High Country Summer

The Sunday Age

Sunday January 17, 1999

1. Mt Buller

Victoria's largest ski resort, about 80 kilometres beyond Mansfield, has a wide range of activities: mountain bike riding, in-line skating and hockey, horse riding, 4WD routes, fly fishing, abseiling and white water rafting. Bushwalking is immensely popular along the rugged bush trails of the Alps walking track. The Delatite Valley drive, with views of both Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, is well-loved.

Mt Buller Resort Management, (03) 5777 6077

2. Falls Creek

About five hours away, through Myrtleford to the edge of the Bogong High Plains overlooking the picturesque Kiewa Valley, Falls Creek is regarded by many as a place for a wining and fine dining breakaway weekend, especially during February when various winemakers might be featured or in March when there are classical music weekends. Choose accommodation from seven lodges, four apartments, and a couple of self-catering places.

Falls Creek Alpine Resort, 1800 033 079

3. Mt Buffalo

The landmark Mt Buffalo Chalet, built in 1910, is 320 kilometres from Melbourne via the Hume and Oxley Highways, and the 100-year-old National Park in which it sits averages 1525 metres above sea-level - a fact that is fairly obvious when you look over the sheer cliffs that drop away from the chalet, and marvel at the courage or madness of those who choose to climb or hang-glide there. The less daring are attracted by numerous walking tracks between 30 minutes' and six hours' duration.

Mt Buffalo Chalet 1800 037 038

4. Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain

South-west of Falls Creek, the winter ski-trail between Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham becomes a walking track in summer, with the rocky terrain of the area a mass of daisies and wildflowers. Dinner Plain itself is interesting, an architect-designed alpine village built using local timber and stone to harmonise with the landscape. The Mt Hotham village chairlift opens for sightseeing, or take your mountain bike with you and ride down.

Mt Hotham High Country Activities Centre, 1800 35 4555

5. Baw Baw

A three-hour drive from Melbourne, Mt Baw Baw National Park is a southern offshoot of the Great Dividing Range and includes the valleys of the Thompson and Aberfeldy Rivers. Comfortable accommodation is available at the ski village set among snowgums 1500 metres above sea level on the edge of the park. Main summer attractions are scenic drives or bushwalking on the Alpine Walking Track.

Baw Baw Alpine Resort Management Board, (03) 5165 1136