Mansfield, Victoria

Mansfield Victoria
Location of Mansfield in Victoria (red)
Population:	4052 (2006)[1]
Postcode:	3722
Location:	202 km (126 mi) from Melbourne 65 km (40 mi) from Benalla 117 km (73 mi) from Seymour
LGA:	Mansfield Shire
State District:	Benalla
Federal Division:	Indi
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Rainfall 20.9 °C 70 °F 5.1 °C 41 °F 706.6 mm 27.8 in

Mansfield (37°03′S, 146°05′E) is a small town in the foothills of the Victorian part of the Australian Alps. It is approximately 180 km north-east of Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Mansfield had a population of 4052. Mansfield is the centre of a large shire; it was amalgamated with the nearby town of Benalla (60 km) to form Delatite Shire but after community action became the first de-amalgamation in Victoria. Mansfield was formerly heavily dependent on farming and logging, but is now a tourist-centre. It is the support town for the large Australia ski resort Mt Buller. It is associated with the High Country tradition of alpine grazing, celebrated in the film The Man from Snowy River, which was made around Mansfield (based on a poem by Banjo Paterson with the same name).

Recreation

Mansfield is very close to two large lakes, Lake Eildon and Lake Nilacootie. During the summer these sites are popular waterskiing destinations. The nearby mountains Mount Buller and Mount Stirling offer attractions all year round. During winter they are visited for skiing, lifted and back country respectively. In the summer hiking and mountain biking are popular. Ski lifts operate year-round at Mount Buller allowing bikers to easily get to the top of downhill mountain biking runs. The bushland around Mansfield is used for horse riding, trail biking and four wheel driving on extensive tracks throughout the region. Once a year the "Mansfield Balloon Festival" celebrates hot air balloons, and draws crowds and enthusiasts from across the state. Mansfield is the home to the Mansfield Eagles football club.

Notable past/present residents

• Josh Fraser - Collingwood football player
• Victoria Mitchell - Athlete
• David Mensch - Previously an AFL player at the Geelong Football Club
• Simon Gerrans - Professional road bicycle racer

References