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Mount Beauty - Cities, Towns and Localities |
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Located at the foot of Mount Bogong, Victoria’s highest mountain, is Mount
Beauty. During winter, it is packed with skiers and winter enthusiasts. Even
during the non-winter period, spring, summer and autumn, the town is the perfect
place to stay from which to visit the region. Being just 30 minutes drive to
Falls Creek, other activities in the region include sailing, swimming, cycling,
fishing, bushwalking and scenic drives. Drop in to the Alpine Discovery Centre
and have a chat to the visitor centre staff. The Centre offers a unique insight
into the history and development of the Kiewa Valley, the High Plains and Falls
Creek.
There is an audio-visual
presentation on the region, miniature working hydroelectric generator, as well
as travel guide brochures, maps,
giftware, souvenirs, tours, attractions and accommodation information.
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Click here for
Mount Beauty accommodation or
Victorian
Alpine accommodation: |
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| Mount Beauty Attractions |
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Erindale Alpacas
• 31 Reids Lane, CORAL BANK VIC • Ph: 03 5754 5330 • Fax:
03 5754 5331 •
• Open 10 am to 5 pm Wednesday - Sunday, public and school holidays. closed
February
• Visit the award winning Erindale Alpacas, where you can meet these
fascinating member of the Camelid family. Hand feed our friendly herd, learn
about these precious animals, handle their luxurious and resilient fleece which
was described by the Incas as the “Fibre of the Gods”, wander through our garden
with its picturesque views of the Kiewa Valley. Browse in our shop with alpaca
wool garments and other quality craft and gift items. Free admission,
wheelchair accessible and undercover viewing area.
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 World’s Longest Gum Leaf
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Annual event from Boxing Day to end of January
• On display in the Alpine
Discovery Centre is the framed winner of the inaugural
search for the “World’s Longest Gum Leaf” - 2003. Measuring a whopping 82.5 cm measured
along the stem (just under 2 ft 8 in) and this did not include the end of the
gum leaf which had been broken off!.
The leaf was found by
the Ryder Family in the Mountain Creek area inside the fire control line zone
doing GPS readings for the January ’03 Fires.
It is thought to be from a Victorian
Bluegum (Eucalyptus bicostata).
The ‘search’ is designed to provide fun and free
entertainment for kids and adults during their visit to Mt Beauty over the summer
holidays. It doesn’t require any special skill other than the will to have a
walk in the bush and a pair of eyes.
There are daily prizes fore the longest leaf of the day, as well as the overall
prize. There is no limit tot he number of times you can enter (but you are
limited to one entry per day). The daily winning leaf does not have to break any
records - it just has to beat the others in the entry box. Contact the Alpine
Discovery Centre for details of the next event. |
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In its inaugural search for the “World’s Longest Gum Leaf”, the search was cut
short by the devastating bushfires in northeast Victoria. In it’s short life
span the event attracted huge interest (389 leaves were entered) including
contact with the 1985 Guinness Book of Records winner, whose leaf was 77.5 cm.
The winner of the January 2003 longest leaf was a whopping 82.5 cm, found by a
local family - the Ryders. The tree on which the leaf was found was burnt
shortly afterwards by the bush fires. |
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 Calyx Drill Cores
• Located in front of the Alpine Discovery Centre are sample columns of rock cores
that were removed from the site of the Rocky Valley Spillway Shaft at the
commencement of its construction by using a Calyx Drilling Machine.
The samples are composed of granodiorite which is the predominant rock in the
area.
Scenic Lookouts
- Big Hill Lookout
• ‘Big Hill’ is the high hill
behind Mount Beauty. Access is gained by driving about 4 km up the Falls
Creek Road, turning right up the gravel road at Cranky Charlie and
proceeding towards the Wet Kiewa Power Station.
- Mount McKay Summit
• Accessible from early
summer until first snows. Drive beyond Falls Creek Village and take the
right-hand turn. Follow the signs to Mount McKay, The summit may not be
accessible to all vehicles. Even if you can’t reach your goal, the views are
spectacular.
- Sullivan’s Lookout
• Located on the Tawonga-Bright Road,
and overlooks Mount Beauty and the surrounding mountains.
- Tawonga Gap
• There is a viewing platform at
the top of the Tawonga Gap on the Tawonga-Bright Road.
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Fishing
• There is some excellent
fishing in the rivers and lakes around Mount Beauty and Falls Creek. The
predominant fish species is Brown Trout although some Rainbow Trout and Redfin
may be found. Various types of live bait can be used, together with lures and flys. Check on local regulations. If you are over 18 years or over, it is
illegal to fish without an inland fishing licence. Licences, bait and fishing
equipment may be obtained from Rocky Valley Bikes and Snowsports at their
Tawonga South store, Mobile Service Station and Pyles Service Station. Under
state laws, the river is closed to trout fishing during winter months: The
Pondage may be fished.
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Boating
• There are a number of places
for boating, including:
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Mount Beauty Pondage • Lakeside Ave, MOUNT BEAUTY
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Lake Guy • BOGONG VILLAGE
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Rocky Valley Dam • Bogong High
Plains Rd • Just beyond Falls Creek.
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Scenic Flights
• There are a number of
options including:
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Swimming
• There is a swimming complex
and a number of natural swimming spots:
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Outdoor Swimming Complex
• Off
Lakeside Ave, MOUNT BEAUTY • Ph: 03 5754 1181
• This outdoor solar heated
swimming complex includes 3 pools.
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The Rock Pools and Mermaid Pool
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Rock Pool Rd (off Damms Rd), MOUNT BEAUTY
• A natural swimming spot.
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Kiewa River
• Various spots on the
river.
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Near Ryder’s Bridge
• TAWONGA C
PARK
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Redbank Road
• 11 km on the
Wodonga side of Mount Beauty.
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Lake Guy • BOGONG VILLAGE
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Walks and Drives
• Mount Beauty and
the surrounding Bogong High Plains have some of Australia’s best walks and
drives. For information and suggested tracks call into the Alpine Discover
Centre for current information.
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