Location and surroundings
Mount Number 3 belongs to the Central Highlands, within the Southern Great Dividing Range and the broader Great Dividing Range. It is in Victoria, Australia, and the surrounding country is high, broken terrain made up of ridges, hills and neighbouring peaks. In the Central Highlands it ranks first by elevation among 200 named peaks, which makes it the local high point and a useful reference for the area.
The mountain sits in a part of the Australian high country where slopes are generally open and exposed, with forested ground lower down and more alpine-like conditions near the top. The landscape around it is shaped by nearby summits such as Mount Winstanley, Burnt Hut Knob and Mount Buller.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named peaks and passes give a good sense of the terrain around Mount Number 3. It is surrounded by other high points, but it is still higher than most of them and only Mount Buller rises above it nearby.
- No. 3 Mount — 1,465 m, 0.9 km SW
- Burnt Hut Knob — 1,428 m, 1.5 km W
- Mount Winstanley — 1,526 m, 5.6 km SE
- Mount Russell — 1,062 m, 5.7 km SW
- Bald Hill — 1,206 m, 7.1 km NW
- Burnt Top — 1,189 m, 8.1 km E
- Horse Hill — 1,490 m, 9.5 km S
- Mount Buller — 1,805 m, 9.7 km S
Compared with these neighbours, Mount Number 3 is one of the highest points in the immediate area and sits above all but Mount Buller among the listed nearby summits.
The view from the summit
From the summit of Mount Number 3, the highest peaks within 25 km are part of the same high country skyline. The main higher mountains in view are Mount Stirling to the southeast, Baldy to the south, and Mount Howitt farther southeast. Other prominent summits in the wider circle include Mount Eadley Stoney, Mount Marjorie and King Billy No. 2.
These peaks show how strongly elevated the surrounding country is, with several major summits clustered within a relatively short distance of Mount Number 3.
- Mount Stirling — 1,747 m, 10.0 km SE
- Baldy — 1,733 m, 10.0 km S
- Mount Eadley Stoney — 1,728 m, 20.5 km S
- Mount Marjorie — 1,725 m, 22.7 km SE
- King Billy No. 2 — 1,696 m, 23.3 km SE
- Mount Howitt — 1,746 m, 23.6 km SE
The range
Mount Number 3 is part of the Central Highlands, which are within the Southern Great Dividing Range and the broader Great Dividing Range. In this range hierarchy, the mountain belongs to the highest part of the local highlands and is the highest of the 200 named peaks in the Central Highlands.
The wider Great Dividing Range is a major mountain system in Australia, and Mount Number 3 sits in its Victorian high country section. The nearest higher peak is Mount Buller, 9.7 km to the south, which gives a clear sense of where the local high point gives way to even higher ground.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is cool but not severely cold for much of the year. The warmest month is January, at about 15 °C on average at the summit, while the coldest is June, at about 3 °C. All months are above freezing on average at the summit. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 900 mm, with the wettest month in June at about 95 mm and the driest in January at about 55 mm.
In this part of Victoria, weather can change quickly with wind, cloud and rain, and winter conditions may bring cold, wet ground and occasional snow on the higher slopes. Exposed ridges can feel much colder than the valley floor, especially in wind.
Best time to visit
Because the summit stays above freezing on average in every month, Mount Number 3 can be visited year-round, but the more comfortable periods are usually the warmer months when days are longer and the ground is less affected by winter wet. The drier part of the year is around January, which is also the warmest month at the summit.
For walking in the Victorian high country, late spring through autumn is often the easiest time for a day outing, while winter and early spring can bring colder conditions, wet tracks and more demanding navigation on open ridges.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain lies in the high country of Victoria, where the vegetation typically shifts from forest on lower slopes to more open, wind-exposed ground higher up. In this elevation band, hikers can expect a mix of mountain woodland, heath and grassier ridges, with the exact cover changing with aspect and exposure.
Wildlife in the region commonly includes birds and small mammals adapted to cool upland conditions, and larger animals may be seen on quieter slopes and in the surrounding forest. The terrain is generally suited to walking and ridge travel, but it can be rough, wet and exposed in bad weather.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Mount Number 3, a certified guide is usually not essential for experienced hikers in settled weather, but it can be useful for anyone unfamiliar with the Victorian high country, winter conditions or route-finding on open ridges. In Australia, the national mountain guide association is the Australian Climbing Instructors' Association, which is not an IFMGA/UIAGM member. Visitors also commonly look to local tourist offices and established operators in the country, such as High and Wild in Katoomba, for mountain activities and advice.
A guided ascent usually includes route planning, local weather judgement, navigation support and safety management. The cost depends on the number of days, group size, whether hut nights are involved and what equipment is provided or rented.
Safety and preparation
Mount Number 3 is not extremely high, but it is a real mountain environment: weather can shift, tracks may be rough, and exposed ground can become slippery or cold. Good boots, warm layers, rain protection, navigation tools and enough food and water are sensible even for a short outing. In winter or poor visibility, the open high country can be more serious than the elevation suggests.
For mountain rescue and other emergencies in Australia, call 000; 112 also works from mobile phones.
Interesting facts
Mount Number 3 is the highest of 200 named peaks in the Central Highlands. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Buller, 9.7 km to the south, and that is also the most prominent higher summit in the immediate area. The mountain sits in the Victorian section of the Great Dividing Range, within the broader mountain chain that crosses eastern Australia.
Because it is the local high point, it is a useful summit for understanding the structure of the surrounding high country, where several other named peaks rise close by but do not exceed it.
FAQ
How high is Mount Number 3? It rises to 1,560 m.
Where is Mount Number 3? It is in Victoria, Australia, in the Central Highlands of the Southern Great Dividing Range.
What is Mount Number 3 the highest point of? It is the highest mountain in the Central Highlands.
What is the nearest higher peak? Mount Buller, 1,805 m, lies 9.7 km to the south.
Are there huts on Mount Number 3? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
Is there water on the way to Mount Number 3? Carry your own water. On this high, exposed terrain, water sources are not something to rely on, and in warm weather you should plan for about 1.5-3 litres for a day depending on heat and distance.
Will my mobile phone work on Mount Number 3? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. On open ground a signal may be available, but it can fail in valleys and behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.