Melbourne Travel Forum

Dear VTers

Pardon me if you find this question silly.

I will be going to Melbourne on 30 May - 8 Jun with my family (3 generation, 6 adults 3 kids). This is my third time to Australia and 2nd time to Melbourne but first time for the rest of my family member.

They are keen to stay in any one of the Alpine Resort to feel the winter, however, most of the Alpine resort only open on 6th Jun (lift operation) and even if they are open there is no guarantee to see it snowing, right?

So my question is, which alpine resort is most likely to snow in the early winter during our period of stay? Falls Greek, Mt Buller, Hotham, Baw Baw, Lake Mountain?

Our itineraries (self drive) :-
30 May - Apollo Bay
31 May - Warrnambool
1 Jun - Philips Island
2 Jun - Philips Island
3 Jun - Yarra Valley & Marysville
4 Jun - Alpine Resort
5 Jun - Alpine Resort
6 Jun - Melbourne City
7 Jun - Melbourne City
8 Jun - Early morning departure

What do you guy think? Good for family? Or shall we alter it?

Thank you very much.

Regards,
Coln

Hi Coln,

Your itinerary looks pretty good. As the previous poster said don't miss Port Fairy (I'd rather stay in Port Fairy than Warrnambool).

To get your Alpine fix, you could drive the Great Alpine Road which goes from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale. This road passes some nice towns such as Bright (Beechworth as a turn off). Mt Hotham for your Alpine resort (you could stay in Bright and take in a day at the mountain). Near Bright there is the Mt Buffalo National Park which may have some sightseeing snow. You end up in Bairnsdale which is on the coast on the other side of Melbourne. Nice area with towns such as Metung worth a look. Back to Melbourne via the freeway!

If you just want to stay in one place, then Falls Creek would be a good choice as it is a nice resort town and has the best chance of snow of all the resorts.

Regards
John

Thanks Peter, a good one.

We have checked the accommodation in Falls Creek and Mt Hotham and they both have quite many at the moment, and the rate is summer rate which mean low.

1 thing I don't understand is why they put up the course promo on 6th, and if happen there is no snow, how people are going to learn ski/showboard without snow?

We expect even without skiing/showboarding (apparently we don't know-how), at least we still can see snowing, making snowman and step on the snow deep into it.

Maybe we could only dream...

Regards,
Coln

Hi Winterson (wonderful nick for the cominng session)

Just read your post after I posted the previous one.

Seems like Port Fairy is a place not to miss, sure I will go and check the town, it is only 20km away from Warrnambool anyway.

We are not sure whether we should overnight at Bright (cheaper) or just go ahead to the mountain. Falls Greek is still our most-prefered resort. Our concern is if there is nothing much we can do up the resort, why would us stay 2 nights there? Shall we?

Thanks Winterson,
Coln

It is unlikely that Lake Mountain will have snow this early in the season - tho it does happen sometimes. Same with Baw Baw - they are the lowest mountains.

Mt Buller and Mt Stirling (great cross country mountain next to Mt Buller) are next in line going up the ranges and are not as high as Falls Creek, snow is usually a bit lighter at this end of the range.

It really will be the luck of the draw at the time. Some seasons see no snow until way after the long weekend but this year there has already been some good early falls. The long weekend is always the opening of the season - snow or not - but this is the official opening so that's when prices go up.

I would be keeping a close eye on the weather and planning your trip when you get to Melbourne. Buller and Stirling are only 2 - 3 hours from Melbourne so are the closest resorts. Keep checking for weather on http://ski.com.au

I'm heading to Mt Buller this weekend - I will ask some locals what they think will be happening this season.

Thanks Cheryl, please email me when you come back from Mt Buller, though we prefer more on Falls Greek. I really don't want to disappoint kids.

The question of what to do if there is no snow is he key! That is why I suggested the drive. Its going to be very cold up there and may be wet and windy (I hope you have suitable clothing for all!). But you may find the area beautiful as well and if you like to hike or do walks in the bush, then the area is quite nice.

My suggestion is not to book anything just yet and see what happens when you arrive. If there is no snow, then you could alter your itinerary. Its out of season so you won't have a problem with accommodation -although you are travelling with a crowd.
John

I think its too early in the season to guarentee any snow. Most of the Queens Birthday weekends (start of snow season) in recent years have had no snow. Would almost be worth while putting off trip one month till July. The weather bureau keep promising rain for Victoria, but we've had so very little - although they have promised for this weekend - so you might be lucky.

Thanks John and David.

I think I will not take up any accommodation at the alpine for the time being. Watch for the next 2 weeks, or I can call to book only when I reach Melbourne.

Animal watching is another highlight of our trip as children love it. On our itineraries we could have few places in our list, but we may not have time to visit them all. Any idea which one is the most worth visit?

The Nobbies
Maru Koala Park
Koala Conservation Centre
Penguin Parade
Healesville Sanctuary

Another interests : Codrington Wind Farm Tours (Port Fairy)
Is this place open for all visitor or we must book the tour?

Flagstaff Hill in Warrnambool, good place for children?
Any chance to spot whale at this time?

Regards,
Coln

You'll be pleased to know that we had about 25 centimetres of snow on some of the higher peaks over the weekend. It was almost cold enough for snow in Melb on Saturday - brrrrrrr