Mansfield - about our town and district
Location: 185 km north-east of Melbourne via the Melba, Goulburn Valley and Maroondah Highways.
Elevation: 316 m above sea-level.
District population: 8000
A wide range of information is available from the
Mansfield Visitor Information Centre
(also called the Mansfield Interpretive Centre)
Address:
Railway Station Precinct, 167 Maroondah Highway, Mansfield Vic 3722
Phone: 1800 039 049 - Fax: (03) 5775 2518
Email: reservations@mansfield-mtbuller.com.au
Website: www.mansfield-mtbuller.com.au
Open daily from 9 am to 5.30pm.
The Centre offers an accommodation booking service and can advise on the availability of horse riding, bushwalking, canoeing, waterskiing, trout fishing, sail boarding, gold panning, fossicking, hot-air ballooning, 4WD tours, ski and equipment hire, mountain-bike riding and white-water rafting and any other activities you may wish to undertake.
It has a large selection of information brochures, including a booklet outlining the town's historic buildings as well as a comprehensive guide of the area - Adventures in the High Country, Mansfield and Mt Buller. As well, the Visitor Centre provides information about accessibility to venues and services for wheelchairs and disabled persons.
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About the area
Beautiful and practical Mansfield is a picturesque sub-alpine town of wide streets, old buildings and well-established trees. The Mansfield area is one of the State's beauty spots, with a wealth of waterways, mountains and forest areas close by.
The Mansfield township is situated on Fords Creek, in a pretty valley, surrounded by the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, and is near the north-eastern tip of Lake Eildon. It has a good range of local services and facilities, with the locally-based Mansfield Shire Council as the local government body.
It comes as no surprise that Mansfield and the surrounding district is a popular holiday destination.
With Lake Eildon, Maindample, Bonnie Doon, Ancona and Merton to the west;
Barjarg, Nillahcootie and Swanpool to the north;
Merrijig, Mirimbah, Mt Stirling and Mt Buller to the east;
Barwite and Tolmie to the north east;
and Piries, Goughs Bay, Macs Cove, Howqua Inlet, Jamieson, Kevington and Woods Point to the south,
the Mansfield area is full of possibilities.
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Settlements large and small Farming, gold exploration and timber led to the development of many townships, each with their own story to tell. A roadside sign is all that is left of some of them. Others are now home to residents or holidaymakers, keen to make the most of what the area offers.
Place names A1 Mine Settlement, Alpine Ridge, Barjarg, Barwite, Bonnie Doon, Booroolite, Bridge Creek, Delatite, Gaffneys Creek, Goughs Bay, Howes Creek, Howqua, Howqua Hills, Howqua Inlet, Jamieson, Kelvin View, Kevington, Macs Cove, Mahaikah, Maindample, Mansfield, Merton, Merrijig, Mirimbah, Mt Buller, Mountain Bay, Nillahcootie, Piries, Sawmill Settlement, Swanpool, Tatong, Timbertop, Toombullup, Tolmie, Woods Point
One big beauty spot Whatever the season, whatever the reason, a stay in Mansfield is the perfect way to relax and revive. The Mansfield area is renowned for its spectacular national parks, state forests, mountains, lakes and rivers, and historic links. The beauty of the local scenery has attracted filmmakers who have used it as the setting for the two "The Man From Snowy River" films, "The Far Country" and "Cool Change" as well as various documentaries.
Changing with the times: Mansfield's sense of history and adventure is still evident in the homes and buildings that have graced the landscape for several generations. New industries with more of a tourism focus have given visitors and residents alike many more reasons to stay in the area.
Read about Mansfield's early days on the Local History page.
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Outdoor Adventure: The rivers, lakes and mountains await lovers of the great outdoors. Go driving, hiking, camping, biking, horse riding, or in winter, skiing. See the sweeping views from Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, Blue Range, or The Paps.
Meander through the towering timber forests in the Tolmie hills where Ned Kelly used to roam. Perhaps you prefer to explore the waters of the Goulburn, Delatite and Howqua rivers, or Lakes Eildon and Nillahcootie where you can snooze on the bank, paddle, swim, fish, sail, watch the birdlife, or in some places, water ski.
Indoor Pleasure: If you enjoy life at a quiet stroll, acquaint yourself with the range of shops, galleries and dining establishments, or taste, without haste, at the several wineries throughout the area. Discover historic surprises with self-guided walking tours of the townships of Mansfield, Jamieson and Woods Point.
Stay a while: Accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets make the Mansfield area the ideal place any time of year for singles, couples, families or groups in search of a good time. Wherever you stay – and there is everything from camping to five star pampering – the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly. Discover Accommodation for your stay.
Play a while: In recent years, the Mansfield district, which was once predominantly farming and timbering, now caters for a wide range of interests and activities. Besides outdoor adventure activities, the area boasts a zoo, brewery, berry farm, olive orchards, lavender farms, historic sites and buildings, as well as a selection of art galleries, cellar door wineries, dining establishments and interesting shops. These are either right in Mansfield or within a few minutes drive. A visit to the Visitor Information precinct at the entrance to Mansfield is a must.
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Festivals, shows and bushmarkets
Mansfield 's annual events include a Harvest Festival on the Labour Day long weekend in March; the Spring Arts Walk and High Country Festival in late October-early November and the Agricultural Show on the third Saturday of November.
Several large bushmarkets are held on the Highett Street median strip during the year, as well as smaller ones opposite the Post Office on the third Sunday of each month.
Easter is a busy time in the Mansfield area, with art walks and exhibitions, the Mansfield and Jamieson bush markets, and various other fun activities in the surrounding towns.
More details on See and Do and What's On.
Mansfield offers something special to visitors whatever the season, and it is easy to see why so many return to the area time after time.
Visit the Whats On page for a full calendar of events in the area.
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Thank you:
Many thanks to www.walkabout.com.au for allowing us to use some information from their site, http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/VICMansfield.shtml
