the scenic 1.7 km circuit track. A new Visitor Centre and new toilets are currently being built near the car park area. Mt Franklin was created by a volcanic eruption about 470,000 years ago. The ground is bordered by conifer forest, and the crater has been covered with ornamental trees such as Silver Birch, White Poplar, Sycamore and Californian Redwoods.See more..
4.5Mt Wycheproof(22 reviews) - Smallest mountain in the world Mountains
This bump on the horizon is the smallest registered mountain in the world , well worth detouring off the highway to drive or walk to the summit and afford the ever changing views of the surrounding farming countryside. A great place to watch sunrise , sunset and storms. There is a free barbecue on the first level and toilets. If you walk to the summit you can visit the post office or Mt Wycheproof cafe and pick up a certificate to say you have achieved the climb. This granite outcrop also has some significant vegetation. The information board tells all.See more..
5.0Mt. Elephant(16 reviews) - Lunch at Mount Elephant Hotel - Derrinallum Spent 2-3 hours Mountains
Mount Elephant Hotel-Derrinallum. Although they are not usually open for lunch on a Wednesday, we were lucky enough to co-inside with a group booking. Thus, we had a delightful lunch, professional service, with a greeting on arrival, and a table in a spacious, light bright position with an outdoor view. There were at least four seafood options on the menu including a seafood pasta dish; two chicken choices, and two beef choices. One of which was the homemade pie of the day. On this occasion there was a pork rib and rice dish as well. The good quality meals were beautifully presented and served with a warm friendly smile. Bar service was good, with a mixed drink being to my liking. New carpet, interesting tables and comfortable chairs added to the experience as did the clean, very adequate, toilet facilities. Well done Mount Elephant Hotel-DerrinallumSee more..
4.0Mount Bogong(12 reviews) - Great on a nice day Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Mountains
This is a tough walk no matter which way you go. I did up staircase Spur and back down eskdale Spur. A big day at 8 hours. Worst part of that route is returning to the car at the bottom of eskdale. Recommended for walkers who are ok with a tough climb.See more..
Great climb. You can take the beaten track from the campground (careful, you may miss the turnoff when avoiding the potholes) or you can scramble up the north face fairly safely. Good hike, steep in some places. Great views. Well worth it.See more..
This is pristine Alpine ash country! Or it would have been if the loggers hadn't clear felled coupes of trees. What can only be described as environmental vandalism has been applied to a once mighty forest. Animals, birds, frogs, insects and plants are denied there home. Australia acting like a third world country on a massive scale. Shameful.See more..
