Guided Tours - Abseiling, rock climbing, caving and history tours

Abseilingis a user friendly activity that is suitable for most ages and levels offitness. It is simply a method of descending a cliff by using ropes, harnessesand various devices. Our organisation has been running Recreational Educationaland Corporate Abseiling at Mt Buffalo for over 10 Years. The RecreationalAbseiling conducted by our organisation has safeguards built in (calledBelaying) where our staff can take over control of the descent if theparticipant has any problems. We also have a coaching rope on all of oursmaller abseils (up to 100 metres) and the dispatcher (the person who hooks youon) can even abseil over the edge with you (if necessary) to provide the levelof coaching needed.?

MtBuffalo, a huge granite plateau with almost endless views to the Victorian andNSW Alps, rises above the pretty and peaceful Ovens Valley. It?s about 3.5hours from Melbourne and 1.5 hours from Albury/Wodonga, and the road fromBright (the nearest tourist village) is sealed. En route are forests rich withwildlife, including wallabies and lyrebirds, and beautiful views of countrysidedotted with farms, vineyards and orchards.

ADVENTURE Experience 1

 AdventureAbseiling at Mt Buffalo to 45 metre freefalls - full day experience $205pp minof 2 people

Therate does not include transport, accommodation, meals (except lunch) or entryfee to Mt Buffalo National Park ($9.90 per vehicle). 

An exhilarating but achievable adventure

• 10, 25, 35 and 45 metre (free-fall) abseils

• Challenging but suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels

• Located on the rim of Mt Buffalo Gorge

• Views to the Victorian and NSW Alps

• Good road access, parking, toilet facilities on site
• Gourmet lunch

• One leader and all safety gear

• We meet at the Mt Buffalo Gorge Visitors car park at a time to suit the group

Ourfull day adventure abseiling is a memorable experience that?s suitable forbeginners and those with previous experience. First we practice abseilingtechniques on the 10 to 35-metre beginner?s abseil sites on the South Wall andat Echo Point. Then we move to the adventure 45 metre abseil ?The Dragon? wherewe descend to the point where you can no longer touch the cliff. From there,it?s down the rope in mid-air to the landing point far below.

A small?top belayed? rock climb returns us to the track at the top of the cliff, thenit?s back to the dispatch point to do the descent again, taking note of thelessons learnt on the first descent. This experience takes 5 to 6 hours and isregarded as one of the best full-day adventures in Victoria.

ADVENTURE Experience 2

Multi-pitch abseiling at Mt Buffalo to 250 metres -full day experience $250pp min of 2 people 

• Full day adventure (9.30 am to 5.30 pm)

• Two leaders and all safety gear provided

• abseiling on the rim of the awesome Mt Buffalo Gorge

• 5, 35, and 250 metre (multi pitch) abseil adventures

• Extraordinary views to Mt Kosciusko

• Suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels
• Close to parking and facilities

• Gourmet lunch

• We meet at the Mt Buffalo Gorge Visitors car park at a time to suit the group

Our abseil site is located right at the edge of the 300 metre Mt Buffalo Gorge, andhas a sealed car park and toilets. This is an achievable activity for a widerange of ages and fitness levels, with the adventure commencing on ourbeginner?s 25-metre abseil site. From there, we work through a range of singlepitch abseils to the awesome 45-metre free-fall abseil ?The Dragon?. After agourmet lunch, we complete these abseils then travel to the bottom of the gorgeon our 250 metre multi-pitch alpine abseil. Three pitches are involved, thelongest more than 90 metres. 

We walkback to the top of the gorge through granite boulders, cliffs and ledges,stopping to appreciate the awesome scenery and views.

ADVENTURE Experience 3

Mt Buffalo 300 metre abseil - full day experience$355pp min of 1 person 

Anamazing world class challenging adventure experience

• 160m first pitch on the North wall

• Three further mountaineering pitches

• Challenging climb and walk out of Mt Buffalo Gorge

• Two Leaders and all safety gear provided

• Gourmet lunch

• Close to parking and facilities

• We meet at the Mt Buffalo Gorge Visitors car park at a time to suit the group

 

At 300metres high, the North Wall of Mt Buffalo Gorge is a major granite featurethat?s internationally regarded as an abseiling challenge. 

