Steavenson Falls

Marysville (including Lake Mountain, Buxton, Taggerty, Narbethong and Cathedral Range State Park)
Pretty township popular as a starting point for bushwalks.
Marysville is a sub-alpine resort town of some 600 people noted for its scenic attractions, forest bushwalking and old-fashioned timber guesthouses. It is also the wintertime base for the cross-country ski fields of Lake Mountain. Marysville is beautifully located amidst tree-laden mountains at a bracing elevation, 96 km north-east of Melbourne and 9 km off the Maroondah Highway. It is especially attractive when the flowers bloom in spring and the trees shed their leaves in autumn.

Marysville started in the early 1860s as a camping place for diggers on their way east to the Woods Point goldfield. John Steavenson, the Assistant Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, made the site his headquarters while surveying and overseeing the construction of access roads to the new goldfields. He surveyed the townsite in 1863 or 1864 and named it after his wife Mary. At that time the Barton Brothers general store, bakery and butchery was in operation. They later established a delivery service to the goldfields via packhorse. 1865 saw farming commence with the first land sales and the appointment of a postmaster.

After the railway arrived at Healesville in 1889 guesthouses were established in the area, inaugurating the era of tourism which, together with timber and agriculture, replaced the goldmining which ceased in the district in 1914. Marysville subsequently became known as Melbourne's honeymoon capital with visitors drawn by the bushwalks and Steavenson Falls.

By the 1920s there were twelve guesthouses and an hotel. The Bartons converted their stables into a motor-car garage at this time to encourage automobile traffic. The Acheron Tourist Rd joined Marysville with Healesville in 1929.

The Wirreanda Festival is held in February. It incorporates a street parade, food-and-wine festival, art, craft and photography exhibitions, markets, childrens' activities, historical displays and the opening to the public of the area's best private gardens. Markets are held in the carpark at the Visitor Information Centre on the second Sunday of every month.

Things to see:  

Timber tram engine and log, adjacent information centre

Tourist Information
The Marysville & Mystic Mountains Visitor Information Centre is located at 180-190 Murchison St, opposite the service station. They can furnish detailed advice, maps and brochures regarding local attractions and opportunities for bushwalking, fishing in the local rivers, horseriding, cycling and swimming, as well as nordic skiing and tobogganing at Lake Mountain, tel: (03) 5963 4567 or email: info@marysvilletourism.com. They are open every day from 9.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Steavenson Falls
The major local attraction, since a track was first cut from Marysville in 1866, is Steavenson Falls, which are 3 km south-east of town along Falls Rd. There is a short walk from the carpark to the base of the falls where there are barbecue facilities. Another track leads up the side of the mountain to a more elevated perspective.

These are the tallest falls in the state, dropping 82 metres in three stages. They are fed by the Steavenson River which is named after John Steavenson who surveyed Marysville in 1863.

The falls and the path from the carpark are floodlit until midnight each evening by a hydro-electric generator. The possums are accustomed to being hand-fed at night if you are feeling generous.

Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden
En route to the falls, at 51 Falls Rd, is a collection of over 200 sculptural works in a beautiful garden setting. Coaches and groups are welcome and there is a guided tour. There is a small admissionfee (children are free), tel: (03) 5963 3513.

Burrangeen-Gallipoli Park and Historical Displays
The parks are located in the town centre. They contain a small weatherboard building that was once the police station. It is now home to the historical society* which uses it to house a photographic display. The park also has static displays relating to the timber industry. It is located in Pack Road and is open Saturdays from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5963 3552. There is a small entry fee.

Walking Tracks (including the Trestle Track, the Keppel Falls Track, the Oxlee and De La Rue Lookouts and the Wishing Well)
There are numerous outstanding walking tracks through the forest surrounding Marysville. Many are old timber tramways which were used to haul mountain ash to the timber mills. They are often well-signposted and are outlined in detail on material which is available from the town's information centre, or through Parks Victoria (tel: 131 963 or email: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au).

One of the easiest and most centrally-located walks starts at Kings Rd, behind Marylands Guest House. Just follow the small stream to the ferny glade known as the Beauty Spot (1 km).

The Trestle Track (2 km) is a particularly attractive walk that starts from the caravan park.

The Tree Fern Gully Track (4 km one-way) starts at Gallipoli Park in Murchison St. It leads along the Steavenson River to Steavenson Falls.

