Licola
Small and attractive village beside the Macallister River
Licola is a charming little village beside the Macallister River, 254 km east of Melbourne. It is owned entirely by the Lions Club of Victoria, making it the only privately-owned town in Victoria and the only one not on mains power. The Lions Club have developed the Lions Wilderness Village, which provides accommodation and constructive activities for young people (especially school groups), special needs groups and disadvantaged children.

Licola is commonly used as the starting point for an exploration of the surrounding area by those keen on bushwalking in high plains country at the edge of the Snowy Mountains. It has a general store, a camping ground and a swimming hole. The general store substitutes for a local tourist information office and provides visitors with good information about tracks through the surrounding parks.

Things to see:  

Licola Wilderness Village
The original aim of the village was to 'provide programs for disadvantaged children and special needs groups.' Added to this is an expanded brief to 'provide outcomes based programs for schools, clubs and other organisations.' The objective is to 'foster respect for self, community and the environment, through personal development, wilderness adventure and environmental education.'

A statement of intent further underlines their credo: 'Providing individuals with the choice to be challenged and a supportive environment in which to make that choice, gives them ownership of that choice and he outcomes/consequences it produces.'

The village is a 250-bed campsite with a multitude of activities available. Accommodation is in 16 3-4 bedroom cottages for small self-catered groups, catered groups and activity programs. Located on Jamieson Rd, they can be contacted by phone at (03) 5148 8791 or via email: manager@licola.org.au

The Avon Wilderness
To the east of the town lies the Avon Wilderness. There is a 45-km walking track (it is not clearly marked and therefore is only suitable for experienced bushwalkers) which meanders along Purgatory Spur and passes Mount Hump, The Sentinel, and Millers Hut. The latter is one of the many cattlemen's huts in the region. They stand as reminders that cattle have been grazing on the plains for well over a century.

Lake Tarli Karng
Lake Tarli Karng is located 23 km north of Licola and is 18 km from the nearest road. This pleasant lake, 850 m above sea level, can be more conventionally reached by following the Bennison Plains Road and then taking the walking track, which pursues the course of the Wellington River to the Lake. As the trail crosses the river on a number of occasions it can be cold and dangerous in winter. Tarli Karng has precipitous banks and, from some angles, is obscured by the debris of an old landslide. It is thought that even the Aborigines were unaware of its existence consequently it has earned the title, "The Hidden Lake".

Other Walks
The Bennison Plains Road is in fact the access point to most of the region's tracks and sights. 10 km from Licola is the turn-off to the Macalister State Forest, where camping is encouraged. 18 km further is a signpost which will take you along a 1-km path to the summit of the waterfall at Dinner Creek Gorge.

Higgins Hut and Chester Hut
A little further north are the 400 square kilometres of the Bennison Plains. At the Tamboritha Saddle, cattle are put out to pasture in the early summer. From this point an 8-km loop will take you through the alpine plains, past Higgins Hut and Chester Hut, and back to the ridge.

At the point where the Bennison Plains Road meets the Moroka and Howitt Roads, you can follow either of these into the escalating altitudes of the Wonnangatta-Moroka National Park. Maps of the park are available from the Licola General store.

Howitt Plains
Finally, 80 km north-east of Licola are the Howitt Plains at 1580 metres above sea level. Two trails lead off from the car park: a 5-km track to the pleasing Macalister Springs and a 7-km trail to Mt Howitt (1742 m). Safaris of the Plains are available from Walhalla Saddle Safaris (03 5165 3365) and Blinky Bill Tours (03-9707 2073).

Alpine Walking Track
Bushwalkers wanting to walk in the Alpine National Park can access it from Licola by driving north on the Bennison Plains Road and taking the Howitt Road into the park. It is necessary to get specific and detailed maps as all the walks take a number of hours (in some cases, a number of days) and the tracks can be poorly defined. There is a 13 km walk to Mount Reynard and Kelly's Hut. There are a number of walks from Guys Hut (which is on Howitt Road) including one to the ruins of Wonnangatta Station (32 km each way) and Bryce Gorge and Pieman's Falls (8 km). These walks should only be attempted by experienced bushwalkers in summertime. In winter the weather in the Snowy Mountains can change very rapidly. For more information contact National Resources and Environment Office on (03) 5172 2111.

	Cottages & Cabins
	Licola Wilderness Village Jamieson Rd Licola VIC 3858 Telephone: (03) 5148 8791 Facsimile: (03) 5148 8790 Email: manager@licola.org.au
	Caravan Parks
	Licola Caravan Park Jamieson Rd Licola VIC 3858 Telephone: (03) 5148 8786 Rating: **