Mt Sterling - Victoria

Oh and also, is there any problem with taking a small dog? As I’ve heard conflicting stories as to whether Craig’s Hut is in the National Park or on Crown Land. Thanks.

Mt Stirling is closed at the moment... Due to fires and stuff...

We called 2 days ago, and no idea when it will be open...

Mt.Stirling is in the Alpine Naional Park, and such a restriction on dogs, cats, firearms etc applies.
The best way to Craig's Hut from Mansfield, head towards Mt.Buller, at Mirimbah (the base of Mt.Buller, at the ticket box) turn left onto the Mt.Stirling Rd, then Left onto the Circuit Road at Telephone Box Junction. Craig's Hut is sign posted and it will take about 1hr from Mirimbah to the Hut. It's 2WD upto the Clear Hills Tk, then Very easy 4WD for 15-20min to the Hut.

Other Places of interest include, Lake Cobbler & Dandongadale Falls (NE of Mt.Stirling), Bindaree Falls & Bindaree Hut (SE of Mt.Stirling), King Hut & the King River (about 6 Very Easy river crossings 300m deep)
Also for a day trip you can cut from Mt.Stirling to Mt.Buller via Corn Hill Tk.
Also the Summit Rd is closed for track maintenance (again) and you will not be able to get to the top of Mt.Stirling.

Mt.Stirling is in the Alpine Naional Park, and such a restriction on dogs, cats, firearms etc applies.
The best way to Craig's Hut from Mansfield, head towards Mt.Buller, at Mirimbah (the base of Mt.Buller, at the ticket box) turn left onto the Mt.Stirling Rd, then Left onto the Circuit Road at Telephone Box Junction. Craig's Hut is sign posted and it will take about 1hr from Mirimbah to the Hut. It's 2WD upto the Clear Hills Tk, then Very easy 4WD for 15-20min to the Hut.

Other Places of interest include, Lake Cobbler & Dandongadale Falls (NE of Mt.Stirling), Bindaree Falls & Bindaree Hut (SE of Mt.Stirling), King Hut & the King River (about 6 Very Easy river crossings 300m deep)
Also for a day trip you can cut from Mt.Stirling to Mt.Buller via Corn Hill Tk.
Also the Summit Rd is closed for track maintenance (again) and you will not be able to get to the top of Mt.Stirling.

Hope this helps.
Owie

Wabonga and Cobbler Plateaus have good tracks - apart from those mentioned above, try Burnt Top Tk (great views to Mt Cobbler) and the Speculation Tk to Mt Spec (arguably the best views in the Alps from the top of Mt Spec - about 30 mins walk from the end of the track). That is, if they are open.

For more info, go to Parks Vic web site: http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/. They have brochures & park notes in pdf format for download - go to Alpine NP and see "publications".
See also Forestry Notes re Mt Stirling and other places:
http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/web/root/domino/cm_da/nreninf.nsf/vp/1BE5EE64FF648371CA256BC80008B2C9?OpenDocument&Count=1000

Check with Parks Vic re tracks/camping before you go.

Have a good trip.

It is interesting to see the different versions of wether it is open or shut at the moment.

I can see Mt Stirling from my lounge room at the moment and I also travelled up to the Summit and over to Craigs hut on Sunday. Yes 4 days ago. I can tell you that if you drive from Mirimbah up to Telephone Box junction you can go left to the Craigs hut but no further. From Telephone Box junction you can also turn right to the Howqua Gap but no further. However from Howqua gap you can go to Mt Buller via the quarry track or up and over the Summit of Stirling to Craigs hut. This road was in terrible condition last year but since the 4WD rally in Mansfield, the Stirling Resort Management Board have had the track repaired and it is currently in really good shape (Well done to all the protesters you actually got the job done). The other tracks around Stirling are shut due to the fire risk that is up here at the moment. The Howqua valley is also shut beyond Sheepyard Flat for the same reason.

Different Government departments are giving conflicting information about what is open and shut up here at the moment but foir Stirling you should call the Stirling Resort Management Board or the Mansfield Tourist Information Centre. Dogs are not permitted on Buller or Stirling.

The best route from Mansfield is also the only route from Mansfield via Merrijig and Mirimbah. Fill up with Diesel (if you use it) at the Shell in Mansfield as it is the only station that carrys Alpine Diesel over summer. We have snowfalls predicted over this weekend. Also there is no fuel after Mansfield.
A couple of great Camping Spots are at Mirimbah and Craigs Hut. Both have Toilets and shelter from the weather.

Cheers

Andy