If you’re the kind of family who loves fresh air, muddy boots, ice cream after a long day out, and letting the kids run a little wild, the High Country is your kind of place. Out here, things are simple good views, good company, and endless space to explore. And whether you’re staying at Seeforth Station  or The Hideout , you’re perfectly placed to get out and enjoy the best of it. Here are some of our favourite family-friendly activities around the region: Mini Golf, Mansfield Right in the middle of Mansfield town, you’ll find the mini golf course, perfect for a morning or afternoon when you want something fun that doesn’t require a big plan. Let the kids challenge the parents to a mini-golf match and celebrate with an icecream or delicious donut. The Maze, Goughs Bay 15 minutes from Mansfield or 20 min from the Hideout. New owners and management Nicky and Tony have given the garden space a beautiful refresh and re-opened 20 December 2025. Enjoy adventures across the gardens, think fairies, gnomes, and relax with a tasty treat. Paw Print Walk, Jamieson An easy wander through the beautiful riverside town of Jamieson, following colourful paw prints that lead you through town and along the river. Great for younger kids and a gentle way to explore a picture-perfect township. Fishing Mansfield's and Mt Buller’s clear streams and inlets ensure a magical fishing experience for the whole family. The Howqua, a Victorian Heritage River, is a fly-fishing icon. For a different perspective, you can drop a line off the back of a tinnie while you enjoy the view from Lake Eildon, or take in the wild High Country at the edge of Mt Samaria and fish the waters at Lake Nillahcootie. Lake Eildon, Goughs Bay On a warm day, there’s nothing better than a swim in the lake. Pack towels, snacks, and let the kids splash around. Simple, free, and always a hit. If you’ve got a boat, kayaks or inflatables, bring them! You can have a refershing lunch or beer at the Goughs Bay boat Club . Trampoline Park, Buller Airzone If the weather turns or the kids have way too much energy (it happens), the trampoline park up at Buller is an easy fix. They can bounce themselves silly while you relax. Mountain Bike Trails on Mt Buller – Northside Express Chairlift Open in Summer For older kids or families who love a bit of adventure, Buller’s MTB trails are some of the best in the state. Some of the lifts run through the warmer months, and the trails range from beginner-friendly to more challenging. You can make a whole day of it. Mansfield Zoo   Located just outside Mansfield, Mansfield Zoo spans 30 acres and is home to over 220 animals, including deer, kangaroos, crocodiles and even African lions. Visitors can hand-feed some of the animals, a hit with kids and families. Great Victorian Rail Trail   This 134km rail trail runs right through Mansfield and is perfect for an easy ride, a walk, or a family-friendly cycle. It’s the kind of day out where you don’t need much planning, just hop on and go. Popular stretches include riding over the Bonnie Doon Bridge with lunch at the Bonnie Doon Hotel , a coffee stop at Wild Mint Acres in Maindample, spotting artworks along the way, or finishing at the Mansfield Station Precinct and rolling straight into town. We also recommend popping into the Visitor Information Centre for a chat, the local staff know the area inside out. Markets Mansfield has several markets from the Farmers market  held on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month from February to December, and the Outdoor Providore  market held 3rd Saturday of each month, to the quarterly Bush market  with the next one scheduled for the Australia Day weekend on  24 Jan 2026. Ashowcasing the high country. Simple Fun, Close to Home: Hideout & Seeforth Sometimes the best family days are the ones where you hardly leave home base. At Seeforth Station , you’ve got bush tracks, horse yards, and kms to explore right on your doorstep. Kids can climb, roam, and burn energy the old-fashioned way, outside. At The Hideout , the river is the star. Skimming stones, paddling, fishing, or just sitting in a camp chair watching the kids splash for hours... it’s slow living at its best. Firepit, open lawns, shady trees, wildlife at dawn, simple, real, no luxuries needed.

