 Program
Thursday 17 April, 2008
Midday: Registration Office open at Mt Hotham Resort Management. Receive your Welcome Pack.
2-4pm : Planning Beyond Hotham for 2009. Interested in making this weekend bigger and better? Come along to RMB Office and share your thoughts. All welcome. Discussion chaired by Hotham RMB CEO, Jim Atteridge.
Afternoon: Check in to accommodation and familiarization tour (self guided drive/walk) for the afternoon. Notes/brochures/maps will be included in your Welcome Pack.
Optional walks:
- To the top of Mount Hotham (1860m) for the grandest of all alpine vistas.
- Drive towards Dinner Plain, and 0.8 km past Whiskey Flat is a sheltered car park on the NE side of the road. Walk along the well defined old vehicle track for 1km to the Brandy Creek mine site, abandoned over 100 years ago. The water from Swindlers Creek was used by the gold miners in a hydraulic sluicing machine. A swamp helps define the area. Take care with your footsteps. (Allow one hour round trip)
6pm- 8pm: Beyond Hotham Official Opening and Wine Tastings and Sales.
Welcome drinks and nibbles at Asgaard Lodge. Wine tastings from Alpine Valley Vignerons.
- Welcome to Country (Colleen Nagle Parks Vic)
- Opening Address and Blessing of the 4wd Fleet.( CEO , MHRMB)
- Minimal impact 4 wheel driving, (Ross Grant, Parks Vic.)
- Chance to meet the tour leaders and guest presenters.
- Showing of Silver Brumby Video for Under 18's
Friday 18 April, 2008
8am: Big Breakfast. Come along and join us for a hot cooked brekky at SCEG Lodge.
Registration Office Open from 8.30am
9 – 12pm : Info rmation Session for Alpine Senior Rangers Program . (upstairs at The General)
Intro/Orientation to 4wd in the Alpine National Park
Presenters will include facilitators from Parks Victoria (Ross Grant), Victoria Police (Doug Incoll), Biosis Research P/L (Aaron Harvey) and Geoff Bolton on HF radio communication.
12 – 4pm : 4wd session for Alpine Senior Rangers Program . Meet at Carpark to follow Parks Vic into McNamaras Hut and out to Callaghans Road . (Jointly led by Omeo and Bogong area Parks Vic staff) Pre register only, Ma x 8 vehicles. Take own picnic lunch.
1pm : Caring for our Flora and Fauna Beyond Hotham . Guided walk/drive with Aaron Harvey from Biosis Research P/L. Biosis Research P/L are natural and cultural heritage consultants and provide information and guidelines to MHRMB for the protection our local flora and fauna. If you enjoyed Aaron's presentation this morning you will love learning more about the sensitive habitats of the Alpine Tree Frog, She-oak Skink and the endangered Mountain Pygmy Possum. Aaron will demonstrate to you how Mt Hotham RMB as responsible land managers protect this unique alpine environment not only for the animals but forever.
Just Beyond - A full day trip around the Great Alpine Loop . Self guided tour heading from here to JB Plain Hut (Parks Vic), Dinner Plain, Victoria Falls, Oriental Claims, Omeo, Anglers Rest (Whip maker), Shannonvale (Packers Horse rides), Wallaces Hut (Parks Vic), Falls Creek (Angling Expeditions), Bogong Village (Power Station Development), Mount Beauty, Tawonga Gap, Harrietville ( Portable gold stamping battery at Pioneer Park), (option of driving up the Old Coach Road), Blowhard Hut (Fiona Magnusson- Alpine High Country Hut Historian) and back to Hotham with the opportunity for off road side trips and suggestions for picnics etc. along the way.
Beyond Mt Murray -A full day guided trip with Shaun Maiden at NE Off Road Tours , This tour will be for vehicles that have low range and high clearance. Shaun will demonstrate the use of a variety of radios and radio etiquette on this tour. BYO lunch. This tour will only be offered on Friday and is suitable for vehicles with high clearance and lo-range. Bookings must be made with the operator. Shaun Maiden 03 57 56 2242 . Tagalong $120/vehicle, passenger in with Shaun's vehicle, $165pp.
