The Perfect Summer Weekend Itinerary for Mansfield, Victoria
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Mansfield makes for a great holiday destination. A charming country town only 2.5 hours drive from the Melbourne CBD. It’s the kind of place that you might think of as just a pit stop, somewhere to grab a coffee and fill up the tank, before heading up to Mt Buller or out into the High Country. However, if you take a moment to look around you’ll notice the friendly locals, beautiful scenery, and inviting restaurants. It might just be enough to make you think twice about only passing through next time.
With no shortage of year-round activities (check out my top 5 spring activities) you could stay for a month and never run out of things to do. For those who can only swing a weekend though, I’ve put together the perfect summer weekend itinerary to ensure you can make the most of your time in beautiful Mansfield, Victoria.
Day one – Shopping, Hiking & wine tasting
Breakfast at The Produce Store
Start the morning with a hearty breakfast at The Produce Store. Known for being one of the best places to eat in town, you’ll find plenty of options with something to keep even the pickiest of eaters happy. While there, browse through their vast selection of locally made products. I rarely make it out the door without a jar of honey, a new chutney or a tasty cordial.
Shopping on High Street
If you’re in the mood for some more shopping, take a wander down High Street where you’ll find clothing boutiques, homewares, gift stores, and a great bookstore. Once you’re all shopped out make sure to pop into one of the local shops for some lunch supplies for a picnic lunch later.
Hike the Plain Creek Walking Track
After a relaxing morning in town jump in the car and head towards Sawmill Settlement. Here you’ll find Carters Road and the Plain Creek Walking Track – a fairly easy 7 kilometre round trip which winds its way alongside Plain Creek up to the Plain Creek Waterfall. It takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours at a moderate pace.
Park at the Carter Road picnic area and follow Carters Road by foot about 150m further up to the Plain Creek Loop Walk trail head. Don’t follow the road sign to Plain Creek Track – this is a 4WD road and while it will take you up to the waterfall, It won’t be anywhere near as pleasant.
Once on the trail you’ll walk through thick bushland with all sorts of native vegetation. The path splits in a few spots, but the signage will keep you on track. The creek runs alongside the path for much of the walk, with a few bridges crossing over the top so you’ll get plenty of glimpses of the icy clear water.
About a quarter of the way in, you’ll reach an intersection which allows you to head back to the carpark without going all the way to the falls. This quicker loop is good if you’re short on time or not feeling up to the full hike. Once you get past this point you’ll notice a rise in elevation as you leave the creek for a while and head up higher to the falls. It’s still a fairly moderate climb though with no overly steep sections. Towards the top you’ll notice some large rock formations and the trees will give way a bit before you pop out at the little waterfall. This is the perfect spot for a few photos and a water break before you head back down the track and towards a well-earned lunch.
Picnic Lunch at Mirimbah Park
Carters Road Picnic area is a nice spot for a picnic, however, if you head 5 minutes further down the road you’ll reach Mirimbah Park, situated at the base of Mt Buller, this beautifully maintained park is my top pick for a picnic spot in the area. Find a nice grassy spot by the river, throw down a picnic rug and enjoy the lunch supplies you picked up in town earlier. If picnics aren’t your thing, the Mirimbah store, right next to the park, opens in peak summer periods and offers delicious sandwiches, pies and pastries.
– Important To Note –
Mirimbah Park is within the Mt Buller Alpine Resort, which unfortunately means no dogs allowed. If you’ve got your pooch, stick with Carters Road picnic area instead.
Afternoon Wine Tasting at Delatite Winery
The perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon, stop into Delatite Winery on your way back into town. This is located a little over half way between Sawmill Settlement and Mansfield – look out for the signage and turn off down Stoneys Rd. Delatite Winery has a number of different tasting options at their cellar door ranging from $10 to $60. The base option will get you a taste of their estate grown wines, while the $20 option will see the reserve wines and schnapps included. If you’re still hungry opt for the $60 menu which comes with a mini five-course degustation with paired wines.
Regardless of your tasting choice, sit back, enjoy the wine, and take in the stunning views of Mt Buller and the surrounding hills.You’ll be in no hurry to leave.
Dinner at The Fields
Make sure you’ve left room for dinner. While Mansfield might be a small town, it certainly doesn’t have any shortage of top dining spots. My recommendation for a Saturday night feed is The Fields. Located right on the main street, the quaint little cottage, strung with fairy lights will capture your attention first. However, once the food comes out you’ll forget where you are altogether and be captivated by the Asian inspired delicacies. The menu changes seasonally so I won’t recommend any particular meals, however, their feed me options always showcase the best bits of the menu and make for a good choice. There is a small and large version to choose from depending on your hunger levels. Check out the cocktail menu as well for some fun combinations, as well as the classics.
