The Alpine Gateway to Mount Hotham
During winter skiing season, visitors can access their resort via Wangaratta’s Great Alpine Road; an attractive drive through mountain valleys and forests with views of the Great Dividing Range.
Snow chains are mandatory on the Great Alpine Road and can be hired in Bright and Harrietville; failing to bring one could result in a significant fine.
Harrietville
Harrietville is the ideal starting point for exploring Mount Hotham. Offering snow sports as well as summer trails, this picturesque town by the Ovens River is a picturesque delight that attracts hikers and bikers. Enjoy dining, accommodation and recreational activities all year long while taking in stunning alpine scenery!
Victoria’s High Country offers many natural attractions and highlights for visitors to Victoria. Enjoy stunning peaks, lush mountain ash forests, vibrant alpine meadows, and memorable scenic drives from Melbourne that will leave lasting memories.
As soon as the snow thaws, take a leisurely stroll along the Ovens River at Tavare Park or tuck into freshly baked vanilla slice from Harrietville bakery. Or explore Harrietville village’s fascinating heritage; streets lined with historic huts and homes await discovery! Or if you prefer more active pursuits like hiking, mountain biking skiing and snowshoeing.
Visitors should always be mindful of road conditions during winter and carry chains as all vehicles entering Mt Hotham are required by law to have snow chains. They can be hired from Myrtleford, Bright and Harrietville Ski Centre as well as Hoys Harrietville Ski Centre if necessary. It’s also wise to top up fuel before embarking on your mountain adventures.
Winter visitors to Mt Hotham will find that Alpine Gateway at Mt Hotham’s Loch car park offers a more convenient and enhanced experience, serving as a Park’n-Ride facility offering safe access to ski fields as well as interpretive facilities. In summer months it will also serve as the trailhead for Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing multi-day walks as well as signature walks.
Bairnsdale and Omeo provide a gentler southern approach that requires less chain use than the Hume Highway route via Yackandandah and Great Alpine Road to Bright and Harrietville. If traveling with children, this route makes finding child seats much simpler.
Mount Hotham
Mount Hotham, Australia’s highest alpine resort, provides an unforgettable mountain experience. As the only ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere located atop a peak, Mt Hotham stands out among other mountain resorts as an idyllic haven of snowcapped peaks and rugged mountain ranges, providing the ideal setting to escape modern life while taking part in exciting outdoor pursuits!
Mount Hotham resort boasts the world’s northernmost heliport, making access to its mountains easier for visitors from both regional Victoria and interstate locations via helicopter. Situated directly above Alpine Gateway at Loch car park, it serves as an essential link between Mt Hotham and surrounding regions of Victoria or interstate states.
Officially opened just ahead of winter’s arrival, Melissa Dimopoulos, Minister for Environment and Acting Minister for Climate Change has declared it a great asset to regional Victoria. She added that it will make accessing mountain terrain easier, making locals and visitors alike enjoy what this region has to offer.
Mt Hotham offers something for all snow enthusiasts – novice or veteran alike – whether they are newcomers or experienced experts alike. The village is famous for its incredible snowboarding and skiing opportunities as well as family friendly fun like tobogganing and snow play, not to mention hiking trails and scenic walks to explore.
Mt Hotham boasts a number of restaurants and bars for dining and drinks. The Bird Cafe & Bar provides quick bites while Miss Mary’s Bar provides delicious cocktails after a day on the slopes – both featuring amazing views, incredible cuisine, and perfect surroundings to unwind after your experience on Mt Hotham.
Melbourne Airport provides access to Bright-Omeo via bus services that depart daily, such as the AlpsLink that runs between Bright and Omeo with stops at Harrietville, Dinner Plain and Cobungra en route. Winter service runs every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday – you could also take an Epic Pass between Mt Hotham and Falls Creek using these busses if desired!
Buses
If you prefer not to drive, Mount Hotham can be reached by bus services that operate daily from Melbourne (Southern Cross Station or Melbourne Tullamarine Airport) with stops at Bright, Harrietville, and Omeo before arriving at Mt Hotham – taking approximately four hours including stops. These trips offer eco-friendly alternatives. Alternatively, riding your own bicycle to Mt Hotham can also be an enjoyable way of discovering its surroundings; mountain bike trails abound including Mount Buffalo to Mt Hotham shared trail.
Mt Hotham’s most beloved winter activity is skiing and snowboarding, offering beginner-friendly green runs as well as challenging double black diamond slopes for all skill levels. Additionally, Mt Hotham boasts an active apres-ski scene as well as dining options within its village. In summertime Mt Hotham transforms into an idyllic retreat for hiking and mountain biking with beautiful trails through lush green landscapes filled with colorful flowers and wildlife – providing a wonderful summer escape!
The Alpine Gateway to Mt Hotham will improve year-round access for tourists and locals. Strategically located at Loch car park site, this multi-level parking area will help ease traffic congestion in the village while offering direct ski field access and starting points for signature walks like Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing and other routes. The facility will feature day shelter and visitor amenities to further improve user experiences.
Mt Hotham is an all-season destination for snow enthusiasts, though winter is by far its peak season. The alpine snow provides the ideal setting for skiing and snowboarding; other snow-related activities include tobogganing and snowplay. Mt Hotham Resort also features dining options, bars and live entertainment – the ideal combination for an unforgettable snow experience!
The road leading up to Mount Hotham from Hume Highway can be treacherous in poor weather conditions. Therefore, it is crucial that drivers check road conditions prior to driving on this journey, particularly during wintertime. Furthermore, ensure you have adequate insurance coverage should anything go amiss during your travels.
Driving
Mt Hotham offers everything a snow adventurer could ever desire and more, including beginner-friendly green slopes to challenging double black diamonds for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Mt Hotham also provides cross-country skiing, tobogganing and scenic snowmobile tours; plus there’s always plenty to keep everyone occupied during its lively apres-ski scene at night!
The Great Alpine Road connects Harrietville and Mt Hotham as well as many alpine destinations throughout Victoria’s High Country, and features breathtaking mountain ash forests and meadows that come alive during warmer months with over 160 species of native wildflowers.
Along the way, there will be plenty of chances to stop and appreciate the scenic vistas and wildlife, including Tronoh Dredge Hole, Tawonga Gap Lookout, Bogong Power Station and Bon Accord and Bungalow Spur Tracks leading up to Mount Feathertop in Kinglake National Park.
If you prefer not driving, regular buses run daily between Bright and Mt Hotham during winter season. Equipped with snow clearance gear, tickets can be booked either online or directly in Bright. Alternatively, flights to Mt Hotham from regional commercial airports in Victoria and NSW offer convenient service.
Mt Hotham is Australia’s highest fully-operational commercial aerodrome for private and charter flights, conveniently accessible from major cities in Victoria and NSW. Flight times between Melbourne and Mt Hotham average two hours making this option suitable for travellers from across Australia.
Harrietville is an idyllic Ovens River setting perfect for cyclists to ride and relax, and boasts an extensive gold mining history which is commemorated at its museum. Additionally, Harrietville connects directly with Murray to Mountain Rail Trail which allows cyclists to cycle over 150km between Bright, Myrtleford, Beechworth and Wangaratta!