| Mount Stirling | |
|---|---|
 The Bluff Spur Hut at Mount Stirling | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,747 m (5,732 ft)[1]AHD |
| Coordinates | 37°07′S146°31′E / 37.117°S 146.517°E /-37.117; 146.517 |
| Geography | |
  Mount Stirling Location nearShire of Mansfield | |
| Location | Victoria,Australia |
| Parent range | Great Dividing Range |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Unknown |
| Easiest route | Hike/ski/4WD |
Mount Stirling is amountain in theVictorian Alps of theGreat Dividing Range, located in theHume region ofVictoria,Australia. The mountain has an elevation of 1,747–1,749 metres (5,732–5,738 ft)above sea level.[1][2]
Mount Stirling is entirely located within theMount Stirling Alpine Resort, across-country andbackcountryski resort located on the slopes of the mountain and situated approximately 230 kilometres (140 mi) fromMelbourne. The Mount Stirling ski resort is a popular location for beginner backcountry skiers andsnowboarders due to its distance from Melbourne and proximity to theMount Buller Alpine Resort. As at the2011 census, the area had a population of 36.[3]
The Mount Stirling Alpine Resort is contained within an 2,820-hectare (7,000-acre)unincorporated area under the direct administration of the government of Victoria, and is surrounded by theShire of Mansfield.
Mount Stirling was named in honour of James Stirling, asurveyor and later, the Victorian Government Geologist.[4]
The mountain and ski resort are located at the head of theDelatite River, which flows westwards. It is surrounded by the Stirling Circuit Road, which provides access to mountains further into the Victorian Alps. In winter the road is closed at Telephone Box Junction, from which it is generally possible to ski to reach the summit (depending on conditions it is sometimes necessary to walk the lower section).
The mountain has fantastic views across to nearbyMount Buller as well as the high range that runs fromMount Cobbler through Mount Speculation and the Cross cut Saw andMount Howitt. From there the range swings westwards, finishing in The Bluff, an impressive tilted plateau that has large clifflines on its northern side.
The lower reaches of the mountain are dominated by Alpine Ash forests, which merge into Snowgum Woodlands above approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft). There is a small part of the summit area which sits above treeline.
There are a number of huts in the area of Mount Stirling providing emergency refuge to visitors:
In winter the area is a patrolledcross country andback country ski resort. Maps of ski trails are available at the entry gate.
In summer the area is popular withfour wheel drivers and bush walkers. The trail from the Circuit Road to the summit takes less than two hours to walk and is popular for day and over night trips. Also, when it is not snowing or in danger of bushfires, the area is used by numerous educational groups.
Media related toMount Stirling at Wikimedia Commons
