Whitlands - Powers Lookout Scenic Reserve
Powers Lookout, named after one of Victoria's most infamous bushrangers, Harry Power, provides vistas of the Upper King Valley and the Alpine National Park. It is thought that the lookout was a vantage point for bushranger Harry Power to view approaching troopers during his period of notoriety in the north-east in the 1860s.
A walking track with a series of steep ladders provides the opportunity to climb to a viewing point at the most northern point of this rocky outcrop.
Powers Lookout is well worth the 21 km drive from Whitfield towards Tolmie to experience the spectacular views across the King Valley. There are two lookout points here; Lookout 2 is easily accessible for most people and only metres from the car park. Lookout 1 is a walk of 190 metres and offers a spectacular view across the Valley. The walk to Lookout 1 involves a number of steps and can be slippery after rain.
The Powers Lookout State Reserve is accessed off the Mansfield-Whitfield Road between Tolmie and Whitfield. From the Mansfield-Whitfield Road a three kilometre trip along a gravel road brings you to a parking area with picnic tables and toilets.
There are two lookout points providing sweeping views of the surrounding mountain and valley landscape.
The first lookout has wheelchair access.
A short walk (about 400 metres return) with a series of ladders takes you to a viewing platform at the northern most point of the rocky outcrop. It is easy to imagine why Power chose this site for a hideout.
There is also a 20-minute return walk through the bush to a waterhole amongst beautiful rocky ledges. Follow the path near the toilets in a westerly direction.
Location
Mansfield-Whitfield Road, Whitlands 3678 Map
Web Links
→ Powers Lookout Scenic Reserve (Parks Victoria)
→ Alpine National Park - Wabonga Plateau, Mount Cobbler, Powers Lookout - Park note (PDF)