12.30pm: Mystery Tagalong with Graeme Price .
Afternoon trip with Graeme from Wodonga Exhaust Centre (max 8 vehicles) Mystery Destination. But may well finish up at Precipice Plain in time for Circle your Wagons Campfire. Cost to include donation to Royal Children's Hospital.
Your choice from a selection of self guided 4wd trips, all details in your Welcome Pack but please, as a matter of courtesy let the Registration Office 03 5759 3550, know which trip you have chosen and when you plan to leave and return.
Half day options:
*Hut History and Horse riding with Packers High Country Horse riding. (I hour to half day rides) Please book directly with Helen Packer 03 5159 7241
*Special Day Spa Sampler Packages for Beyond Hotham participants at Dinner Plain Onsen Spa Retreat for $105pp. Please book directly with Onsen Retreat and Spa 03 5750 8880
3-6 pm: Circle the Wagons Campfire and sing-a-long with Parks Victoria Aboriginal Liaison Officer Colleen Nagle telling us of indigenous stories about the stars and Danni Price with her guitar. Hopefully it will be a clear sky and we'll be able to see the Emu in the Sky constellation.
7.30pm: Golden Opportunity Film Evening and Golden Wine Tasting and Sales
Upstairs at The General. The General will put on a Gold themed menu for dinner.
- “Dancing and the Devil Fire”, a Parks Vic film about the new relationships between the traditional custodians of country and the land managers.
- 2 of Andrew Swift s' and Sean Kings' quirky and informative gold mining history films (“Beneath the Razorback” 46 mins and “Journey into the Black Hole” 20 mins) shot on location in the Victorian Alps. Each film is an entertaining, informative, slightly humorous and a visual and experiential sensation looking at a remarkable era of our nation's history.
- Wines and Wine tasting from Ma yford and Ringer Reef, both established on land that was originally a gold mine in the Ovens Valley.
Saturday 19 April, 2008
8am: Big Breakfast. Come along and join us for a hot cooked brekky at SCEG Lodge.
Registration Office Open from 8.30am
Talbotville Tagalong with Graham Harris from Bairnsdale 4x4 Club.
165km round trip classed medium-hard in dry conditions. (Max 8 vehicles) Nominal charge. You will not be disappointed with this very entertaining and experienced trip leader. (Vehicles need experienced driver, recovery kit, all terrain/mud tyres in good condition, snorkel and low range) BYO lunch, snacks and drinks and camera as this trip will offer you some amazing views. 8.45 am briefing in the Carpark for a 9am departure.
Just Beyond - A full day trip around the Great Alpine Loop .
Self guided tour heading from here to JB Plain Hut (Parks Vic), Dinner Plain, Victoria Falls, Oriental Claims, Omeo, Anglers Rest (Whip maker), Shannonvale (Packers Horse rides), Wallace's Hut (Parks Vic), Falls Creek (Angling Expeditions), Bogong Village (Power Station Development), Mount Beauty, Tawonga Gap, Harrietville (option of lead tour up Old Coach Road) and/or Portable gold stamping battery at Pioneer Park), Blowhard Hut (Fiona Ma gnusson- Alpine High Country Hut Historian) and back to Hotham with the opportunity for off road side trips and suggestions for picnics etc. along the way.
Beyond Mayford -A full day guided trip with Daniel from 5 Star Adventure Tours showcasing Mayford Wines . This totally unique trip to Mayford via Kings Spur Track will provide a fully catered gourmet lunch matched with Mayford Wines . This tour will only be offered on the Saturday and pre booking conditions apply. Numbers limited and bookings must be made with the operator. 5 Star Adventure Tours 03 5755 5100 $100 per vehicle in own vehicle as a ‘tagalong' (includes catering for the driver, catering for passengers $30-pp) and $125pp as a passenger in a 5Star off road vehicle.
