Powers Lookout, Victoria: A bushranger hideout with great views
Powers Lookout above the King Valley, Victoria, offers fantastic views towards the mountains. But it also tells the tale of notorious 1860s bushranger Harry Power.
What is Powers Lookout?
Powers Lookout is a scenic viewpoint above the King Valley in Victoria’s High Country. It is also a lookout with a backstory attached. Legend as it that this was the hideout of famous bushranger Harry Power, who was on the run from the police for eight years in the 1860s.
Where is Powers Lookout?
Powers Lookout is just off the Mansfield-Whitfield Road in Victoria’s High Country. Once you branch off the main road, it’s a three kilometre drive along a gravel track to the Powers Lookout car park.
The primary lookout is right next to the car park, and has a wheelchair-accessible platform. From here, you can see over the King Valley and Wobonga Plateau. You’ll also see the mountains on the horizon.
Powers Lookout walks
However, there is more than one lookout at Powers Lookout. And the second one at the most northerly point of the rock outcrop is great fun to get to. A twisty path with ladders and stairs passes rock formations and caves.
There’s also a gentler 20 minute return walk to what is known as Harry’s Watering Hole. This cave-surrounded spring was allegedly where Harry Power would take his horses to drink.
If you want to know more about the Harry Power legend, the information boards here delve into the bushranger’s story.
While walking, keep an eye out for lyrebirds and wedge-tailed eagles.
Why visit the King Valley?
The main reason to visit the King Valley, however, is the Italian-influenced King Valley wineries. Two of Australia’s top wineries are here, with Brown Brothers offering a private prosecco brunch. Pizzini Wines, meanwhile, offers a specialist sparkling wines tasting session and an Italian cooking school.
More Victoria travel
Visit the Chocolate Mill on the Daylesford to Bendigo drive.
How long is the Warragul to Morwell drive.
What to see on the road trip from Geelong to Bendigo.
See kangaroos on the St Andrews Beach Golf Course.
Admire the Great Ocean Road views from the Cape Patton Lookout.