The Victorian Alps near Mount Hotham

Harrietville
Small town with access to the Mt Hotham ski fields and a number of excellent bushwalking tracks
Located 332 km north-east of Melbourne, Harrietville is a former goldmining town, which was reputedly named Harriet's Vale after the first white baby to visit the area. Settled in 1852 by goldminers it became a resting place for those en route to the Omeo, Dargo and Glen Wills goldfields. Reef mining commenced in the area in 1861 as alluvial gold became scarce. At one point 348 reefs were officially registered.

Dredging began in the 1890s as the reefs became uneconomical. So many were in use that a foundry was set up to supply the machinery in Wangaratta. Dredge buckets filled with flowers can still be seen in the area. The most famous was the enormous Tronoh dredge, owned by Tronoh mines of London and transported to Australia in sections. Dredging to a depth of 40 metres and employing sixty men it operated between 1941 and 1947. It was shipped to Malaya in 1956, when all dredging stopped. Small miners' cottages remain and are still occupied today.

Things to see:  

Attractions in the area
Gold-washing pans together with advice on technique and suitable locations for some alluvial panning are available for those seeking to recapture something of the town's past first-hand. A display board in a park by the river has items which deal with local history. The old Freeburgh Community Hall is one of the few extant buildings from the ex-goldmining towns of Freeburgh, Germantown and Smoko which were obliterated by the dredges. Stony Creek Trout Farm is 4 km to the north. On the farm are an old goldminer's cabin from Wandiligong, a blacksmith's shop and some early mining and agricultural equipment.

Bon Accord Spur and Bungalow Spur Tracks
The Bon Accord Spur track to Mount Hotham begins at Harrietville. There is also the Bungalow Spur Track to Mt Feathertop - at 1922 m the second-highest peak in the state. Walkers keen on doing the walk should obtain the Alpine National Park - Bogong Area (Mount Feathertop) pamphlet. It is available from the Bright CNR Office - tel: (03) 5755 1577.

	Motels
	Harrietville Hotel/Motel Great Alpine Rd Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2525 Facsimile: (03) 5759 2766 Email: info@harrietvillehotelmotel.com.au Rating: ***
	Snowline Motel/Hotel Main Rd Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2524
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Feathertop Chalet Guesthouse Bon Accord Track off Ovens Hwy Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2688
	Lavender Hue 20 Great Alpine Rd Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2588 Facsimile: (03) 5759 2606 Rating: ****1/2
	Shady Brook Cottages 2 Mountain Brook Walk Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2741 Facsimile: (03) 5759 2757 Rating: ****
	Apartments
	Cas-Bak Holiday Apartments Ovens Hwy Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2531 or (03) 5759 2568 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Autumn Leaf Cottages The Great Alpine Rd Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2643 Facsimile: (03) 5759 2630 Rating: ****
	Bon Accord Hideaway 19 Bon Accord Track Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: 0438 050 475 Rating: ***1/2
	Pick & Shovel Cottage 1 Pick & Shovel Rise Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2627 Facsimile: (03) 5759 2627 Rating: ****1/2
	Shady Brook Cottages 2 Mountain Brook Walk Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2741 Facsimile: (03) 5759 2757 Rating: ****
	Caravan Parks
	Harrietville Caravan & Camping Park Main Rd Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2523 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Feathertop Chalet Guesthouse Bon Accord Track off Ovens Hwy Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2688
	Harrietville Hotel/Motel Great Alpine Rd Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2525 Facsimile: (03) 5759 2766 Email: info@harrietvillehotelmotel.com.au
	Snowline Motel/Hotel Main Rd Harrietville VIC 3741 Telephone: (03) 5759 2524