For this trip we took a steep road from Fruitlands, past Mitchells Cottage, and on to the top of the Old Man Range where the Obelisk (Old Man Rock) sits at 1695m (5560ft). Climbing so high on a road less than 12km long and with the road quite rutted at places I would recommend this route as best for 4wd vehicles with a low ratio gearbox. To do the same route in winter with snow on the ground would only be for the experienced and well equipped driver.
Click a picture for a larger image.
Mitchells Cottage sits near the start of the road. This is a restored
cottage built by the original owners of this area who mined gold further up
the mountain. A good road to this point and worth the short side trip off
SH8 to Alexandra. |
The fence around Mitchells Cottage shows creative use of the local stone
in an area where timber would have been in short supply. Fruitlands is in
the background. |
 About
half way up the mountain. Vanessa stands on one of the rock outcrops just
off the road. The town of Alexandra can be seen in the background |
 The
only other users on the road were this group of motorbikes on their way down
as we made our way up. |
 One
of the many dramatic rock outcrops that are scattered all over the top of
the mountain. |
 The
Obelisk or Old Man Rock. |
 From
a distance the landscape appears barren but up close it is a mass of alpine
herbs sheltered between the exposed rock. |
 In
mid summer many of the herbs are in flower. |
 A
nice contrast of the bright yellow flower and the gray rock. |
 The
Obelisk as seen from SH8 near Butchers Dam. |
 A
full circle panorama. |
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