Let’s be real, weddings are a big deal . You spend months (sometimes years!) planning this one incredible day… and then bam , it’s over in what feels like a blink. That’s why more and more couples are stepping away from the one-day wedding rush and choosing a whole weekend to soak it all in. Honestly? We’re here for it. My own wedding was a three-day celebration, and I wouldn’t change a thing. And when you pair a weekend wedding with exclusive use accommodation? That’s where the magic really happens. Here’s why it works — and why so many couples (and their guests) are loving it. Photos from Stewart Leishman Photography 1. You Actually Get to Spend Time With People A single-day wedding is beautiful, sure, but it’s a blur. You spot your cousin across the room, someone hands you a champagne, and next thing you know, you’re being bundled into a car with confetti still in your hair. With a weekend wedding, everything slows down. You get Friday night welcome drinks, Saturday’s big day, and a relaxed Sunday brunch to finish. Lawn games, slow mornings, laughs around the firepit,  it’s like a mini holiday with your favourite people. And that’s honestly what makes the memories. 2. Weekend Weddings are Way Less Stressful (Trust Us) We’ve seen the chaos of couples trying to bump in and out on the same day. It’s not fun. But with venues like The Hideout, you get the whole place to yourself, often from Thursday or Friday through to Sunday or Monday. That means plenty of time to set up, rehearse, unwind, celebrate and pack down, without a stopwatch ticking in the background. You’re not just booking a wedding date, you’re giving yourselves space to enjoy the whole experience. 3.  The Day-After Feels Are Real Waking up with a foggy head and a full heart, surrounded by your mates, is pretty special. You don’t have to rush off or say your goodbyes in the carpark. Instead, you can enjoy a proper coffee, swap stories from the dancefloor, or even head down to the river for a swim (seriously, best hangover cure ever). These quiet, unscripted moments often end up being the ones you treasure the most. 4. More Opportunities to Personalise the Whole Experience When you’ve got the whole venue to yourself, there’s freedom to shape the weekend your way. Want a pizza night under the stars? Morning yoga with local instructors? A bushwalk, bonfire or DIY cocktail bar? Go for it. With the extra time and space, you can add personal touches that reflect you as a couple, not just what fits into a 10-hour hire window. Photo from Stewart Leishman Photography 5. Exclusive Use Means It’s All Yours The best part of exclusive use? No strangers wandering in and out. No awkward shared spaces. No working around other events. At The Hideout, you’ve got the homestead, cabins, gardens, bar area, firepit, and the river all to yourselves. You can unpack, settle in and feel like it’s your own little world for the weekend. And when your family and friends arrive, they feel part of it too, not just like guests at a venue, but part of something more. 6. A Weekend Wedding is Often Better Value Than You Think A wedding weekend with exclusive use can seem like a bigger investment at first, but when you look at what’s included, accommodation, venue, flexibility, facilities, and time, it starts to add up in the best way. At The Hideout, you can sleep up to 23 in beds, with plenty of extra space for camping. There’s room for your caterers, musicians, and florists to set up with ease. Plus, it’s BYO,  so you have full control over what you spend on food, drinks, and styling. 7. Weekend Weddings Just Work for Regional Weddings If your guests are already travelling, and let’s face it, a lot probably are, a weekend wedding just makes sense. People are more than happy to make a trip of it, especially when they can stay onsite or close by. The area around Howqua and Mansfield is packed with things to explore, so it’s a win-win for your guests too. I’ve helped plan sit-down dinners for 200 to low-key gatherings with fairy lights and bare feet. And every time, it’s the full weekend celebrations with exclusive use that bring out the magic. There’s just something about slowing it all down, being surrounded by your people, and having space to soak it in. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s less rushed, more real, and completely you, a weekend at The Hideout might be exactly what you’re looking for. Keen to see it for yourself? Get in touch  — we’d love to show you around. Kellie and Saskia

