Mansfield – Mt Buller

Our plan for today was to find Tomahawk Hut so we set off out the Mt Buller Road expecting to turn off onto the Carter Track but we missed it so we changed our plans and continued on to Mt Buller. We went there at least a couple of times in the late 1980s and we were curious to see how it had changed. As soon as we arrived we were confronted by new constructions of large apartment complexes. There was a display board outside one construction site in the centre of the resort and it seemed that many of the apartments were already sold off the plan. There were still plenty of the tiny “studio” apartments available though.

Just one of the new blocks being constructed.

Older style chalet, with style.

The Abom, we spent plenty of time in there with “the kids”.

The switchbacks on the road up.

Chairlift beside a familiar run.

A Snowblower

Chairs waiting for the season to change.

We expected to get soaked …. we didn’t.

Another of the ski runs.

View to the undeveloped hills beyond.

At last, one of these birds has posed for me!

By the time we’d finished looking around Buller we decided against investigating any huts so went back down the road stopping for “lunch” ie crisps and cider, at a lovely spot not far from Sawmill Settlement.

Time to check the number of bars.

Beautiful clear river with lovely flat stones.

There was time to build an Inukchuk

After our break we went to visit the settlement which I expected to have relics of the old sawmill and some old workers cottages but I was wrong. We didn’t see any signs of early workings or homes in fact the whole place seemed like a collection of holiday homes for the wealthy. Many were for sale.

Sawmill Settlement home.

Sawmill Settlement home.

Sawmill Settlement home.

Sawmill Settlement home or Time Share apartment?

We drove out of “The Settlement” and across the road to the start of the Carter Track which was where we found the site of the original Sawmill. There was a devastating bushfire in the region in1939, all the residents were evacuated to Mansfield but the sawmill was saved by a wind change. It wasn’t so lucky though in 1965, that time the mill was destroyed by fire.

Spring board holes made by tree fellers in an ancient tree stump.

Resilient fern growing on a moss covered rock.

Our next stop was at Merrijig Memorial Park. I noticed the standing stones when we passed yesterday and was curious about them. Having checked it out I think it’s one of the most personal I’ve ever seen. The “Plantation of Honour” recognises the Merrijig residents who have served in major conflicts in Australia’s history since Federation.

Memorial stones

Memorial stone

The Avenue of Memorial Stones, each one represents an area of war.

Memorial stones

Memorial stone

Memorial stones.

Building being constructed on the site. Visitors will be able to lean on this bar, I think.

Beautiful Mountain Ash wood sued in the construction.

Other interesting things we’ve seen today.

Campground visitor

Glossy Ibis – campground visitor

Alpine Rice Flower

Alpine Rice Flower mutant?

Not sure about how this works.

You can’t see many houses in this area but it appears at least 28 residences are on Buttercup Road.

One mailbox that stands out from the rest.

Sculptures

On the road to Mt Buller

Nearing Mt Buller

In need of some TLC, Mt Buller

Snowflake, Mt Buller

Emergence by Deborah Redwood. Mt Buller

The central plaza, Mt Buller. Tribute to the cattlemen

The Rainbow Serpent, Information centre, Mansfield

The Cattleman, Information Centre, Mansfield

Information Centre, Mansfield

Tomorrow we’re leaving here and expect to be reach Halls Gap, in The Grampians. I think this Caravan Park will be very busy over the weekend. A cycle race starts at Merrijig ending at Mt Buller. We’ve already seen an increase in the seriousness of cyclists riding the tracks around here and saw some labouring up the Mt Buller Road and one woman ‘Warming down” on rollers behind a caravan.