HIKING AND WALKING TRAILS

Mount Buller to Mt Stirling Trail:
The well-marked trail between the sister peaks winds through forests of Alpine Ash and snow gum to the summit of Mt Stirling (1,747m), where spectacular views take in the dramatic Crosscut Saw, Mount Buller and Mount Buffalo .
Add a dash of popular culture to your walk by continuing on to nearby Craigs' Hut, a film set used in the making of 'The Man from Snowy River '. Mount Buller (1,807 metres) itself offers exciting walking and riding alternatives: take the short trail to the summit – or see why the region is a mountain biker's favourite.

Alpine National Park:
From a pleasant grassy clearing beside the Howqua River , the track climbs steadily through dry open forest along Eight Mile Spur. The final stages of the ascent to the rugged natural ramparts of the Bluff are quite steep, but the rewards are soon evident. From the treeless 1,725 metre summit a spectacular alpine panorama unfolds, stretching to Mount Buller in the north and faraway Lake Eildon .
The trail continues through alpine meadows, carpeted with brilliant wildflowers in early summer, to Bluff Hut and a sheltered campsite among the nearby snow gums. Next morning, descend along a 4WD road on Sixteen Mile Spur to the Howqua River, then follow the river valley past Ritchies Hut to the start of the trail at Eight Mile Flat. Commercial tour operators also run horse-riding trips to the Bluff.

Canoeing, kayaking and rafting – High Country
For a spot of High Country adventure, take to the water in a canoe, kayak or raft.

The beautiful Howqua and Delatite rivers outside Mansfield are also popular with canoeists, kayakers and white water rafters in summer. Both rivers are rated from easy to challenging according to water levels. High water means high rapids and these should only be tackled by experienced paddlers.

The Goulburn River from the Eildon Pondage to the Blue Gums Caravan Park rapids is arguably the most popular river section in Victoria, with lines forming at some of the rapids to surf the better waves. Being a official training site of Slalom squads and one of the few places to paddle in summer it does at time become crowded.

The Goulburn is a fantastic venue that suits almost all paddlers interested in a fun day on the river. To paddle from the pondage wall is great for beginners on their first river trip with ‘S-Bend' and ‘Blue Gums Rapid' providing excellent eddies for practice. With the Blue Gums Caravan park situated right on the river there is the opportunity to park and play for all those wanting to improve their skills. Surfing, basic rodeo, advanced boat manoeuvring and slalom gates are all available for paddlers in the last 800m of this section.

A great place to spend the weekend honing the skills over the long hot summer if you don't mind sharing the place it is a nice spot to visit.

Horse Riding in the High Country
High Country lies at the heart of the biggest recreational horse riding area in Australia, and has plenty to offer both the novice and experienced rider.
Take in some of Australia's most beautiful alpine scenery – ride with one of the legendary mountain horsemen like Bruce McCormack or Charlie Lovick during a summer muster or visit rustic cattlemen's huts on the Bogong High Plains.
Choose from a range of guided options, from pleasant rides of a couple of hours along quiet bushland trails to 3 or 4 day packhorse tour of eventful days and relaxing evenings spent around the campfire.
Tour operators provide horses, equipment and basic tuition suited to your experience and abilities. All operators are licensed and committed to maintaining high safety standards, and experienced and fully trained staff lead and supervise all trail rides.

Local horse riding tours are available at Rubicon Valley Horse Riding.

THE LAKE
Lake Eildon is Victoria's inland waterway Mecca for boating. With over 540 km's of shoreline, ranging from Bonnie Doon at the Northern end to Jamieson 63 km's away (by water) in the Southern region, the lake caters for a vast variety of boats.

Boat Types
There are 760 permanent houseboats moored on Lake Eildon. Speedboats, fishing boats, personal watercraft (power skis) and canoes are frequent users of our lake. Trailer sailers are occasional visitors but the sometimes gusty conditions are not ideal.

Fishing
Lake Eildon and district is one of Australia's most popular freshwater fishing destinations. It's proximity to Melbourne also make it a preferred location for Angling Club Competitions.

Brown trout, rainbow trout, redfin, perch, Murray cod, roach, tench, and carp are some of the species that can be caught around Lake Eildon and local rivers.
Whether you are a fly fisherman, or prefer bait or lure fishing, the major rivers and tributaries provide much enjoyment for the serious sportsperson or annual holiday angler. Others may prefer fishing on Lake Eildon itself either using a hire boat, or of course, their own boat.

The pondage at the Eildon township has the prime function of regulating the water releases between Lake Eildon and the Goulburn River, but over the years has become a favourite fishing spot for many, including families. The pondage is located in the township, and surrounded by parkland and grassed areas. A pier has been built by the Lions Club, and provides safe and easy fishing access for people in wheelchairs or those who may have difficulties accessing traditional riverbanks. The pier is believed to be the only one in Australia built for this purpose.

The Snobs Creek Hatchery regularly stocks the pondage with trout. Thousands of these fish are released each year, and caught. It is not unusal to have a youngster to catch his first trout here, and to be the envy of all onlookers when it weighs in at 3 to 5 kgs.

If fishing in the traditional style is not for you, and you want to take trout home to show your friends, you will find several "Catch your Own" trout fishing venues in the area. Fishing in these locations is also particularly popular with families and youngsters. Life can be too easy sometimes, particularly when all equipment is provided. Paying for what you catch, at some centres, the fish will also be cleaned and packed for travel.
Don't have your rod with you? You can hire rods and equipment at some of the bait and tackle outlets. A temporary or an annual Victorian Fishing License can be also purchased at these outlets.

Local guides are available to teach Fly fishing, Course fishing or conventional bait and lure fishing, and of course boats are available for hire on Lake Eildon itself. Many fish are caught from the banks of the Lake, the rivers, and pondage.

Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre, Thornton

Snobs Creek Hatchery Freshwater Discovery Centre

Eildon Trout Farm
One look and you're hooked! Eildon Trout Farm is a fantastic place to take the family fishing. It is open 7 days a week, all year round.

Alpine Helicoptor Charter
Specialises in helicopter flights over the Victorian High Country and Alpine national Park. Based in Mansfield near Mount Buller, the scenery is stunning from the moment your take off on your personalised tour.

Rubicon Falls
Rubicon Falls are located 18kms south west of Eildon, via Thornton. The area is scenic and of historic interest, being involved in one of the state's first hydro electric schemes (c.1910).

Snobs Creek Falls
About 500 metres beyond the hatchery there is a signposted turnoff to the left into Snobs Creek Road which leads, after 6kms, to Snobs Creek Falls carpark. It is a short walk to observation points over the falls which drop more than 100 metres over a series of rocky outcrops. The views down the Goulburn Valley are spectacular.

For more information on the Eildon area visit the following links:

Lake Eildon Tourism
Please visit : www.lakeeildon.com

Murrindindi local tourism region
Please visit : www.murrindinditourism.com.au

Alexandra Tourism
Local information, attractions and events.
Please visit : www.alexandratourism.com

Murrindindi Shire Council
Local Shire information, directory, attractions and activities.
Please visit : www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au

Snobs Creek Vineyard
Please visit : www. snobscreekvineyard.com.au