Mt. Buffalo

Mt. Buffalo is in an area of mountains known as the Victorian Alps. The foot of the mountain is about a 2 hour drive from our home in Yarrawonga. Fall was setting in and the weather was still warm and the air was cool and breezy. It was a perfect day for some exploring and hiking.

First stop along the way were the wineries beyond Mertylford where there were lines of trees along the roadside footpath. We went for a walk and took pictures of the scenery.

It was another hour or so from there to the top of the mountain where the first stop was a picnic area near a trail head that led to the old Chalet.

It was much cooler here than down in the valleys.

How much fun can you have with an old rusty chain blocking the roadway?

Heaps, apparently.

On the way to the Chalet we hiked along a trail with no railings that often led to massive drops and stunning shear cliffs. Absolutely beautiful, but not too comforting with 4 rowdy children.

Thank goodness the lookouts had railings. But it was still a bit unnerving. However the sights were breathtaking.

Mel and Maeby taking a rest and enjoying the stunning views.

Sisters are awesome!

This was at one point a popular launching point for hang gliders, and you can see why.

This is the lookout down a ways from the Chalet.

After our visit to the Chalet, we drove over to another part of the mountain and did the hike to the Monolith, a massive rock that is seemingly teetering and barely balanced on end. The hike was nice and the views were even better.

Maeby hitching a ride on her mule. She was really funny, she was driving him like a mule, yanking on his ears to tell him which way to go. They had a great time and Daddy Mule got a good workout.

Melanie coming up the last bit of the trail.

Spencer was just relaxing and taking in the view one he got to the top.

Liam was bounding over every rock and scaring the heck out of both Will and I as he edged closer and closer to a sudden fall to his death. He had to be reigned in a few times.

Maeby and Daddy on top of the world.

Lummy on top of another rock, what a surprise.

We were all tuckered out after the hike.

Back in Mertyford on the way back home we stopped at "The Phoenix Tree", a work of art there in the town center. It was pretty amazing and the kids had some fun climbing around on it.

After that, we stopped in Wangaratta for dinner then headed home. All in all a great adventurous day. How lucky we are to be here in this beautiful part of Australia.