Melbourne Travel Forum

I am planning a 2 week trip to Melbourne in Jun. I am planning a few days on a ski resort + sight seeing in melbourne. I have a few questions.

1) What to do with a child in melbourne? ( i am planning the usual like penguin island, great ocean road and wonder what else to do?)
2) Mt buller seems to be the closest ski resort to melbourne. Which accomdation is cheap and friendly for child on mt buller?
3) We have never been on a ski resort before, how long do you thik is sufficient to enjoy the ski resort? I planning to spend about 5 days.
4) What do we need to prepare for a ski trip beside the usual warm winter clothing?
5) What can we do on the ski resort?


Thanks in advance.

I hope it is late June as there is rarely snow in the first two weeks, especially ski able snow.
Mt Buller is the not the closest but it the one most likely to have snow at that time. Lake Mountain is closer but is for beginners. Buller can let you advance further and has great instructors. Most of the stuff you need can be hired on the mountain but it can be cheaper if you get it in Melbourne -maybe others have more recent knowledge on this. Not sure what else you can do other than eat and drink -others will have to advise on this.

Agree with above poster re snow in june so if your here in the first couple of week in June I would think twice about allocating 5 days for skiing. Mt Buller is the closest resort but you will get a better chance of snow at Mt Hotham approx 4-5 hour drive from Mel.
As for thing for kids, depending on how old you child is I would consider a morning at the Muesuem, its cheap and always has something interesting on.

Agree X2. Snow is very fickle around the Ski resorts in Victoria. Locals will wait until they know the snow is good before they plan a trip. I used to go to Buller as its relatively close to Melbpourne compared to Falls Creaak and Hotham, and if there was snow it was generally good. What to do with a child? Indoor things I suggest as it can be cold but not unbearable. Museum, Aquarium, Eureka Tower, Immigration Museum, Scienceworks and maybe a game of footy (Australian Football) at the MCG or the Docklands Stadium. A real cultural experience.

As you seem to be a novice at skiing maybe five days is a little long to stay on your first visit to the snow. Apart from skiing, snowboarding, eating & drinking there are not a huge amount of other options on the mountain. Two, possibly three days should be plenty.
I would suggest that you spend more time in Melbourne ie,
Melbourne Zoo (http://www.zoo.org.au/) has three distinct campuses, Parkville, Healsville wildlife Sanctuary & Werribee open range Zoo & all are excellent.
Puffing Billy railway is a good day out for kids & adults alike.
Hope you have a great trip.

You don't say how old the child is - that will help us help you. Agree with other posters about timing for the snow. With global warming and lower rain fall than in the past, our ski fields have been suffering quite badly in recent years.

Its many years since I've done any skiing, but one fitness tip that I remember is to do a sitting position, while leaning against a wall and without using a seat and hold that position for as long as you can and gradually do it for longer in the lead up to the holiday. Sounds a bit crazy, but it strengthens the mussels for skiing. Suggest you would want to take a few lessons when you get to the snow.

Please come back and let us know age of child.

hi, thanks all for your rely. My boy is seven year old. Very active boy who love animals and actions.


I have not decided which part in jun for the holiday but most likely 2nd -3rd week of Jun. My boy loves cold weather and looking forward to snow thus the plan to go to the ski resort. Looks like we should reduce time at the ski resort.

Any other suggestions on what we can do?

He likes animals you say? Melbourne Zoo, Healseville sanctually and Werribee open plain zoo would be excellent choices. Collingwood Childrens Farm is a good choice too, just north of the CBD. Check out my Melbourne page for the feeding wildlife tip :)

Eggboy, aka Peter

Thanks for telling us he's 7. Luna Park in StKilda is a fun park and I guess all kids like that, not sure if its open in winter, but if it is then the weekends. Add Scienceworks at Spottswood (old power station converted to a technical museum with lots of hands on stuff for kids of all ages). For a wet day, Australian Centre for Moving Images ACMI at Federation Square. If its still open the Queen Victoria Building has an Australian football hall of fame - don't know what its like inside. Those with all the others from eggboy and other posters should keep you busy for the time here.

For a seven year old boy, you could also try Art Play, which is a fantastic Art centre just for kids in the city. Or what about an Aussie Rules Football game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground? Could be fun if he is into sport.

Oh, and Puffing Billy is a good one for young kids too. It is a steam train which runs through the Dandenong ranges.

You will be happy to know it snowed today (only 20cm) on the highlands and more is expected this week. It could be a pointer to a great ski season.