Description:  The weekend is to be based at the Icicles Ski Club lodge on Mount Buller (approximately 3 hours from Melbourne).  It will be a base camp using club lodge accommodation within the Mount Buller Alpine Village.  Lodge accommodation cost is approximately $35 for adults and $25 for children per person/night, available on both Friday and Saturday nights.  We will be self-catering for meals within the lodge. The lodge has 11 individual bedrooms with 2 to 5 bunks/beds in each and bathrooms shared between 2 rooms. 

NB Last year we were the only party in the lodge, but it may be shared with Icicles club members and if so, then RRCV members may have to share a bunk room with other RRCV members. Also if the trip is full, then all people in your vehicle will need to share a bunk room.

This is an ideal trip for members that want to experience great 4WDriving, mountain views and high country history without camping.  Highlights include stunning views from Mount Stirling, Bluff hut, Craigs Hut (to name a few), plus some challenging 4WD tracks. Two day trips are proposed.

Day 1.  Starting at Mount Buller, we drive to Howqua Gap via the Corn Hill Road and around the Circuit Road to Bindaree Falls.  There is a short walk to the falls and the outlook down the valley from behind the waterfall can be quite spectacular.  Then we descend into the Howqua valley to Bindaree Hut and climb up to Bluff hut hut for magnificent views back toward Mt Buller.  We travel back to the lodge via Sheepyard Flat with a short side trip to Fry’s hut (time permitting).  Back at the lodge, we can walk to the summit to see where we have travelled for the day and hopefully to view a spectacular sunset and/or wander around the Alpine Village.  Distance for the day is approximately 162 km

Day 2.  Starting again at Mount Buller, we head down to Howqua Gap and along the Stirling Circuit Road to Craigs Hut, where the Man from Snowy River was filmed.  We then descend into the King river valley and ford the river a few times before arriving at Pineapple Flat for lunch.  Back across the King River to Weston Track, we visit No 3 Hut and after following Carters and Buttercup Roads, we arrive at Merrijig and continue on to Mansfield for an end of trip coffee before a 2.5 hour drive back to Melbourne.  Distance for the day is approximately 106 km.

Due to the need to finalise accommodation numbers with Icicles, cut-off date for sign-up is Tuesday14 November (or when the convoy limit is reached).  Please advise in the comments in your sign-up, the number of people and number of nights accommodation required (Fri/Sat or just Sat).  Following that date, members will be advised of payment arrangements and meeting arrangements for either Friday evening or Saturday morning, depending arrival times at Mount Buller.

Weather:  Alpine environment, potentially cold and wet. Bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Equipment:  This trip will be suited to confident 4WDrivers with some experience.  Your vehicle will need to be equipped with a UHF radio (or one borrowed from the club), good all terrain tyres, low range, 4WD and have reasonable clearance (approx. 200mm recommended). You will need your own food and supplies for the 2 days. Bring your recovery gear if you have it.

Trip Standard: Medium -  some steep, low-range hill climbs and some rocky tracks!

Fuel: a full tank ex Mansfield where all fuels are available. NB the Mansfield service station closes at 9:00 om Friday evenings.  Approx. distance 268 Km.

Convoy limit: 11 vehicles  

Meeting Arrangements:  8:00 am Saturday morning at Icicles Ski Lodge. Stirling road Mt Buller Village.