Day two – Cycling, swimming & Pub Fare
Breakfast at Steam Cafe
Today’s going to be a big one – Stop by Steam Cafe in the morning for a quick but filling grab-and-go breakfast – I recommend the Bacon & Eggs roll, however there are plenty of other takeaway options for those after something savoury or sweet. The Coffee is freshly roasted by the owner and some of the best in town, if you’re not a coffee drinker, the hot chocolates are great too.
Biking: Rail Trail or Bike Buller
While Mansfield may be known for Skiing and Snowboarding, when winter ends and they get packed away, the bikes come out. So today it’s time to go riding. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can head up to Mt Buller for some downhill and cross country mountain biking or for those after a slower pace, the Rail Trail has you covered.
I’d recommend getting started early today as cycling can be hard work in the hot summer sun. All Terrain Cycles have rental bikes for all riding types, basic adult rail trail bikes start at around $50 or you can opt for a dual suspension mountain bike for around $110. There are also electric options if you’d like a bit of extra help on some of the hills.
Once you’ve picked your adventure and got your bike sorted It’s time to get moving.For those headed to the rail trail, head back down the main street to the Visitor Information centre, this is where the trail starts. Once on, follow the gently undulating trail for as long as you’d like. If you’re feeling up to it, Bonnie Doon is a 22 kilometre (one-way) cycle, stop off at the Bonnie Doon Hotel once you’re there for a cold drink to cool off, or a quick lunch. Just remember however far you go, you’ve still got to get back. Check out this handy pocket guide for everything you need to know about the Great Victorian Rail Trail.
For those up for a mountain bike, head back to Mirimbah Park or up to Mt Buller. For collection from the park, you can jump on a shuttle bus or drive up to the resort and use the Northside Express chair to access the runs. With a few new trails going in this summer, it’s the perfect time to Bike Buller. If you don’t want to transport a bike up the mountain, there is a bike shop at Spurs Restaurant, also run by All Terrain Cycles, where you can hire an adult bike, these are typically between $60 to $140. If you’re looking for lunch on the hill, check out Woody’s Cafe at Arlberg House, open year round with a good selection of sandwiches and freshly baked goodies.
Cool Off with a Swim in the Delatite
After a big morning of riding, a refreshing cold dip is the perfect way to cool down. Stop off at the Mt Buller Road & Howqua Track intersection, walk around 120m back towards Mansfield and you’ll see a walking track which leads down to a stunning section of the Delatite with a nice deep swimming hole. This place gives off serious northern territory vibes, with a dramatic rock wall backdrop that feels more like outback Australia than alpine country and gentle rapids flowing down towards the pool. Jump in and cool off, make sure you bring a towel to dry off with though, as the water can be quite cold even in the peak of summer.
Dinner at the Mansfield Hotel
What better way to finish off your big weekend away then a hearty pub meal, and there is no shortage of those in Mansfield. With the Mansfield Hotel, Delatite Hotel and Commercial Hotel to choose from. My favourite is the Mansfield Hotel. Located on the main roundabout, opposite the Delatite. In good weather the beer garden out the back is a beautiful spot to enjoy the evening. The Mansfield has all of your regular pub favourites as well as a few more exotic options like Poke bowls and pork belly. There is a real focus on using seasonal and local products here, so the specials menu is definitely worth checking out.
Essential Travel Information
How to get to Mansfield:
Mansfield is approximately 2.5 hours north east of the Melbourne CBD, the perfect distance for a weekend getaway. The easiest way to visit is by car, however there are Vline buses that run from the city to Mansfield. Given the remote nature of the area and lack of public transport it’s highly recommended to have a car. You can hire a car in Melbourne from all the usual hire shops, alternatively Mansfield Tyre service has a couple of rental cars, give them a call on (03) 5775 1122 to find out more. Benalla (approximately 45 minutes away) also has a Thrifty and a Hertz rental shop.
Where to Stay in Mansfield
There are plenty of accommodation options in and around Mansfield, ranging from hotels, hostels, Air BnB’s, caravan parks and even glamping. The Alzburg Resort is my pick for an affordable but nice mid range hotel, it’s somewhere I’ve personally stayed and make for a perfect base for a weekend away. A night here in a spa hotel room or studio will set you back anywhere from $150 – $300 depending on the day. The resort offers plenty of amenities too, with a pool, spa, sauna, tennis court, and BBQ facilities. So if you find yourself with a bit of free time, make the most of it by enjoying a relaxing soak in the spa or a quick hit of tennis.
Why Mansfield is so much more than a Pit Stop
So whether you’ve come for adventure, food, or relaxation, Mansfield is a destination that deserves more than just a quick pit stop. Save this Itinerary & pack your bags – your Mansfield summer weekend away awaits.
