Located approximately 80km from Melbourne, Mount Donna Buang in
Victoria, Australia, at 1,250 metres (4,101 ft) is the closest
snowfield to Melbourne.
In winter, it usually receives snow suitable for snow play and
tobogganing, and during the non winter months the area is well
visited by bushwalkers. The summit of Mt Donna Buang is surrounded
by Alpine ash trees and Sub alpine snow gums, and at nearby Cement
Creek there is a raised walkway through Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus
cunninghamii) and Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) trees known as
the Mount Donna Buang Skywalk.
Mount Donna Buang is part of the Yarra Ranges National Park
(formed in 1995) in which there are a number of species that have
become rare or threatened, including the Slender Tree Fern, and the
Geebung Tree. It contains a number of native mammals including the
endangered Leadbeater's Possum, and is home to 120 different
species of native birds. Some examples include the Pink Robin,
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo and the Crimson Rosella.
The nearest serviced town to the mountain is Warburton.
Flora and
fauna
The rare and possibly endangered Mt Donna Buang Wingless
Stonefly (Riekoperla darlingtoni) is endemic to the area.
History
In the 1860’s, “Mt Acland” was the name given
to the 1,250 meter high mountain by a Police Magistrate called
Joseph Panton. The name it has today, “Mt Donna Buang”,
came from the Wurundjeri Aboriginals.
A walking track to the summit of Mount Donna Buang was cut
during the 1890’s and the much wider Donna Buang Bridle
Track, which the current road from Warburton to the top of Mount
Donna Buang follows, was opened in 1912.
In 1924, the Ski Club of Victoria built an eight-foot wide track
for skiers on the top of Mount Donna Buang. Being the nearest
location to Melbourne where you could ski, the mountain was well
patronised and both the Ski Club of Victoria and the Melbourne
University Ski Club built huts on the mountain to cater for their
members. During the 1930’s the Warburton Ski Club was
officially formed as well. The first observation tower was erected
shortly after the bridle track was opened.
FTF Prize
1 Litre Sistema
Container.