The Keppel Track (6 km) commences at the Beauty Spot and heads out of town on Kings Rd. It passes through stringybark and mountain ash forest into the hills above town to Keppel Lookout which offers excellent 360-degree views north down the Steavenson River. At the lookout carpark there is a short walk which leads to two other lookouts: Innes Lookout affords a prospect along the valley to Cathedral Range and Three Tower Lookout furnishes views west over the Acheron River Valley to Mt Dom Dom.

From this point there is another track that links Keppel Lookout with Steavenson Falls, passing Oxlee Lookout, from whence the views are superior, and De La Rue Lookout. Return to Marysville along Steavenson Rd or via the Tree Fern Gully Tack.

The Michaeldene Track (9 km) starts 500 m east of the Melbourne Rd roundabout where Cumberland Rd and Lady Talbot Drive meet. It takes in a natural spring known as the Wishing Well, the remains of a trestle bridge and timber tramway, and footbridges across the Dickinson and Taggerty Rivers.

Cumberland Scenic Reserve, Cambarville, the Big Culvert and Related Walking Tracks
Cumberland Scenic Reserve is 16 km east on the Woods Point Rd (along the way is Nicholls Lookout). The reserve was declared to protect a stand of mountain ash which contains the second-tallest tree in the world. There is a 4-km loop track which can be joined either at the Cumberland Rd carpark or the Cambarville Picnic Area. It takes in the remains of the Cambarville sawmill and associated township, which were largely destroyed by fire in 1970, Cora-Lyn Falls, Cumberland Falls, Barton's Lookout, The Big Culvert (a granite arch built c.1880 and now covered in moss), an old water race built by goldminers c.1870 to transport water to the Sovereign Mine on the Reefton Spur, Sovereign View (offering excellent views over Armstrong Creek Valley towards Warburton), and the Big Tree. The latter is the tallest living tree in the state, being 84 m high with a circumference of 5.2 metres near the base. A guiding pamphlet is available from the town's information centre or through Parks Victoria (tel: 131 963 or email: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au).

Lady Talbot Drive (including Phantom Falls, Keppel Falls and the Beeches Rainforest Walk)
Lady Talbot Forest Drive is a 48-km scenic loop-drive which starts 500 m along Woods Point Rd, heading out of Marysville. The first 11 km of the journey follow the Taggerty River through Marysville State Forest, passing the Wishing Well, Taggerty River Picnic Area and Athols Abbey Camping Area.

After 11 km you will enter Yarra Ranges National Park. First stop is Phantom Falls carpark. It is a 400-m walk to the viewing platform. The falls are spectacular in spring when the snow of Mt Margaret melts.

Another 600 m will bring you to Keppel Falls carpark. It is a 1-km walk to the viewing decks over the falls which were named after the brothers who settled here in the 1880s.

Less than a kilometre's drive from the falls carpark is Keppel Falls Lookout which offers excellent views of the Taggerty River Valley gathered around the falls.

It is about 2.5 more km to the Taggerty River Crossing and another 1.4 km to The Beeches carpark. The latter is an ancient rainforest with stands of moss and fern-covered Myrtle Beech, many of which are more than 300 years old. The two sites are joined by The Beeches Walk loop-track (4 km) which takes in the confluence of the Taggerty River and Whitehouse Creek and a stand of mountain ash - the second-largest tree species in the world. Watch out for the lyrebirds which are common in this area and are often seen after rain.

Beyond The Beeches 4WD is recommended although cars should be okay in DRY weather. A guiding pamphlet is available from the town's information centre or through Parks Victoria (tel: 131 963 or email: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au).

Lake Mountain Cross-Country Ski Resort
Lake Mountain (1530 m) is 21 km east of Marysville. It has 37 km of Nordic cross-country trails which are groomed daily and cater to every level of skill, as well as seven toboggan runs. Cross-country ski races are held throughout the season. There are snow-making facilities and ski patrols operate daily in the ski season. The mountain has a ski and toboggan hire service, a ski academy, 16 instructors, a kiosk, a public shelter, an amenities block, a shuttle service and a visitors' centre. The ski season lasts from mid-June to early October.

Gerraty's is the main parking area at the summit. The entry fee is $25 per car per day (a season pass for vehicles is $170) and $8 for pedestrians, cyclists, trailers, motor bikes and those on board buses. The trail fee is $10 for adults and $5.50 for children (5-17 years) with a season trail pass costing $100 for adults, $60 for children and $300 for a family (2 adults and up to 4 children). There is no trail fee if you are over 65.

