94 - AMB
Ratings
TechnicalFiTnesscross counTryTrailall-MTnDownhillJuMpFaCiLitiEs
ToileTs - Yes at Mt Buller, Telephone
Box Junction and Mirimbah
Drinking WATer - Yes, at Mt Buller,
Telephone Box Junction and in Mirimbah.
But take enough to be self sufficient.
PArking -Plenty at Mt Buller and in
Mirimbah
TrAils signPosTeD - Yes, follow the
signs from Mt Buller village.
MoBile recePTion - Telstra – Yes,
optus – yes. But not for the whole ride.
shelTer - Yes, at Mt Buller, Telephone
Box Junction and in Mirimbah
BBQ FAciliTies - Yes, at Mt Buller and
in Mirimbah
AccoMMoDATion - lots of options in Mt
Buller and down in the valleytRaiL EssEntiaLs
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gEtting tHERE
Mt Buller is about a 3-hour drive from Melbourne,
or about 7 hours from sydney – depending where
you are coming from. The closest airport is Albury.
Turn off the hume highway and head towards
Mansfield, and then just follow the road along the
valley and up the mountain.
There is a coach from Mansfield, and a bus from
southern cross station in Melbourne. go to mmbl.
com.au or vline.com.au/mtbuller for timetables.
tECHniCaL natURE
The epic trail itself has enough technical elements
going up, down, and across, to keep even the
most experienced rider on their toes. it is a ‘cross
country’ trail though, and every element of the trail
can be rolled over. But there are more technical
lines available – and if you can spot them, you
might choose to take them too.
YOU’LL nEED
There’s a good chance this will be a day long ride,
so pack all the spares you need for broken rear
derailleur hangers and flat tyres, plus a first aid
kit, water, food, suncream, a jacket, and take your
phone, cash and iD. You will be able to follow the
route with the signs, but there are plenty of trail
maps available in the village, so pop one in your
bag before you head out.
There is a shuttle service for the return climb from
Mirimbah back to Mt Buller, and it runs from early
november to late April, at select times on saturday
and sunday. if this doesn’t match your planned
riding, you could always work out a car shuffle with
mates – or just ride back up for the “Full epic”. it’s
a 16km climb, and is a great way to earn a feed at
the corner store.
Make sure you book your shuttles: enquiries@
mirimbah.com.au
DistanCE
The epic trail is 40km long one way. There are over
100km of trails in the Mt Buller and Mt stirling
area, plus plenty more firetrail and backcountry
dirt roads you could ride.LOCaL KnOWLEDgE
Any local will tell you that a kilometre of riding at
Mt Buller isn’t like a kilometre in other places.
And while you might scoff, it’s true. The riding is
challenging, the trails are twisty, and there’s very
little free rolling, save for the Delatite river Trail.
This is all very good news for experienced riders,
but it is also a word of caution -don’t wear yourself
out on your first day if you’re there for a while.BEst tiME OF YEaR
The trails are open from late spring until the end
of Autumn – although it’s worth checking bike.
mtbuller.com.au in case certain trails are closed
for maintenance. Mt Buller is a long way above the
plains, and it is a great place to escape oppressive
heat in the height of summer. You can count on it
being up to 15 degrees cooler in the village than
down in Mansfield.WHERE tO staY
There is lots of bike friendly accommodation in
Mt Buller, almost all managed by Andy’s Fat Tyre
Bike lodge. A selection of ski lodges are opened
and managed under this business name. You can
expect comfortable facilities, bike storage, some
magazines to read, trail maps, basic spares, and a
friendly host. Prices start at $50pppn for adults.http://www.andysfattyrebikelodge.com.auWHiLE in tHE aREa
Mt Buller has lift-assisted downhill trails, and you
can hire downhill bikes and full face helmets in
the village. check bike.mtbuller.com.au for more
details on the trails, when they are open, and lift
and shuttle times.LOCaL BiKE sHOPs
The corner store is open on Fridays and on the
weekend in summer, but daily from Boxing Day.
They have bike hire, servicing, spares – and
probably the best coffee in the greater area. Be
sure to check out their selection of food for lunch
or just a snack.All Terrain cycles is on the Main street in
Mansfield, but they also have a shop right in the
Village square at Mt Buller through summer.REgULaR EVEnts
Bike Buller runs in early March each year,
combining a whole variety of mountain bike events
with a food and wine festival. it runs over the
March long weekend 7-9th.More details on: bike.mtbuller.com.au/festival.phpThere are usually gravity races running, and on
April 25-26 the elevattion gravity enduro Mountain
Bike series will visit Mt Buller.Always check the Bike Buller website for what
other events (cycling or otherwise) will be on.