Mount Stirling

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesMansfield
FinishMansfield
DifficultyDifficulty 2/5
Suitable ForAWD 
Distance146.09 km
Minimum Days1
Average Speed38.15 km/hr
Travel Time3 hrs 49 mins
Page Updated: 3 Jan 2024

Description

Mount Stirling is an area used during winter for cross-country skiing and is therefore quite mountainous. There is a loop road running around the mountain and during summer it would be possible to drive a 2WD car around the mountain (check road conditions first), but after any rain or snow the road turns to 4WD only and is closed as part of the seasonal road closures in Victoria, generally from the day after the Queen's Birthday long weekend until November.

The advantage of having a 4WD is the ability to perform a number of diversions away from the loop road across the top of the mountain. Visiting places such as Craig’s Hut, famous for it's appearance in the great Australian movie, ‘The Man From Snowy River’. Walking around the back of the hut or even inside, you quickly realise that this is definitely just a prop. The good people from the Mansfield 4WD Club and CFA 4WD Club maintain the hut.

The trip to the summit of Mount Stirling is also a worthwhile diversion, which can be reached by following the 4WD track past Craig’s Hut. If the weather is kind you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and of the skiing village at Mount Buller.

Other possible diversions from the area are down to Kings Hut, or Pineapple Flat (on the Northern side) or Binderee Falls and Pykes Flat, on the southern side. Both of these make excellent extensions to the trek and allow you to continue on travelling through the high country to other areas.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2024 mapset!

TrekID: 45

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

Permits

Throughout winter, you must pay an entry fee to access Mount Stirling as you pass through the gates at Mirimbah. The single payment covers entry to both Mount Stirling and Mount Buller, providing you with an easy way to see each mountain. The gate entry fee is only charged during the winter season, not in summer.

If you visit Mount Stirling just for the day it will cost $30 per vehicle (seating up to seven people) to enter the area. If you camp overnight you will be charged an additional fee - $6 per night through the week and $12 per night on weekends. Season passes are available, as are reduced bike and pedestrian fees.

Fuel Usage

Note: Fuel is only available at Mirimbah during the winter season. During the summer season there may not be any fuel or supplies after Mansfield.
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 21 litres4cyl 24 litres4cyl 29 litres
6cyl 22 litres6cyl 26 litres6cyl 26 litres
8cyl 22 litres8cyl 24 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Generally Summer and Autumn would be the best time to travel as seasonal track closures may exist June to November due to snow. Please check with authorities.