In summer the walking tracks lead through snow-gum woodlands, open heaths and mountain wildflowers. Gerraty's carpark is the starting point of the Lady Mountain Summit Walk Loop Track (4 km) which takes in four lookouts, snow gum environs, Alpine heath and Alpine bogs. The track climbs steeply for 200 m but soon levels out. A track leads to Marysville Lookout then branches west from a point just below the summit. It loops back to the summit from whence another section of the track heads east to the Alps Lookout. It then proceeds south to Sherlocks Lookout. Backtrack a short distance then take the track on the left to Taggerty Valley View, then head back to Gerraty's via the summit.

Other tracks are the Jubilee Trail (to Mt Buller and Mt Stirling), the Panorama Trail (to Mt Bullfight and The Bluff) and the Royston Trail (to Mt Dom Dom, Dom Dom Saddle, Mt St Leonard and views of the Melbourne skyline). Guiding pamphlets are available from the town's information centre or through Parks Victoria (tel: 131 963 or email: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au).

There is no accommodation at the mountain but plenty at Marysville where you can also hire ski, toboggan and winter-sport equipment. In the ski season, a bus service operates from Marysville. For further information ring the Marysville Information Centre.

Cathedral Range State Park
Cathedral Range State Park (3577 ha) is a rugged 7-km mountain ridge featuring some outstanding peaks, abundant vegetation (including orchids in spring and summer) and a plenitude of native fauna such as the satin bowerbirds which can be seen alongside the mountain streams.

The Little River Rd-Cerberus Rd bisects the park in a north-south fashion. Little River Rd heads off Cathedral Lane which is signposted off the Maroondah Highway 2 km south of Taggerty. Cerberus Rd heads off Mt Margaret Rd which departs from the Marysville-Buxton Rd. Activities in the park include camping, bushwalking, horseriding, cycling, abseiling and nature studies. Camping is permitted at Neds Gully, Sugarloaf Saddle, The Farmyard, Blackwood Flat and Cooks Mill. The latter two have areas for a small number of caravans.

There are a dozen walking tracks in the park which can be combined to form larger circuits. All are outlined in a pamphlet available from Parks Victoria, tel: 131 963. One of the major walks is between Sugarloaf Peak (910 m), Cathedral Park (870 m) and Little Cathedral with an overnight stay at The Farmyard.

Buxton Trout Farm
The Buxton Trout Farm is situated on the eastern side of the Maroondah Highway in Buxton, 11 km north of Marysville. You can catch your own rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon (rods and bait supplied) from the dams or buy fresh or smoked trout, tel: (03) 5774 7370.

Buxton Reserve
There is a 17-ha reserve of Buxton silver gums, a threatened species, 2 km south of Buxton on the western side of the Maroondah Highway. There are picnic facilities and a ten-minute walk which can be extended to the scenic Acheron River.

Buxton Zoo
Buxton Zoo is 3 km north of Buxton at 2600 Maroondah Highway. Its wildlife includes camels, deer, wallabies, emus, Egyptian geese, donkeys and cashmere goats. There is also an animal nursery, tel: (03) 5774 7345.

Taggerty Herb Farm*
Just a little further north, on the western side of the highway, is Taggerty Herb Farm which sells gourmet herbs, the 'Gingko Gold' health elixir, oils, vinegars, sauces and chutneys. There is also a gallery, a nursery, a cafe, a tranquil garden and fine views. They are open Saturday to Tuesday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5774 7518.

Narbethong
Narbethong has a similar history to Marysville. It was established in the early 1860s when an inn was built at the base of Black Spur to cater to the miners headed to the goldfields at Woods Point. Surveyed in 1865 it then became a farming, timbergetting and holidaying area.

Like Marysville it has guesthouses, holiday units, bed-and-breakfasts, a caravan park and ski hire outlets. One of the early guesthouses, the Hermitage, is still standing and is still a guesthouse. Classified by the National Trust, it once accommodated Dame Nellie Melba. Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller, who established Melbourne's Botanic Gardens, helped set up the Hermitage's gardens. Another guesthouse from the 19th century is St Fillan, originally the holiday home of a state premier.

Mantirri Blueberry Farm Winery and cafe at 1250 the Maroondah Highway (eastern side) has fresh and frozen blueberries, berry wines, homemade fruit and berry jams and ice-cream. You can pick your own from January to March. Mantirri is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5963 7174. Things of Sand & Stone is located at 1187 Maroondah Highway (tel: 03 5963 7287).

