Episode 39: Alpine Camping

Mansfield Mansfield is a town of folklore from its history of early squatters to the heady days of the Gold Rush era to the time when bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang ruled the ranges. The High Country village is commonly a stop off for skiers on their way to Mt Buller. If you want to get into the historic theme of things then the Mansfield Holiday Park offers a Miners Cottages and a horse paddock available if you want to bring your pony. Set on 17 acres the holiday park also offers ensuite and standard cabins along with tent and caravan sites. If you're looking for a ride into town you can jump on the park owners horse draw stage coach, as Suzie did. She was dropped off right at the front door of the Mansfield Regional Produce Store, the perfect destination for lunch. From there she headed to the cellar door at the Delatite Winery just seven minutes from town and set on a picturesque property.

Mansfield Holiday Park
Mt Buller Rd, Mansfield
Ph: 03 5775 1383
www.mansfieldholidaypark.com.au

Mansfield Regional Produce Store
68 High St, Mansfield
Ph: 03 5779 1404
www.theproducestore.com.au

Delatite Winery
Off Mt Buller Rd (Stoneys Rd), Mansfield
Ph: 03 5775 2922
www.delatitewinery.com.au

Tolmie
The best part about going away on holidays isn't just the place that you go; its the characters you meet along the way. Just past Mansfield at the base of the snowfields, Tolmie was devastated by fires in 2006/2007. However in true Aussie fashion the town and its people have bounced back better than ever and now it's a popular spot with tourists and holiday makers. Many of Tolmies visitors are following the old trail of the Kelly gang. Stringybark creek became famous on 26 October 1878 when the Kelly gang had their shootout with police which went on to be the biggest manhunt in Australian history. Just over the other side of the creek you'll find the camping grounds which are surrounded by state forest. Glen sets up camp in the ultimate Track Trailer Topaz off road caravan that goes where most other caravans can only dream of going. It has been designed, engineered and built for hard core off road camping. If you want to escape to remote locations while doing it in luxury, this is the caravan for you.

Track Trailer
403 Dorset Road, Bayswater
1800 698 826
www.tracktrailer.com.au

Tomlie Tavern
Mansfield-Tolmie Rd, Tolmie
Ph: 03 5776 2389

Mount Buffalo
With their wedding only a month away, Brodie takes her fiancée Heath along on her last assignment for the year. Heath is out to prove to Brodie that camping can be romantic, particularly when it's in a beautiful bush setting like Mount Buffalo National Park. While the champagne is chilling in the esky the happy couple set out to try some of the great activities the park has to offer. With 31,000 hectares of National Park at your disposal mountain bike riding is a great way to get around, or if bushwalking is more your style there's over 90kms of walking trials that range from 30 minute strolls through to 30km day hikes. Trying to further impress his future Mrs, Heath orders a scrumptious gourmet hamper of all local wines and food from Gunstead in Milawa. And in such a massive park you wont have too much trouble finding the perfect picnic spot all to yourselves.

Lake Cantini Campground
Mount Buffalo National Park
Ph: 03 5756 2328
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Adventure Guides Australia
Ph: 0408 238 448
www.adventureguidesaustralia.com.au

The Larder
Keown Lodge - Dingo Dell, Mount Buffalo
Ph: 03 5755 1590

Boynton Winery - Porepunkah
The Great Alpine Road has so much more to offer than just being a winter playground. It is one of the premier wine growing regions of Australia so fittingly, Glen checks out one of the areas best. Boyntons Feathertop Winery is the perfect spot to wet your lips, grab a feed or stock up for the journey ahead. If you're looking to stick around you can set up camp just down the road at the Porepunkah Pines tourist resort. The latest compact campers on the market are a piece of cake to throw behind the car and best of all, you can have them ready to go in a couple of minutes. Avan campers have been designed for everyone from singles to families looking for a home on wheels with all the bells and whistles. Porepunkah Pines have a few accommodation options including powered sites, ensuite sites and a range of cabins, including the superior spa cabin.

Boyntons Feathertop Winery
6619 Great Alpine Road Porepunkah
Ph: 03 5756 2356
www.boynton.com.au

Porepunkah Pines Tourist Resort
7065 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah
Ph: 5756 2282
www.porepunkahresort.com.au

Avan Campers
Ph: 03 9786 7711
www.avanrv.com.au

Pizzini Gnocchi Fiesta
Gorgi is invited to fall in love with all things Italian in the King Valley and joins in the festivities the Pizzini Winery Gnocchi Fiesta. The Pizzinis have lived in the King Valley since the late 1950s. Originally tobacco famers, they now produce some of the most acclaimed wines in the region. As passionate as Italians are for their wine, nothing comes close to their love for simply prepared and simply delicious food. Gnocchi making isn't for the faint hearted and it requires patience and practice that Gorgi sets about learning from Nonna. While gnocchi maybe an Italian tradition, Nonnas pride and joy is her beautiful English garden and with the heady fragrance of aromatic azaleas it's the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of outstanding Sangeoveise.

Pizzini Wines
175 King Valley Road, Whitfield
Ph: 03 5729 8278
www.pizzini.com.au

What's On

Strawberry and Cherry Weekend Festival
If you're looking for a sweet and delicious treat next weekend then check out the inaugural Strawberry and Cherry Festival, being held in Bacchus Marsh.
Where: Bacchus Marsh
When: 22 - 23 November
More: Ph 03 5367 5250 or visit www.visitbacchusmarsh.com.au

Warrantina Lavender Harvest Festival
Or for something more fragrant - head to the annual Lavender Harvest Festival, set amidst the purple fields of the Yarra Valley next Sunday.
Where: Yarra Valley
When: 23 November
More: Ph 03 5964 4650 or visit www.warratinalavender.com.au

Queenscliff Music Festival
A must not miss for music lovers is the Queenscliff Music Festival, being held in the picturesque seaside town at the end of November.
Where: Queenscliff
When: 28 - 30 November
More: Ph 1300 884 843 or visit www.qmf.net.au