Tucked away in Victoria’s High Country, the Howqua Valley is one of those rare places that still feels untouched, untamed, and full of old-world charm. It’s not just a spot on the map, it’s a place that gets into your bones. Whether you’re chasing the quiet of the bush, the thrill of a 4WD trail, or the calm of casting a line at dusk, the Howqua’s got something for everyone. We’re Charlie and Kellie Lovick, and we’ve spent our lives in these hills, riding horses, working cattle, guiding adventures, and now welcoming guests to our two bush stays, The Hideout  and Seeforth Station . If you're planning a visit, here are our top five ways to truly experience the Howqua bush, the way the locals do. 1. Hit the Howqua Trails – On Horseback or Wheels There’s no better way to see the High Country than from the saddle or behind the wheel. The bush tracks around Howqua are a mix of winding forest trails, open ridgelines, and river crossings. Riders and motorbike lovers will find plenty of open space and rugged terrain to explore. If you're keen for something guided, Buckle Up Bush Rides  runs treks that’ll show you parts of the country most folks never see and you'll stay at Seeforth Station.  2. Cast a Line in the Howqua River The Howqua River is one of the region’s most iconic waterways, and a favourite for fly fishing. Quiet mornings, glassy water, and the chance to catch trout straight from the riverbank? That’s pure High Country gold.  If you’re staying at The Hideout , you’ve got direct river access right from the garden, perfect for a peaceful solo cast or teaching the kids a thing or two about patience and bait. If you feel like a fly fishing lesson, get in touch with riverdowns . Hot Tip: Next time you see him, make sure to ask Charlie about how the river came to be full of trout. 3. Campfires and Storytelling Under the Stars There’s something about a campfire in the bush that brings people together. The stars feel closer out here, and the stories run deeper. Whether you’re gathered around the reclaimed timber fire pit at The Hideout or kicking up the dust beside Seeforth ’s big old fireplace, this is where memories are made. Hot tip: Bring a guitar, a bag of marshmallows, and an open heart. 4. Explore the Icons – Craig’s Hut, Bindaree Falls & The Bluff Make a day of it and head out to some of the local landmarks. You can 4WD to Craig’s Hut  (made famous by The Man from Snowy River ), cool off at Bindaree Falls , or hike up to The Bluff  for breathtaking views. It's a wild country, so pack your esky, check the conditions, and always let someone know your plans. Make sure you stop into the Mansfield Visitor Information Centre and go and see Pam, Colleen or Jenny as they can provide you with maps and information about the conditions of the tracks.  5. Slow Down and Just Be Sometimes the best part of the bush isn’t doing anything at all. Grab a cuppa and watch the wind in the trees. Lie on the grass and listen to the river. Sit with your thoughts and let the bush do what it does best, bring you back to yourself. Whether you’re gathering the family for a reunion, retreating with a yoga group, or just needing a weekend to breathe, you’ll find stillness out here that’s hard to come by these days. Ready to Find Your Spot in the Howqua Bush? We’d love to help you experience the Howqua the way we know it, real, raw, and unforgettable. Come stay a while, Charlie & Kellie Lovick Enquire now - The Hideout & Seeforth Station

Get in touch with us about our accommodation, wedding, and event venues in Howqua and Merrijig. We're here to help with bookings, availability, and any questions about The Hideout and Seeforth Station. info@lhcescapes.com.au Contact First name* Last name Email* Which property are you enquiring about?* The Hideout Seeforth Station What arrival date are you enquiring about?* How can we help? Yes, I would like to be updated on special deals and Vic High Country activities. Submit

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Unique accommodation venue for families, friends, and groups seeking a rustic, self-contained experience in the heart of nature. Ideal for horse riders, 4WD, and motorbike trips. Seeforth Station Seeforth Station, a working cattle property near Sheepyard Flat, offers a unique retreat for families, friends, and groups seeking a rustic, self-contained experience in the heart of nature. Just minutes from the Howqua River, this tranquil escape combines natural beauty with essential comforts. A large open fireplace enhances the communal atmosphere, while a generator supplies 240-volt power. Enjoy outdoor adventure on your doorstep with bushwalking, horse riding, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, and trail biking. The station is also a great base for 4WD trips and gold fossicking in Howqua Hills, with popular day trips to The Bluff, Bindaree Falls, and Craig’s Hut. Seeforth Station promises an unforgettable experience in the serene Australian bush. Guests need to bring their own bedding, toiletries, consumables, and ice for the icebox. Visit our FAQ for more information. Pet Friendly Horse Yards 4 Shower Rooms Sleeps up to 40 Entire Venue space for camping Fully Equipped Kitchen Large Open Fire Undercover Entertainment Area incl Bar Indoor and Outdoor Dining Space Ample Space for Camping and Parking Cabins 1 - 8: 1 x Queen Cabin 9 : 1 x Double, 1 x Single Bunks Cabin 10: 1 x Queen , 1 x Single Cabin 11 -14: 3 x Single Bunks Check in 1pm - Check out 12pm Minimum of two nights' stay on weekends Midweek discounts Cancellation Policy - Cancellation Policy - Non -refundable $500 deposit to be paid at time of booking. Balance to be paid 7 days out from arrival. Cancelations after this time are non- refundable however an alternative booking date within a 12month period can be negotiated. Request to Book **As of 1st January 2025 all bookings will incur the 7.5 % state government short stay tax.