Walhalla Coach House

The Coach House, Walhalla is just a short trip to Mt Baw Baw ski fields and the rivers and bush walks of Gippsland. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom family holiday home located in the beautiful Stringer's Gorge, and will accommodate 8 comfortably. (Booking price is based on a minimum 2 people, additional costs apply for extra people). Nestled above Stringer's Creek and shaded by massive Mountain Ash and Blackwood trees, it is private and secluded, yet only a short walk to the town centre. It is Solar Powered and eco friendly. While the house is extremely cosy in Winter, you'll find it refreshingly cool in Summer as it is nestled deep in the cool and shady Stringer's Gorge. Wake up to the sounds of birds and see wallabies and lyrebirds in the wild. Explore the creeks and rivers, pan for gold, throw in a fishing line or enjoy a swim or a walk, while staying at this charming getaway. Situated in the beautiful Walhalla Valley, The Coach House is just 2.5 hours east of Melbourne's CBD. The property features a spacious master bedroom with queen sized bed, second bedroom with double bed and third bedroom with a 2 bed bunk featuring cosy wool doonas. All bedrooms are upstairs and lead off the lounge with views across the gorge and down to the Walhalla Goldfields Tourist Railway. (The steam train runs on weekends, Wednesdays and public holidays and is a must for the kids). There is also a downstairs games room with a bunk. The Coach House features a very comfortable lounge and an efficient wood fire ensures a cozy retreat. LPG gas ensures you the luxury of a hot shower, gas cooking and heating. There is a pool table, piano and bunk bed in the downstairs games room, while upstairs there is a well stocked games cupboard plus plenty of books and puzzles for kids and adults. There is a radio/CD player if you're craving the more modern creature comforts. (If you have an auxiliary cord you can play music on your phone through this system). Otherwise, sit around the piano for a sing-along. There is a spacious upstairs lounge rooms and 2 dining areas so there's plenty of room to spread out, not to mention plenty of outdoor space and furnishings including a dining setting, lawn chairs and BBQ. Watch the steam train as it chugs by just a stone's throw away on its way to Thomson Station. Downstairs is a well stocked kitchen/dining room with a modern gas fridge, gas oven/cooktop, plenty of bench space and a dining table and chairs for up to 8. The downstairs bathroom features a deep bathtub and seperate shower and there is a seperate toilet and wash-stand off the downstairs lounge room. This second lounge/games room has a piano, bookshelves, bunk and pool table and features views of the historic railway line. Polished timber floors and cosy carpets are another highlight of this rustic retreat. It is a genuine getaway-from-it-all experience. The downstairs gas heater takes the chill off in Winter, and there is a phone connected for local, emergency and incoming calls only. There is ample parking and a flat area of shaded lawn overlooking Stringer's Creek and the railway line. There is an outdoor setting and lawn chairs so you can sit back and enjoy the beautiful valley setting. Please note, the property is not fenced. Please note we run on 12v power, so no hairdryers! There is limited 240 power available to charge phones, cameras and laptops. Not suitable for sleep apnea machines! DRIVING DIRECTIONS Walhalla is located just 2.5 hours East of Melbourne's CBD and is an easy and scenic drive through Gippsland. Take the City Link, Monash Freeway (M1) which then becomes the Princes Freeway (M1), then take the Moe Exit. (Just look for the "Golden Arches"). From here, follow the brown "Tourist Drive" signs to Walhalla via Erica (C466), then 3ks past there turn right to Rawson (C481) then left to Walhalla 1km past Rawson (C461). The Walhalla Coach House is the first house you see as you enter Walhalla and is signposted. To reach it take the first turn right up a dirt track, “Happy Go Lucky Road” (also known as Bruntons Bridge Road), which is just after the “Walhalla” and blue “Bus Turning” signs on the road in. Look for the Stringer's Cottage and Coach House signs sign on the cream picket fence to your right and you have arrived. The driveway to your right leads down to the Coach House and parking for Stringer's Cottage. It's a steep drive and a 3 point turn at the bottom to get to the house. NOTE: GPS, Google Maps, Tom Tom and phone maps do not show this region accurately if at all and you may not even get coverage past Moe. Outdoor activities include bushwalking, fishing, bike riding, 4x wheel driving, swimming, panning for gold or just relaxing in the tranquil garden listening to the stream and the birds, and watching the steam train occasionally pass by. Walhalla Goldfields Railway This unique narrow gauge train offers a spectacular journey as it winds its way down Stringer's Creek Gorge from