Ron and Andrea Camier established Mountain-Top Experience in 1998 following Ron's retrenchment from brown coal research and development due to the privatisation of the power industry. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla have become very popular, winning many accolades including a Victorian Tourism Award in 2003. With its enthusiastic team of tour guides, MTE has initiated a network of inter-related small businesses. This has included 4WD driver training courses exceeding nationally accredited standards, and their Mt Baw Baw Transport Service to the snow each winter.
     Starting with the MTE fleet of vehicles, MTE4x4 was established in 2002 by Ian McCowat of Morwell, aka "Inspector Gadget", specialising in Land Rover modifications and accessories. Having broken almost everything possible to break in these tour vehicles, Ian's technical genius has developed improvements and modifications to make them almost "bullet-proof" and these skills are now in great demand by many other customers.

     The hiring out of MTE's 4WD vehicles expanded into a joint venture with Gippsland Fleet Maintenance in 2004, adding a fleet of three hire-drive mini-buses. This subsequently led to regular mini-bus rentals and transport services including significant logistics support to land management authorities during the bushfires of 2006, 2007 and 2009. We also were able to support Fusion Gippsland in their local youth and community work.
     In 2005 bushman Mike Thomas, who had a horse trail riding business at his property, Mountain Rivers Lodge in Rawson, joined the team. Mike was a colourful character and popular tour guide on both the trail rides and later 4WD tours. However the impact of escalating insurance costs together with hazards to horse riding from dirt bikes led to the closure of his trail ride business. In 2007 the Camiers bought a half share in the 40 acre property. This was for the dual purpose of assisting Mike stay on there following the closure of his trail ride business, together with assisting friends David and Sarah Bush find a site to establish their paintball sports facility. Then in 2008 Mike's deteriorating health caused him to sell out entirely and move interstate.     

The Lodge accommodation business was then managed by Sarah Bush. In addition to being the home of the Bush family, the Mountain Rivers property became the home of Phoenix Paintball. Commencing in late 2007, this adrenalin-based sport has become phenomenally popular with young adults, with player numbers exceeding expectations. The varied and picturesque location of the fields, and friendly but professional style of operation  helped to establish Rawson as Gippsland's, and perhaps Victoria's, premier location for this sport.
     Also in 2007, "Hayno" and Diane Haynes from Drouin established Adventure Learning Experience (ALX) to extend MTE's 4WD-based team building trips. Hayno's specialist training in Canada has assisted him to develop unique experiential learning and leadership training programs for corporate and school groups, working in conjunction with a number of campsites around Gippsland.
     

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