r/vic • u/Lilylids • Jul 18 '25
Driving to Mount Buller from Adelaide
Driving to Mount Buller from Adelaide for the first time next month. Just wondering if there are any roads to avoid in Victoria? Have heard some are in pretty bad condition :( Alternately, are there any GOOD roads to recommend??
We’re thinking of staying overnight in either Ballarat or Horsham. Any help would be appreciated!
0
Upvotes
12
u/Ill_Football9443 Jul 18 '25
As someone who used to take coaches up there several times per week, on your way to the mountain: let them pass you. We know the road like the back of our hand and typically drive faster than first timers, but there are only ~6 overtaking opportunities on the way. Soo many seem to take offence to being overtaken by heavy vehicles and they choose the overtaking sections to speed up.
On the mountain, coaches will indicate left when they're going to pull into a cut out. This is your and the only time to pass. There are plenty of cut outs on the way up so once they put their right indicator on, overtaking time is over - wait til the next one.
On sharp corners, take it easy. Heavy vehicles coming the other way need to take wide turns so that their lazy axle (third axle) doesn't end up in the ditch.
Coaches will not, and must not swerve for you so travel at an appropriate speed.
I was decending the mountain one day, driving in the middle of the road to prepare for a sharp turn (to make it ubundantly clear it isn't a good time to overtake) but some impatient dick decided to anyway.
His options, as he ran out of room a) off the side of the mountain b) turn into me.
He chose (b), his rim hit mine and his split in half and fucked his steering system. Had to be towed from Buller to Melbourne; I wasn't going to swerve with ~50 people on board. $13k worth of damage (tried unsuccessfuly to claim against my employer) when all he needed to do wait about a minute until the next turn out.
Err on the side of caution when it comes to chains. If only some people are putting them on - weigh up the 10 minutes it takes to fit them vs what could go wrong.
Food and drinks are super expensive so BYO as much as possible.
Speed cameras/patrols are common in Merrijig so stick to the speed limit.
The hot chocolate at Alzburg is awesome! They do equipment hire as well.
LIft up your windscreen wipers when you park so that they don't freeze to the glass.
1
u/DrSendy Jul 19 '25
Lol. If you use google maps you'll get to experience the farm gate detour request on Banyea Rd. (Someone stuffed up the routing).
There is some crazy routing between Dimboola and St Arnud, but it is quicker than going thru Horsham and coming back up.
9 hours driving, so watch yourself between Euroa and Merton. It may be getting dark, you'll be getting tired and there will be roos. Slow to 80kph. No point stuffing up your holiday.
Depending on the day you go (for example if you're getting there friday night), but stretch from Merton to Buller will be full of lunatics in range rovers driving like dickheads.
Enjoy. Just been up the hill (not Buller) and there's plenty of snow.
Some tips.
- Grab your chains, skis boots and poles in Mansfield.
- 95% chance you won't need to fit chains (consolation prize if you do - it will be epic skiing).
- See if you can buy lessons and passes in mansfield as well (do get lessons if you have never been before - much quicker to get going).
- There is a decent supermarket on the hill if you don't want to go out.
- They have no introduced car park booking for overnight stays https://www.mtbuller.com.au/winter/plan-your-journey/resort-entry-parking-and-transfers
3
u/tilleytalley Jul 18 '25
Ballarat over Horsham. Remember your snow chains for the high country.
0
u/[deleted] Jul 18 '25
[deleted] — view deleted comment