Queesland » Bunya Mountains

The Bunya Mountains are located within the magnificent Sunshine Coast Hinterland - the range forms an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range. The resident rainforest is home to eucalpyt forests and the largest ancient Bunya pine forest in the World. This beautiful encounter with subtropical nature is just a short drive from Brisbane and the pretty coastal resorts on the Sunshine Coast.

The Bunya Mountains reach up to over 1100 metres, the tallest points being Mounts Mowbullum and Kiangarow. Since 1908, 11,700 hectares of the Bunya Mountains has been reserved as National Park, making it Queensland's second oldest national park.

Apart from offering magnificent ancient forests there are roughly 120 species of birds and a plentiful array of mammals and other animal life that call the Bunya Mountains National Park home. Indeed, some rare animals live here including both the Sooty and the Powerful owl. More common are the King Parrot with their bright colours and both the swamp and red-necked wallabies.

Within the National Park there are some 35 km of walking tracks, some short, some up to 10 km long. The available tracks have been numbered and classified according to experience and fitness levels.

Camping is available within three main camping areas at Dandabah, Westcott and Burton's Well. A camping permit is a requirement and attracts

The Great Dividing
The Great Dividing Range starts north east of Melbourne and heads east to the New South Wales border. The pretty alpine country offers a wide variety of activites from bushwalking and fishing, to rock climbing and skiing. Whatever time of year it is you should make sure you have a variety of supplies as temperatures can quickly change.

Just north east of Melbourne is Lake Eildon National Park and the pretty town of Eildon. There are plenty of water activites you can take part in on the lake, which is the parks main attraction. You can also get to Mt Buller from here, just south of Mansfield. Mt Buller is also home to Victorias largest skiing resort, Mt Buller Alpine Village. The village offers a selection of skiing slopes for all levels, as well as cross country skiing. You can get to Mt Buller on the V/Line buses which run to Mansfield from where you can take the Mansfield-Mt Buller Buslines to Mt Buller.

East of Mt Buller is the Alpine National Park which is in the heart of this alpine region, offering spectacular scenery. The Great Alpine Road leads through the Alpine National Park passing many of the skiing resorts and small towns along the way. To the south is Omeo which has a host of historic buildings worth wandering around. Several buildings include the Courthouse, Log Gaol and the State School. For those looking for adventure and excitement book one of the many activities in the area.

From Omeo you can continue along the Great Alpine Road or head along the Omeo Highway. Along the Omeo Highway you will reach Anglers Rest from where you can continue towards Glen Valley or turn off along the route onto the Kiewa Valley Highway. If you turn off you will pass Falls Creek before reaching Mt Beauty. Mt Beauty is a great place to stay if you want easy access to the Falls Creek Ski Resort, but don't want to stay in teh resort itself, as skiing equipment can be hired from town.

Continuing from Omeo along the Great Alpine Road you pass Dinner Plain before reaching Mt Hotham. Dinner Plain is a good base for the Mt Hotham Skiing Resort, and popular for hikking and horse riding. Continuing north the next town you reach is Harrietville, another great base for Mt Hotham and situated just south of Bright, which offers plenty of outdoor activites. Further north along the Great Alpine Road, you pass the Mt Buffalo National Park before you reach the pretty town of Myrtleford so called the 'Gateway to the Alps'.

From Myrtleford you can head north to both Beechworth and Yackandandah, which used to be an old gold mining town and features the Kars Reef Goldmine Tour as well as some spectacular Victorian buildings.

Alpine National Park

The Alpine National Park covers a vast area across the mid eastern section of Victoria, continuing across into New South Wales. The region offers plenty of outdoor activities including bushwalking, canoeing, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, and whitewater rafting.

There are plenty of bushwalking tracks around the National Park, including the fabulous 655km Australian Alps Walking Track which starts at Walhalla in Victoria leading to the Australian Capital Territory. If you are bushwalking then you need to make sure that you have all supplies that you might need and you should contact the Rangers before departing. Although there are designated camping areas, it is also possible to bush camp around the National Park.

Once winter hits in another attraction draws the visitors to this region, skiing. The main skiing areas include Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buffalo, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, and Falls Creek. Cross country skiing is also popular at Lake Mountain, Mt Donna Buang, Mt Stirling and Mt St Gwinear. If you are driving during the winter then check road conditions before you head off, as often many of the roads are closed.

Baw Baw National Park
Baw Baw National Park is beautiful hilly landscape, and home to Mt Baw Baw and the Mt Baw Baw Alpine Village. The village is a popular skiing resort during winter and ideal for novice skiers.

The majority of the runs are for intermediate skiers, although there are also a number of beginner runs and select advance runs. The Baw Baw National Park is also popular for cross country skiing.