Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

THE NORTHWEST: GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK 585
(US$16) for children under 15, and A$15 (US$9.75) for children under 8. Combination
lift and ski lesson packages are available. Buy lift tickets at the park offices
(& 13 19 63 in Victoria, or 03/5756 2328) from 9am to 3pm.
GETTING THERE From Melbourne take the Hume Freeway (M31) to
Wangaratta, then follow the Great Alpine Road to Porepunkah. From there follow
the Mount Buffalo Tourist Road.
VISITOR INFORMATION The nearest visitor information center is in the
town of Bright. Find the Bright Visitor Information Centre at 119 Gavan Street,
Bright, VIC 3741 (& 03/5755 2275).
WHERE TO STAY
You can camp in the park, especially at Lake Catani camping ground, but you
need a permit from the Parks Victoria ranger at the National Park entrance
booth. Camping costs A$12–A$17 (US$8–US$11) depending on season. The
Mt. Buffalo Lodge (& 1800/037 038 in Australia, or 03/5755 1988) has units
from A$140 to A$180 (US$91–US$117) in the ski season, and around half that
price in the low season.
Worth a Splurge
Mt. Buffalo Chalet Finds This rambling mountain guesthouse was built
in 1910 and retains a wonderful old-world feel. Standard rooms are small with a
comfortable bed and share a bathroom with others; Classic rooms are small but
have their own bathroom. Heritage rooms are larger, have a nice old-time feel
about them, and some have good views (ask for the View Heritage rooms); Tower
rooms have excellent National Park views and are popular with honeymooners;
Treetops rooms also have great views and are set apart from the main building.
They also have a kitchenette and a separate lounge, which makes them good for
small families. There’s a large lounge room and a billiards room, both with open
fireplaces. Meals are available for both guests and visitors. The associated Mt.
Buffalo Wilderness Lodge also has units, costing from A$140 to A$180
(US$91–US$117) in the ski season, and around half that price in the low season.
Mt. Buffalo National Park, VIC 3740. & 1800/037 038 in Australia, or 03/5755 1500. Fax 03/5755 1892.
www.mtbuffalochalet.com.au. 97 units, 72 with bathroom (some with shower only). A$100–A$150 (US$65–
US$97) standard room without bathroom; A$140–A$200 (US$91–US$130) Classic room with bathroom;
A$190–A$300 (US$123–US$195) Heritage view room with bathroom; A$210–A$320 (US$136–US$208)
Tower; A$240–A$350 (US$156–US$227) Treetops with balcony. Rates include park entry. Highest rates
Christmas to mid-Jan and Easter weekend, lowest rates in summer. Children rates 50% less. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities: Restaurant; bar; 2 grass tennis courts; exercise room; Jacuzzi; sauna; canoe rental; bike rental;
kids’ club on weekends.
6 The Northwest: Grampians National Park
260km (161 miles) NW of Melbourne
One of Victoria’s most popular attractions, the rugged Grampians National
Park rises some 1,000m (3,280 ft.) from the plains, appearing from the distance
like some kind of monumental island. The park, which is an ecological meeting
place of Victoria’s western volcanic plains and the forested Great Dividing
Range, contains one-third of all the wildflowers native to Victoria and most of
the surviving Aboriginal rock art in southeastern Australia. Almost 200 species
of birds, 35 different species of mammals, 28 species of reptiles, 11 species of
amphibians, and 6 species of freshwater fish have been discovered here. Kangaroos,
koalas, emus, gliders, and echidnas can be easily spotted.