Circuit Road – Mt

July 2011 Circuit Road – Mt. Stirling FS0025 DSE – Mansfield ISSN 1440-2262

Mount Stirling is in the alpine region of of the Alpine Ash still occurs. Areas in different North-east Victoria. The Circuit Road stages of regeneration are evident on the drive. traverses through Mansfield State Forest The vegetation along the route changes from and Alpine Resort and provides access sub-alpine, Alpine Ash forest to a Snow Gum to several attractions including Craig’s dominated alpine woodland. Hut, Bindaree Falls, Mt Stirling, King Hut Telephone Box Junction (TBJ) and Razorback Hut. It is also the starting TBJ is within the Alpine Resort and marks the point for many 4WD tours through the start of Circuit Road. Toilets and information high country. are located here and during winter the Ski Patrol office and kiosk are open subject to seasonal Getting there hours. Travel from Mansfield along the Mt Buller Road towards Mt Buller. Turn left at the Mount Stirling King Saddle Road which begins at the toll gate at Mirimbah - King Saddle is two kilometres past TBJ (keep this leads to Circuit Road. Mansfield to left at TBJ) and also within Alpine Resort. There Mirimbah is approximately 32 kilometres. The is a toilet and shelter and the start of several Circuit Road complete round trip starting and cross-country skiing and walking tracks. finishing at Mirimbah is about 80 kilometres, including a 10 kilometre return detour to Razorback Hut Bindaree Falls. Approximately 1.5 kilometres past King Saddle and within Mansfield State Forest is the The toll gate at Mirimbah only operates during entrance to Razorback Hut. Turn left just before the snow season. There is no charge for the No. 3 Road intersection. The camping area access outside the snow season. is 500 metres along this road - there is a hut with permanent horse yards.

Circuit Road is trafficable by 2WD, though it can The No. 3 Road joins Circuit Road just past the have some rough sections. Circuit Road and track to Razorback Hut. This road is 4WD and many of the tracks in this area are subject to has lovely views of Mt Cobbler and the King seasonal road closures. Those in State Forest River Valley and accesses the No. 3 Refuge and National Park are closed to vehicles, Hut. You can follow No. 3 Road for 14.5 usually from the Thursday after the Queens kilometres then turn left down Carter’s Road to Birthday long weekend in June until the bring you back to the Carter’s Mill Picnic site Thursday before the Melbourne Cup weekend in and the Mt Buller Road. November. Contact the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board on 03 The King Basin Road is on your left two 5777 6077 to check the status of closures within kilometres passed the No. 3 Rd intersection. resort. This 4WD track leads to Pineapple Flat on the banks of the King River. Please note that the The Circuit Road Touring Route camping area is within Alpine National Park so The Circuit Road travels mostly through no dogs are allowed. Mansfield State Forest, however some sections are within the Alpine Resort. There are also camping areas along the King The Circuit Road was originally created to River towards King Hut. King Basin Road provide access for logging vehicles but now it is eventually links with Speculation Road to form a mainly used for recreation – though harvesting loop back to Circuit Road.

Circuit Road - Mt Stirling FS0025

Craig’s Hut Return to Circuit Road and continue on another Craig’s Hut is 18 kilometres from TBJ along 18 kilometres to return to Telephone Box Circuit Road. A 4WD track accesses the hut Junction and the completion of the circuit. from Circuit Road. Looking after the Forest Craig’s Hut was originally constructed for the Australian movie ‘The Man from Snowy River’ in All vehicles, including trail bikes must remain on 1983 as the home of Jim Craig, the main formed vehicle tracks. While driving be aware character in the movie. In 1993, Craig’s Hut of other users, including horse riders and was re-opened for visitors after a complete mountain bike riders on these tracks, as they rebuilding. In 2006 Craig’s Hut was destroyed may appear unexpectedly. by the Great Divide wildfire and again rebuilt, opening for visitors in 2008. There are Dogs are allowed in State Forest, but are not magnificent views of the surrounding mountain permitted in Alpine Resort or National Park. In ranges from the hut, which is set on a grassy summer, dogs transiting through Alpine Resort knoll surrounded by snowgums. must remain in or on the vehicle. Dogs must be kept under control at all times. Craig’s Hut and its magnificent views can also be accessed via a walking track that starts at Horse riding is allowed but horses must be held the Circuit Road Picnic Area, one kilometre away from other campers in temporary yards before the Craig’s Hut turn off. and at least 30 metres from waterways.

More information on the rules and regulations relating to trail bike riding, horse riding and other Craigs Hut Walk 1 activities in state forest is available from the Grade of Walk : Grade 4 DSE website. Distance: Return 3.0km Time: 2 hours return Safety Gradient: Very steep On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days, parks Quality of Path: Formed track, some obstacles and State Forest are closed to the public. Do not Quality of Markings: Sign posted enter parks or forests on Code Red Days. If you Steps: Occasional steps are already there when a Code Red day is Experience Some bushwalking experience declared, you should leave the night before or required: recommended early in the morning.

The Monument and Mt Stirling, both within For more information Alpine Resort are accessed from Clear Hills 4WD track by continuing past Craig’s Hut. The Department of Sustainability and Some sections of these tracks are suitable for Environment (DSE) is responsible for managing experienced 4 wheel drivers only. Victoria's State Forest. For further information contact DSE’s Customer Service Centre on 136 Speculation Road (4WD) heads east from 186 (TTY: 1800 122 969) or visit DSE’s website Circuit Road, six kilometres past the Craig’s Hut at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/forests turn off. This road intersects with King Basin For more information on sites managed by Road and continues on over the staircase Parks Victoria contact the Parks Victoria towards Lake Cobbler. The Cobbler Plateau Information Centre on 131963 or visit has the highest waterfalls in Victoria, the www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Dandongadale Falls and Mount Cobbler can be For more information on the Mt Buller and Mt accessed along a walking track from the lake. Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board phone 03 5777 6077 or visit www.mtbuller.com.au Bindaree Falls

Bindaree Road is on your left about ten This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria kilometres past Craig’s Hut. Turn left down and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw Bindaree Road and travel for five kilometres. A of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other short walk will take you right up to the waterfall. consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication

1 For more information on how walks are graded, visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/walking

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