With its stunning location and fascinating history, the town of Mansfield – nestled in the foothills of Victorian Alps – is a popular destination for grey nomads and a great base from which to explore the region.
Located about 180 kilometres north-east of Melbourne and with a population of just over 5,000, the one-time gold mining service centre boasts wide, tree-lined boulevards and a number of notable historic buildings.
This, of course, is Ned Kelly country and there is a prominent marble monument in town honouring the three police officers – Constables Lonigan, Kennedy and Scanlon – who were killed in a shootout with the Kelly gang at nearby Stringybark Creek back in 1878.
Mansfield boasts lovely tree-lined streets PIC: Visit Victoria
While it was sheep grazing that brought the original settlers to the area, it wasn’t until gold was discovered nearby that the settlement really took off.
A Post Office opened here in 1858 and, over the next couples of decades, three churches, a library, multiple general stores, a shire hall, library, hospital, and a courthouse were built. The railway arrived here in 1891 and the last passenger service came through in 1977.
Today the old station precinct is home to an excellent Visitor Information Centre. Particularly, interesting is the collection of interpretive poles, each of which examines a different aspect of what makes Mansfield what it is today.
Swiftcrest Distillery siuts in stunning countryside just outde of Mansfield. PIC: Visit Victoria
Nearby is the local Historical Society museum which boasts an excellent collection of artefacts and memorabilia.
Another top attraction here is the impressive Mansfield Zoo. Set on 30 acres just to the south of town, it boasts more than 200 native and exotic animals. Adventurous grey nomads may even be tempted to bring their tents or swags and stay overnight, falling asleep to the sounds of lions roaring.
Also well worth a look is the massive hedge maze, labyrinth, and walled gardens at the Country Gardens, Gallery & Maze.
Mansfield is a service town for the nearby resorts of Mount Buller and Mount Stirling, and so boasts a great variety of shops, cafes, and pubs.
There are several good caravan parks in and around town and – being surrounded by state parks, national parks, reserves, and rivers – there are other great camping options within striking distance.
As previously mentioned, the country here is stunning and there are innumerable opportunities to bushwalk, fish, cycle, kayak … and just sit back and admire the scenery and wildlife.
Mansfield is at one end of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, and Lake Eildon and Lake Nillahcootie are both nearby.
For grey nomads seeking an overview, a trip out to Paps Lookout, about 10 kilometres west of town, is recommended. A walk to the top will be rewarded with views of the High Country hills and Lake Eildon.
And if all that is not enough, the Mansfield area is also home to some excellent vineyards, and even a distillery.
What’s not to like?
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