Photo: Giggy / CC BY 2.0
Mount Hotham is a premier alpine resort in Victoria's High Country, offering world-class skiing, snowboarding, and year-round mountain adventures. Perched at 1,861 metres, it boasts some of Australia's most challenging terrain, with steep runs and deep powder that draw serious snow sports enthusiasts. Beyond winter, the region transforms into a paradise for hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives, with wildflower-strewn meadows and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Highlights & What to See
- Skiing & Snowboarding: Mount Hotham is renowned for its advanced runs, including the iconic 'Mary's Slide' and 'The Orchard', but also offers gentle beginner slopes at the Summit area. The resort receives abundant natural snowfall, making it a top choice for powder hounds.
- Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing: Explore the groomed trails around Dinner Plain and the High Plains, with stunning vistas of the Bogong High Plains. Snowshoe tours are a serene way to experience the alpine silence.
- Summer Hiking: The Razorback Trail offers a challenging hike with epic views, while the more accessible Swindler's Track leads to historic gold-mining ruins. Wildflowers bloom from November to February.
- Mountain Biking: The resort's downhill trails, such as 'The Groomed' and 'The Rough', are legendary among mountain bikers. Lift-accessed riding is available in summer.
- Dinner Plain: A charming alpine village just 10 minutes from Hotham, with cosy lodges, gourmet dining, and a relaxed après-ski scene. It's perfect for families and non-skiers.
Suggested Time to Spend
For a winter ski trip, plan at least 3–4 days to fully experience the slopes and explore Dinner Plain. Summer visitors can cover the main hikes and mountain bike trails in 2–3 days. If you're driving the Great Alpine Road, a stopover of 1–2 nights is enough to soak in the mountain atmosphere. Always check weather and road conditions before heading up.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Bright: A vibrant town 40 minutes down the mountain, known for its autumn colours, craft breweries, and river swimming. It's the main gateway to Mount Hotham.
- Falls Creek: A larger resort about an hour's drive, offering more family-friendly skiing and a lively village. Combine both for a varied snow holiday.
- Bogong High Plains: A vast alpine plateau with spectacular hiking, cross-country skiing, and historic cattlemen's huts. Accessible from Hotham via the Bogong High Plains Road.
- Omeo: A historic gold-rush town on the eastern side of the mountain, with heritage buildings and the scenic Omeo Highway. It's a less-travelled route with great views.
- Alpine National Park: Surrounding Mount Hotham, this park offers remote wilderness experiences, from the Mount Feathertop summit climb to the Victoria Falls walking track.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Bright — Dimitry B / CC BY 2.0
- Falls Creek — Tjswish / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Dinner Plain — Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Omeo — fir0002 flagstaffotos [at] gmail.com Canon 20D + Canon 17-40mm f/4 L / GFDL 1.2
- Bogong High Plains — The original uploader was Maelgwn at English Wikipedia . / FAL
- Alpine National Park — Alex Cohen / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Great Alpine Road — Lauri Väin / CC BY 2.0