11am: Payne's Picnic at Picnic Point between Hotham and Dinner Plain. Enjoy a generous, gourmet picnic with glass in hand and views over the Dargo Range . Pre booking conditions apply. $30pp. Contact the Payne's. 03 5159 7255
2pm : Official Opening and Plaque unveiling of the Silver Brumby Hut followed by campfire cooking demonstration Come along and reminisce about the 1993 making of the Silver Brumby feature film. You may even meet some of the on and off screen characters.
Your choice from a selection of self guided 4wd trips, all details in your Welcome Pack but please, as a matter of courtesy let the Registration Office 03 5759 3550 know which trip you have chosen and when you plan to leave and return.
Half day options:
- Hut History and Horse riding with Packers High Country Horse Riding. (I hour to half day rides) Please book directly with Helen Packer 03 5159 7241
- Special Day Spa Sampler Packages for Beyond Hotham participants at Dinner Plain Onsen Spa Retreat for $105pp. Onsen Retreat and Spa 03 5750 8880
- Ranger Roo sessions for school aged children on the alpine environment, flora and fauna.
5.30pm: Guided walk under a full moon to the Tunnel of Love with Ranger Roo for the under 18's, please bring your own torch.
7pm: Beyond Hotham Spit Roast Dinner at Eumarellah Lodge.
Catering by Tawonga South Butchery with Kiewa Valley wines available for tastings and sales. It will almost be a full moon, so we could be blessed with a beautiful evening.
8pm Tall Tales and True? An ev ening of bush poetry and yarn spinning from some of the regions best. $5 Entry, includes ticket in draw for $1200 Cooper Tire Voucher. Master of Ceremonies: Geoff Jackson, an original Bastard from the Bush. Come along and share your poetry or read your favourite Banjo Paterson Poem. Why not bring a musical instrument and really become part of the fun! Be entertained by an original local country girl and great entertainer Kelly Hope, you will not be disappointed. Prizes offered, presentations will be made at Beyond's Gourmet Brunch on Sunday.
 Sunday 20 April, 2008
Registration Open from 8:30am
Choose from guided and self guided half day trips.
9 -11.30am: Beyond Downhill for the experienced 4wd driver.
Let Daniel from 5 Star Adventure Tours take you down the ‘hill' at the back of HorseHair Hut to the Cobungra River . $75 per vehicle or $75 per passenger in with Daniel in his vehicle. Numbers limited and bookings must be made with operator. Ph 03 5755 5100
11 – 1pm: Beyond Hotham Gourmet Brunch and Finale at JB Plain Hut with smoked meats and sausages. Closing comments and presentation of Alpine Senior Ranger Certificates.
Drawing of Winch Recovery Pack (donated by Wodonga Exhaust Centre and Albury TJM) for one lucky participant.
Drawing of Saturday night lucky door prize for Cooper Tire Voucher ($1200)
*Special Day Spa Sampler Packages for Beyond Hotham participants at Dinner Plain Onsen Spa Retreat for $105pp. Onsen Retreat and Spa 03 5750 8880 1-3pm: Beyond Hotham Evaluation and Planning for 2009 . Come along to the RMB Office and let us know what worked and what you'd like to see in the 2009 program. All welcome.
*Plenty of time to get to Harrietville for the beginning of the Drive4Life trip www.Drive4Life.com.au or move on to Bright to enjoy their autumn colour. The Bright Autumn Festival begins on 26 April, 2008. www.brightautumnfestival.org.au
Register for this Unique Experience
- Download your registration form here
- $25/person and $15/Under 18.
- Closing date for registrations Monday 7 April, 2008.
- All registrations received by this date will automatically go into the draw for a $300 Winch Recovery Pack kindly donated by Wodonga Exhaust Centre and Albury T.J.M.
- Please submit your favourite campfire cooking recipe/s with your registration and we will produce the Beyond Hotham 2008 Recipe Book that will be included on your Welcome Pack.
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