Mount Stirling

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.

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.

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.

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.