Theusual descent is by first abseiling 160 metres on a single rope in an areanormally only accessible to skilled rock climbers, down to a large ledge. Wethen use double rope ?pull down? systems to descend a further 3 x 50 metrepitches to the gorge floor, stopping on small ledges. The descent can take upto 3.5 hours dependent on group size, experience and weather. From the bottomof the cliff, we walk to the crystal brook for lunch.

Theroute back is via a creek crossing, then a climb directly up a steep crevasseto the top of the gorge. Some areas need to be top roped as there is rockclimbing involved. In wet weather there is an alternative route back.

ADVENTURE Experience 4

Rock Climbing Mt Buffalo

- full day experience $205pp min of 2 people 

IntroductoryRock Climbing at Mt Buffalo A thrilling full day adventure

• An exhilarating but achievable adventure day
• Gourmet lunch

• One leader and all safety gear

• Climb on a range of cliffs as an introduction to the adventure

• Challenging but suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels

• We climb at a range of locations on the plateau

• Views to the Victorian and NSW Alps
• Good road access, parking, toilet facilities on the mountain

• We meet at the Mt Buffalo Gorge Visitors car park at a time to suit the group

 

Ourfull day climbing adventure is a memorable experience that?s suitable forbeginners and those with some previous experience. First we practice techniqueson some small climbs. Then we move to other locations as the day progresses andour skills improve.

We willfinish our day by ascending the magnificent Cathedral pinnacle where we climbthree pitches to reach the top and then abseil back down to the bottom again.

ADVENTURE Experience 5

Day walk to Mt Feathertop Summit

(Victoria?s second highest mountain)- full dayexperience $155pp min of 2 people 

Achallenging but achievable full day adventure walk

• An exhilarating but achievable bush walk

• Gourmet lunch

• One leader, daypacks and wet weather top.

• There are three routes available

• Challenging but suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels

• The walks commence either at Harrietville or near Mt Hotham

• Views to the Victorian and NSW Alps

• Good road access, parking at commencement points

• To be arranged with the specific client group.

1. Mt Feather Top, a magnificent alpine peak (Snow covered in winter and early spring) with almost endless views to the Victorian and NSW Alps, rises above the pretty and peaceful Ovens Valley. It?s about 4 hours from Melbourne and 1.5 hours from Albury/Wodonga, and the road from Bright (the nearest tourist village) is sealed. En route are forests rich with wildlife, including wallabies and lyrebirds, and beautiful views of countryside dotted with farms, vineyards and orchards.
2. Our full day adventure walk commences either at Harrietville a small gold fields town nestled at the headwaters of the Ovens river or from the alpine spurs near Mt Hotham a further 40 minute drive from Harrietville. The Mt Hotham option has the less steep walking option and all the walks are ?there and back again? although for an extra fee we can have a vehicle pick us up at one of the other start points so that we can ascend the mountain via one route and descend on another.
3. A small ?top belayed? rock climb returns us to the track at the top of the cliff, then it?s back to the dispatch point to do the descent again, taking note of the lessons learnt on the first descent. This experience takes 5 to 6 hours and is regarded as one of the best full-day adventures in Victoria.

OTHERWALKS

1. Other walks include the Big walk to the top of Mt Buffalo, the walk to the summit of Mt Bogong (Victoria tallest peak) Walks from Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and around Beechworth and Bright. Specific needs such as history, wildlife etc. can be catered for.

ADVENTURE Experience 6

History and Heritage Tours in North East Victoria

full day experience $155pp min of 2 people 

Includes gourmet lunch and all museum entry fees

• Human Occupation of North East Victoria over the Millennia - Stepping back in time

• A ?tag a long? nature and history based adventure in and around the Historical gold fields town of Beechworth.

• Learn about the first humans to settle the region some 10 to 15, 000 years ago (or more) and how they lived and flourished prior to European settlement, we look at the subsequent waves of immigrants leading to the present day and their impact on the area
• Suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels

• We walk to aboriginal art sites and gold field remnants where we pan for gold

• Views to the Victorian Alps from the Mt Pilot Lookout

• Includes entry to a range of Museums and cultural displays at Beechworth.

