Victoria - Australia 2004 - page 585

for A$19 (US$12). There are also two fully self-contained apartments for $55
(US$36). The owner offers daily transport to Tidal River for A$22 (US$14)
each way; the trip takes around 45 minutes.
WHERE TO STAY
The national park's Tourist Information Centre operates 17 self-contained cab-
ins costing A$119 to A$130 (US$77-US$84) a night for two, depending on the
season. They can accommodate up to six people; each extra adult costs A$17
(US$11) and each child A$11 (US$7.15). In addition, five “Lorikeet” units cost
A$58 to A$93 (US$38-US$60) a night for two and A$94 to A$134 (US$61-
US$87) for three or four (higher prices in summer). For bookings call & 03/
5680 9500 or fax [phone].
Waratah Park Country House If you don't feel like roughing it, this is the
only place within the park that will do. Rooms, with king-size beds and double
Jacuzzis, offer stunning views over Wilsons Promontory and a dozen or so
islands. The food here is excellent, too. The hotel is also next to the new Cape
Liptrap Coastal Park, home to some 120 species of birds.
It's a friendly place, and the hosts will sit down with you and go through the
things you want to do in the area. A V/Line coach operates from Melbourne to
Fish Creek (about 10 min. away), and the owner will pick you up at the station.
Thomson Rd., Waratah Bay, VIC 3959. & 03/5683 2575. Fax [phone]. www.wpe.com.au. 6 units. A$78
(US$51) including breakfast; A$115 (US$75) Sun-Thurs (including 4-course dinner and breakfast); A$280
(US$182) for weekend package including 2 nights' lodgings, 2 breakfasts, and 2 4-course dinners. All rates
are per person. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; babysitting (for dinnertime only); nonsmoking rooms.
Inroom:TV, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
5 The High Country
Victoria's High Country is made up of the hills and mountains of the Great
Dividing Range, which runs from Queensland, through New South Wales, to
just before Ballarat, where it drops away and reappears in the mountains of the
Grampians, in the western part of Victoria. The range separates inland Australia
from the greener coastal belt. The highest mountain in the Victorian segment of
the range is Mt. Bogong, which at just 1,988m (6,521 ft.) is minuscule by world
mountain standards.
The main attractions of the High Country are its natural features, which
include moorland and typical mountainous alpine scenery. It's also popular for
its outdoor activities, including hiking, canoeing, white-water rafting, mountain
bike riding and rock climbing. The High Country is also the home of the Vic-
torian ski fields, based around Mt. Buller, Mt. Stirling, Falls Creek, Mt. Buffalo,
and Mt. Hotham. If you plan to go walking here make sure you have plenty of
water and sunscreen, as well as a tent and a good-quality sleeping bag. As in any
alpine region temperatures can plummet dramatically. In summer, days can be
very hot, and nights very cold.
SNOWY RIVER NATIONAL PARK
390km (242 miles) NE of Melbourne
The Snowy River National Park, with its lovely river scenery and magnificent
gorges, protects Victoria's largest forest wilderness areas. The Snowy River was
once a torrent worthy of Banjo Paterson's famous poem, but since Snowy Moun-
tain Hydro-Electric came along and erected a series of dams, it's become a mere
trickle of its former self.