Closest Climatic Station

Lake Eildon
Distance from Trek Mid Point 25.3km SW
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C28.829.025.620.816.112.611.913.616.519.823.526.2
Mean Min. °C12.612.810.67.85.94.13.54.25.67.29.410.9
Mean Rain mm46.543.052.759.478.493.093.599.382.178.768.056.1
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Mansfield to Mount Buller Rd & Buttercup Rd
Driving: 14.46 km
Heading: 115°
Avg Speed: 86.78 km/hr
EST Time: 09:59
Mount Buller Rd & Buttercup Rd to Merrijig
Driving: 3.82 km
Heading: 93°
Avg Speed: 83.03 km/hr
EST Time: 02:45
Merrijig to Howqua Track turnoff - to sheepyard flat
Driving: 2.25 km
Heading: 127°
Avg Speed: 76.96 km/hr
EST Time: 01:45
Howqua Track turnoff - to sheepyard flat to Sawmill Settlement
Driving: 8.19 km
Heading: 84°
Avg Speed: 76.73 km/hr
EST Time: 06:24
Sawmill Settlement to Mirimbah
Driving: 3.29 km
Heading: 102°
Avg Speed: 43.02 km/hr
EST Time: 04:35
Mirimbah to Telephone Box Junction
Driving: 9.44 km
Heading: 93°
Avg Speed: 48.76 km/hr
EST Time: 11:36
  • Drive east. for: 0.02 km time: 00:02
  • Turn right. for: 0.01 km time: 00:02
  • Turn left onto Stirling - Buller resort entry. for: 0.1 km time: 00:18
  • Turn left onto Mount Buller Road/C320. for: 0.05 km time: 00:04
  • Turn left onto Stirling Road. for: 9.24 km time: 11:09
  • Bear left onto Stirling Circuit Road. for: 0.02 km time: 00:01
Telephone Box Junction to Howqua Gap Hut
Driving: 6.54 km
Heading: 142°
Avg Speed: 34.64 km/hr
EST Time: 11:19
  • Drive west on Stirling Circuit Road. for: 0.02 km time: 00:03
  • Turn left onto Circuit Road. for: 6.52 km time: 11:17
Howqua Gap Hut to Mount Stirling
Driving: 4.38 km
Heading: 17°
Avg Speed: 2.18 km/hr
EST Time: 02:00:33
  • Drive southeast on Circuit Road. for: 0.38 km time: 00:39
  • Bear left onto Howqua Gap Trail. for: 3.52 km time: 01:45:41
  • Bear right to stay on Howqua Gap Trail. for: 0.48 km time: 14:26
Mount Stirling to The Monument
Driving: 2.97 km
Heading: 69°
Avg Speed: 15.06 km/hr
EST Time: 11:49
The Monument to Clear Hills Hut
Driving: 1.32 km
Heading: 23°
Avg Speed: 15.44 km/hr
EST Time: 05:07
Clear Hills Hut to Craig's Hut
Driving: 0.23 km
Heading: 52°
Avg Speed: 9.25 km/hr
EST Time: 01:29
Craig's Hut to Peters Corner
Driving: 5.96 km
Heading: 70°
Avg Speed: 4.82 km/hr
EST Time: 01:14:11
  • Head southeast for: 0.08 km time: 02:25
  • Turn left onto Clear Hills Track for: 0.1 km time: 02:58
  • Continue slightly left onto Clear Hills Track for: 2.07 km time: 01:02:03
  • Make a sharp right onto Circuit Road for: 3.71 km time: 06:41
Peters Corner to King Hut
Driving: 8.9 km
Heading: 48°
Avg Speed: 15.28 km/hr
EST Time: 34:56
  • Head south on Circuit Road for: 4.9 km time: 07:52
  • Continue left onto Speculation Road for: 3.25 km time: 04:45
  • Turn left onto King Basin Road for: 0.74 km time: 22:19
King Hut to Bus Hut
Driving: 26.51 km
Heading: 269°
Avg Speed: 30.36 km/hr
EST Time: 52:23
Bus Hut to Refuge Mount No. 3 Hut
Driving: 4.51 km
Heading: 326°
Avg Speed: 28.27 km/hr
EST Time: 09:34
Refuge Mount No. 3 Hut to Mount No 3
Driving: 1.15 km
Heading: 36°
Avg Speed: 24.95 km/hr
EST Time: 02:45
Mount No 3 to Tomahawk Gap
Driving: 5.39 km
Heading: 325°
Avg Speed: 24.13 km/hr
EST Time: 13:24
Tomahawk Gap to Tomahawk Hut
Driving: 0.12 km
Heading: 215°
Avg Speed: 20.79 km/hr
EST Time: 00:20
Tomahawk Hut to Buttercup Creek Camping Areas
Driving: 8.68 km
Heading: 244°
Avg Speed: 31.24 km/hr
EST Time: 16:40
Buttercup Creek Camping Areas to Buttercup
Driving: 6.37 km
Heading: 261°
Avg Speed: 34.89 km/hr
EST Time: 10:57
Buttercup to Mount Buller Rd & Buttercup Rd
Driving: 7.15 km
Heading: 245°
Avg Speed: 46.04 km/hr
EST Time: 09:19
Mount Buller Rd & Buttercup Rd to Mansfield
Driving: 14.46 km
Heading: 295°
Avg Speed: 86.78 km/hr
EST Time: 09:59
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

You will see the huts of the Victorian High Country such as Craig's Hut and with any luck, snow is possible from May and early June.

Facilities

Where to Stay

Camping in this area is just a matter of finding a nice place to pitch a tent or a swag. Good areas are available in either Pykes Flat or the Kings Hut/Pineapple Flat area. Due to the mountainous terrain there is only limited places available on Mount Stirling, but if the weather is fine these should be sufficient.

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

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