Distance: 18.5km

 

Walk Description

These two peaks are rewarding destinations for walkers looking for remote and rugged country away from the hordes.  The Bluff and the North West Spur of Mt Buller both offer ‘blow your socks off’ views around the compass to points including the Cross Cut Saw, Eagles Peaks, Mt McDonald and much more.

 

FRIDAY:

Melbourne to Mansfield and dinner at the Delatite Hotel.  Then on to Sheepyard Flat, a total of 220 kilometres from Melbourne.  Camp overnight at Sheepyard Flat.

 

SATURDAY:

Planning for a relatively leisurely start.  Suggesting 9.00am departure from Sheep Yard Flat, driving up over Howqua Gap and on to Refrigerator Gap.

The walk starts at a car park just above Refrigerator Gap.

The most difficult part of the walk is the ascent of the north side of The Bluff, a climb of 400 metres in a little over one kilometre, and it includes some scrambling up over small bluffs.  But the views are amazing.

From the summit, the track follows the ridge down past the Blow Hole, then sidles up over the back of Mt Eadley Stoney, before dropping down to Bluff Hut.  The hut is about five kilometres from The Bluff.

The return to the cars is another fairly easy five kilometres via the jeep track, contouring round the north side of The Bluff.

 

SUNDAY.

A shorter walk today, but more climbing.  700 metres over four kilometres.

The walk starts at the junction of Doughty Road and a jeep track, about one kilometer north west of Round Hill.  Follow the jeep track up for about 200 metres, then just before a creek, pick up a foot track on the right and climb to Round Hill.  The climb is just on 300 meters over one and a half kilometres.

From this point, there is a further climb of 400 metres over two and a half kilometres, and that includes some scrambling up over small bluffs.  But the track follows the ridge, and the views will blow your socks off, both north over the Delitite, and south over the Howqua.

After enjoying the views from the summit, we’ll retrace our steps to the cars.

 

Equipment:  The walk is in alpine country, and severe weather conditions / blizzards are a possibility.  If you have any doubts about what is required, contact the leader, via our Enquiry button below, and/or refer to our Gear Checklist.

 

Water. 

You will need to carry at least a litre of water for the climbs on both Saturday and Sunday, more if its a warm to hot day.

Both walks are ridge walks so there is no water en-route.

Good water is available from the Howqua River at Sheep Yard Flat, although it probably should be treated.  Good water is also available from a small creek at the start of Sunday’s walk.

 

Food:  You will need food to cover breakfast on Saturday to lunch on Sunday.

 

Booking:

Booking is  requir:ed for this walk.  The Leader will confirm your acceptance onto the walk via an email.  A few days before the walk, the leader will organise car-pooling and provide details of where and when to meet.

Booking Fee:     Bushwalking Club Members  $Zip        Non Members  $10.00

Please pay the leader CASH at the start of the walk, NO credit cards.

Transport:  Car pooling to be arranged by leader.

Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please bring cash for this purpose.

 

Still have questions?

Check out Joining a walk and your safety

Check out What happens on a walk.

Check out Weekend and extended walks.

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.

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