As soon as you pass the tollbooth in Mirimbah the climbing begins. The initial stages of the climb seem fairly challenging at around 6% but after a couple of kilometres it’s easy to get into a rhythm and enjoy the amazing scenery that this climb has to offer.

Passing through a thick covering of eucalyptus gums and lush ferns you’ll take two beautiful sweeping left-hand bends at 3.2km and 3.5km into the climb. At the 4.1km mark the road bends right exposing breathtaking views on the left that remain possible until 21 Mile Pit around 900 metres later.

While the average gradient of the climb is 6% the actual gradient fluctuates noticeably throughout the climb. There are several steep points throughout but these are almost always followed by short flat sections that allow you to catch your breath. You will also notice blue signs throughout the climb which show the elevation at that point in the climb and how far away the Mt. Buller Alpine Village is.

After 5.9km of climbing the road narrows slightly and more amazing views are available. 800m later the road flatens for a couple hundred metres passing the distinctive rockfall barrier and waterfall of White Bridge. At this point the road becomes considerably narrower and windier and stays that way until the Mt. Buller Alpine Village.

Climbing out of Chalet Creek, 7.9km from Mirimbah, the road bends sharply around to the left and you’ll be presented with the steepest part of the climb thus far. 9.0km into the climb, at Unnamed Corner, the road bends sharply again, this time to the right, with the gradient picking up slightly in the process.

The next couple kilometres feature several hairpin bends as the road winds through beautiful native bushland including Pump Inn Corner and the very sharp hairpin left at Boggy Corner, 11.9km from the start of the climb.

At the 13.7km mark the road emerges from the tree line and several ski lifts are visible ahead. 300m later you’ll pass under a chairlift suspended just above the road, reminding you Mt. Buller is one of the most frequented ski resorts in the country.

After 14.4km of climbing the turn-off to Mt. Stirling can be seen on the left with the road bending right and tilting upward into a very challenging final few kilometres.

At the 14.9km mark you’ll come face-to-face with the steepest part of the climb: the aptly named Hell Corner. At around 13% Hell Corner is followed by a steep hairpin right 200m later before the road eases briefly and then climbs sharply for the last few hundred metres to the Mt. Buller Alpine Village.

While the blue distance markers designate the Alpine Village as the end of the climb, the true finish is a further 900m up the road. In this case, the word ‘up’ is meant literally as this last section is a sustained climb in excess of 10%.

From the entrance to the Alpine Village at 15.9km, take a right turn onto the Mt. Buller Summit Road and continue up the last stretch to the top. The end of the climb is designated by the Arlberg Hotel found on the left of the road just before the road surface changes to gravel.

AT A GLANCE
- A consistent and picturesque climb with a few flat spots and steeper sections.
- The steepest section is Hell Corner at 14.9km — a left-hand bend with a gradient of ~13%.
- The optional climb from the village to the Arlberg Hotel is steep (10%+) but with great views.