• Historical town walk at Beechworth

• Content can also be tailored to suit your specific interests

• Gourmet lunch

• Meet at Beechworth Visitors Information Centre

We meetat the town hall gardens in Beechworth and after a short discussion on the daycommence a town tour to look at the historical street scapes and how thevarious cultures have influenced the town?s development.

We willalso visit the Burke Museum and Chinese heritage displays

Duringthe day we will drive to view points and also the Mt Pilot Aboriginal Art sitesand Woolshed Valley Gold field where we will pan for gold.(This is near thespot where members of the Kelly Gang killed Aaron Sheritt just prior to thesiege at Glenrowan in 1880)

Horse Riding - Horse Riding from $70pp

Themountain valleys of North East Victoria abound with colourful bird life,majestic views, lush pastures and a delightful climate.  Experience riding these beautiful tracks ofthe Alpine National Park, through tall mountain forests, fern gullies and rivercrossings, whilst enjoying the magnificent views of the Kiewa Valley andsurrounding mountain peaks.  Offering Beginner Lessons, Half and Full DayRides as well as over-night and multi day pack horse adventures through theAlpine Valleys, and Alpine High Country such as Mt Hotham and Falls Creekareas. Victorian Toursim Award Winners.

Fly Fishing the Spectacular Rivers and Creeks ofthe North East's Alpine Valleys -Fly Fishing from $90pp

3 hoursFrom $205 pp (1 ) $110 pp (2) $90 pp (3) & $70pp (4 people) Also ½ day andfull day

? Comeand join us on a great adventure, fly fishing for wild trout in sparklingmountain streams. You won?t regret it, not ever!"

Noprevious experience is necessary, we will teach you everything. Join fishingguide Geoff Lacey and develop new skills and a greater sensitivity for naturewhile enjoying the unique beauty of the Australian bush. We provide everything;fishing gear, waders, lunch, the lot. You just bring your camera and perhaps achange of clothes in case you fall in! Choose from a part day, half day, wholeday or multi day trip, each tailored to suit your situation and pocket.Different trips are designed to meet the needs of first-timers, occasionalanglers and die-hard enthusiasts.

Microlighting from $70pp

?Microlights,powered hang gliders, are factory made to aircraft safety standards, andapproved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This is the perfect way toexplore the beautiful Ovens Valley and the spectacular Mount Buffalo plateaufrom the air - an unforgettable experience! 10 minute to 30 minute flights.

Duringall flights you will be shown how the glider is controlled, and will then begiven the opportunity to control the glider under instruction. At the highestpoint of your flight, (either 3000 or 6000 feet), the engine will be switchedoff for a silent glide back to the airstrip. At this point you will experiencewhat un-powered flight feels like?this is the closest you get to flying like aneagle.

Fly upto a height of 3000 feet above the ground. Take the time to absorb the grandeurof the wooded high country and the patchwork river valleys surrounding thepicturesque resort town of Bright. In winter, see the majesty of Australia'ssnow-capped ski mountains, stretching from Mt.Buller to Mt.Bogong and beyond.10 minute to 30 minute flights.

We havewing-mounted 5 mega pixel digital cameras to capture your whole flight which isburnt onto a CD for you to view after your flight. From this vantage point withour wide-angle lens we capture you in the foreground as well as the beautifulscenery below. These top quality digital photos are memories that will lastforever. Participants in all of our flights receive a certificate of merit fortheir achievement, which counts towards further training in Microlighting.?

Caving Mt Buffalo - ½ day from $99 pp 

?TheCave is a Granite Boulder Infill Cave some 400 metres long with about 100 to150 metres easily navigable (for a normal group, this can take up to 1 and 1/2to 2 hours). During Nov to Jan there is often swift running water in the Caveand this adds to the adventure. The expedition is always partly in water andyou will get wet and cold, There are specific clothing requirements. These canbe forwarded to you.

Thereare glow worms in the cave and although they are sometimes elusive, they canoften be seen from early January to the end of Summer. There are also cavedwelling spiders, cave crickets and other insects. In Early autumn there areunusual Fungi in the cave as well.?