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A model township, created for the construction workers on the Bogong High Plains (Kiewa) hydo-electricity scheme (1947), Mount Beauty is now largely a holiday resort.
Mt Bogong and the village of Mt Beauty
Mount Beauty is a launching point for trips to the ski resort, Falls Creek and to the Bogong High Plains. To this end there are several ski hire shops, several eateries and a bus company doing daily trips to and from the end of the road at Falls Creek. This town also has great views to the mountains, such as Mount Bogong and the peaks that are of interest to so many tourists coming through the town.
Where is it?: Victoria: High Country. Mount Beauty is 335 km north east of Melbourne at the junction of the Ovens and Kiewa Valley Highways.
Events:
Mount Beauty hosts the annual Bogong Festival in November to call people together and to perpetuate an ancient Aboriginal ritual. A hang gliding competition, the Bogong Cup, is held in January each year.
Mount Beauty Music Muster is a festival of music, dance and spoken word, held the last weekend in April every year. The festival prides itself in the variety and quality of the acts it attracts.
Mount Beauty Half Marathon is Australia's most scenic race with an emphasis on fun for the all the family. Held in May, it is the first part of the Great Alpine Challenge.
Things to see and do:
Mount Beauty is the starting point for a number of drives and walks through the surrounding High Country. The walks range from short half-hour strolls to multi day treks. Mount Beauty is also a centre for mountain biking and horese riding. More >>
The Survey Track was the original track used by Surveyors and early construction workers on the Kiewa Hyrdo Scheme. The section from Cranky Charlie's corner down to the golf course is a great walking and mountain biking track - there are some excellent views along the way.
The Mt Beauty Gliding Club operates an IS-28 two seat glider using a fixed site winch to launch the glider. The Club has about 30 members from around Victoria but mainly resident in north east Victoria and the upper Kiewa valley.
Surrounding area:
The lovely little holiday village of Bogong Alpine Village (14km south east) is just a short drive away and roughly half way between Mt Beauty and Falls Creek. Like Mount Beauty it has its own pondage for fishing and boating. It also has a number of beautiful picnic grounds and walks.
Falls Creek (30km south east) is one of Victoria's leading ski resorts. Built on land previously used only for summer cattle grazing in the natural alpine grasslands, the first ski lodge was built in 1948 by workers from the scheme. The first lift, a rope tow, was built in 1951 and the first chairlift in Australia was constructed there in 1957.
Falls Creek, with its higher altitude, is regarded as having better runs for proficient skiers than Mount Buffalo or Mount Buller and ranks with Mount Hotham as Victoria's best. It is also especially beginner/intermediate friendly, with almost 80% of the resort dedicated to these types of skiers/snowboarders.
Mt Bogong (1948 m) is the largest peak in Victoria, its massive bulk looms over the township of Mt Beauty. Standing at 1986 meters above sea level, this peak is a favorite amongst peak baggers, with many returning to climb this massive peak every year. The peak can be climbed in a fairly long day, however there are many safe areas to camp on the main summit ridge, and an overnight stay comes extremely highly recommend. More >>
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