Walhalla, over the historic Thomson River Bridge and into Thomson Station. A group of enthusiastic volunteers have rebuilt the railway line from the Thomson River to Walhalla with further plans to extend it all the way to Erica. The Train operates on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, public and school holidays, leaving Walhalla at 11am, 1pm and 3pm (June - August no 3pm train). Return fares are $20 per adult and $15 for kids. Long Tunnel Extended Mine Tour This was once one of the world's richest gold mines and over 13 tonnes was removed from this mine making it one of the most successful in Australia. Today you can venture deep inside the hillside on a 45 minute guided tour. Family (2 adults and up to 6 children): $49.50. Adults: $19.50 Concession and children under 16: $15.00 Mine tours are conducted on weekends and during school and public holidays at 12 noon, 1.30pm and 3 o'clock and Monday to Friday at 1.30pm. Gold Prospecting Bring along your gold pan and try your luck in Stringer's Creek which runs through the town. They're still mining for gold in Walhalla and there must be loads more gold still around, so why not give it a go. Bushwalking There are plenty of good walks to do in and around Walhalla. First and foremost is the Australian Alpine Walking Track which starts right here in Walhalla and goes all the way to Canberra! (650 km to ACT). You can do a shorter section of this on a 40km, 2 day 3 night fully guided and catered walk from Mt Baw Baw to Walhalla. Check for details in the publication by John and Lyn Daly - "Take a Walk in Kosciuszko National Park". Tramway Walking Track Shorter and easier walks are numerous around the area, but one not to miss is along the old tram track, a picturesque walk overlooking the town on what was once a rail line taking timber to the mines. This gives you breathtaking views of the town and there are steep access paths opposite the hotel, the General Store, at the band Rotunda, the mine and at the North Gardens Camping Ground. For the non climbers you can drive up to the mine and it is a flat walk from there. You can walk this all the way to Thomson Station, though the last section is a steep downhill walk (approximately 6 kms). You can then catch the train back to Walhalla if you've timed it right. (Adults $15 one way). Walhalla Cricket Ground If you are still keen, another well known trek is up to the Cricket Ground. It begins opposite Spetts Cottage, on the right hand side of the road between the Star Hotel and the Long Tunnel Mine. It is a steep 45 minute walk, but worth it to see the ground which was carved out of the top of the hill when flat land was at a premium. Wander along Stringer's Creek, or take the more energetic track to old Maidentown and hunt for relics from last century. Take the train to Thomson Station and do the 6 kilometre return walk which ends up skirting the town on the old tramway line. A little further afield is the beautiful walk to Mushroom Rocks, a fascinating geological formation. Bike Riding Get out your bikes and ride the Rail Trail from Thomson Station to Erica, or try some of the many bush paths and 4WD tracks. There's plenty of wildlife to see such as wallabies, kookaburras, lyrebirds and black cockatoos, not to mention snakes so do take care. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and beautiful vegetation including tree ferns, mountain ash and native orchids. Skiing In Winter, the snow fields of Mt St Gwinear are just half an hour away with excellent snow for sightseeing, tobogganning, cross country skiing or snow shoeing. The slopes are not at all crowded so it is a great place for beginners or small children to get their first taste of the Victorian snowfields. Slopes are patrolled and there is a heated shelter for day trippers. Equipment is available for hire from Erica just 20 minutes away. Alternatively, for downhill skiing the South Face Road gives easy access to the Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort. This is a one hour, 45k drive and the first half is sealed, the second half gravel, but no 4WD required. Be on the ski slopes in just one hour. There is a kids' toboggan run with toboggans for hire, and a range of ski slopes to suit all levels of skier. Food, drink and souvenirs are available at the Resort. Ski gear is also available for hire at Mt Baw Baw or Erica. Always carry snow chains or you may be refused entry. These are also available for hire from Erica Ski Hire. Fishing There is great fishing to be done in the upper reaches of the nearby Thomson River, while enjoying the region's beauty and solitude. Fly fishing for trout will challenge the most ardent angler. Swimming There is safe swimming in the waterhole on Stringer's Creek, just a short walk up the road towards town. You can also take a 15 minute drive to Coopers Creek where there is good swimming with a waterhole and swing rope, mini rapids to go down on with the lilo, and some great exploring to be done up the river.