There are a number of scenic areas around town. Signs along Andersons Lane (which becomes Plantation Drive then Yellowdindi ) direct you to boardwalks over the Murrindindi River Cascades, Wilhelmina Falls and Toolangi. For further information on the town ring (03) 5963 7214.

Acheron Way
The highly scenic Acheron Way (36 km) starts from St Fillans, 3 km north-east of Narbethong along the highway. This good gravel road heads south-east along the highly scenic Reefton Spur to Warburton passing through densely forested, mountainous terrain that offers views of Mt Victoria, Ben Cairn and Mt Donna Buang.

Horseriding
Rubicon Valley Horse Riding are located further north at 90 Rubicon Rd, Thornton. tel: (03) 5773 2292. The Black Spur Trail Riding Centre is at Narbethong, tel: (03) 5963 7191.

	Tourist Information
	Marysville & Mystic Mountains Visitor Information Centre Burengeen Park, 11 Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 4567 Facsimile: (03) 5963 4444
	Motels
	Marysville Motel/Hotel 42 Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3207 Rating: **
	Tower Motel 33 Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3225 Rating: ***
	Crossways Historic Country Inn Woods Point Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3290 Facsimile: (03) 5963 4445 Rating: **
	Hotels
	Keppels Hotel 34 Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3203 Facsimile: (03) 5963 3458 Rating: ***
	Resorts
	Kooringa Resort & Conference Centre Sedgwick St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3478 Facsimile: (02) 5963 3580
	Mary Lyn Fifty & Over Holiday Resort Lyell St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3206 Facsimile: (03) 5963 3510 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Cathedral Mountain Christian Centre 975 Buxton Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3229 Rating: **
	Kerami Guesthouse Kerami Cres. Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3260 Rating: ****
	Mountain Lodge Guesthouse 32 Kings Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3270 Rating: ***
	Nanda Binya Lodge Guesthouse Woods Point Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3433 Rating: **
	Scenic B&B 16 Darwin St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3247 Email: info@scenicaccommodation.com.au Rating: ****
	Silverstream Bed & Breakfast 1 Mareeba Ave Buxton Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5774 7049
	Dalrymples Guesthouse Cottages 18 Falls Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3416 Facsimile: (03) 5963 3325 Rating: ****
	Marylands Country House 22 Falls Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3204 Facsimile: (02) 5963 3251 Rating: ****
	Apartments
	Roseleigh Holiday Apartments Cnr Racecourse Rd & Barton Ave Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3350 Rating: **
	Cottages & Cabins
	Barree Holiday Cottages 1 McLean St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3287 Rating: ***
	Rendezvous Luxury Spa Cottage 59 Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 4185 Facsimile: (03) 5963 4183 Email: info@rendezvouscottages.com.au
	Scenic B&B 16 Darwin St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3247 Email: scenic@foxall.com.au Rating: ****
	Blackwood Cottages 38 Falls Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3333 Facsimile: (03) 5963 3333 Rating: ****
	Fruit Salad Farm Aubrey-Curzens Dve Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: 1800 645 494 Facsimile: (03) 5963 3681 Rating: ***
	Lodges & Chalets
	Amber View Lodges 2 Racecourse Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 7214 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Marysville Caravan Park 1130 Buxton Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3443 Facsimile: (03) 5963 3531 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Ellies Restaurant at Crossways Historic Country Inn 4 Woodspoint Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3290
	Fragas Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3216
	Gilberts Restaurant Aubrey-Curzens Dve Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: 1800 645 494 Facsimile: (03) 5963 3681
	Laterns at Willowbank 29 Coombs St Taggerty Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5774 7503
	Michael's at Marylands Country House 22 Falls Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3204
	Mountain Lodge 32 Kings Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3270
	Ruby's at The Cumberland 34 Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3203
	Wombat Cottage Chinese Yum Cha & Steamboat Restaurant 613 Maroondah Hwy Narbethong Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 7280
	Cafés
	Cumquat Tree at Maryton Park B & B Buxton Marysville Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3757
	Mantirri Blueberry Farm 1250 Naroondah Hwy Narbethong Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 7174
	Marysville Country Bakery Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3477
	Marysville Patisserie Falls Rd Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 3368
	Terracotta Room Village Walk, Murchison St Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5963 4004
	The Old Woolshed Cafe Webbs Lane Taggerty Marysville VIC 3779 Telephone: (03) 5774 7523