Photo: Alex Cohen / CC BY-SA 3.0
Mount Baw Baw is a hidden alpine gem in Victoria's High Country, offering a refreshing escape from the Hunter Valley's heat. This small but charming ski resort and national park is beloved for its uncrowded slopes, snowshoeing trails, and wildflower displays in summer. It's a place where you can swap wine tasting for crisp mountain air and starry skies.
Highlights & What to See
- Mount Baw Baw Ski Resort – A low-key, family-friendly ski area with gentle runs perfect for beginners and intermediates, plus cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through snow gum forests.
- Baw Baw National Park – Hike the Australian Alps Walking Track or the short Rainforest Walk to see ancient tree ferns, mossy gullies, and the rare Baw Baw frog (listen for its call).
- Mount Baw Baw Summit – A relatively easy walk to the top rewards you with panoramic views of the Gippsland plains and, on clear days, the distant ocean.
- Snow Play Areas – Designated zones for tobogganing and building snowmen, ideal for families with young children.
- Summer Wildflowers – From December to February, the alpine meadows burst with snow daisies, trigger plants, and billy buttons.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors come for a day trip, but to fully experience the park's trails and serenity, plan an overnight stay. In winter, two days allow for a full day of skiing and a morning of snowshoeing. In summer, a weekend gives you time for a summit hike and a leisurely explore of the forest walks. If you're short on time, a single day is still rewarding – aim to arrive early and tackle the summit walk before lunch.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Walhalla – A historic gold-mining town with charming cottages, a steam railway, and the Long Tunnel Extended Mine tour.
- Lake Tyers – A peaceful spot for canoeing, fishing, and spotting platypuses at dawn.
- Yarragon – A quaint village known for its antique shops and artisan bakeries – a perfect lunch stop on the drive back.
- Noojee – Home to the towering Noojee Trestle Bridge and the Toorongo Falls, a stunning two-tiered waterfall.
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
- Walhalla — Dsidwell at English Wikipedia ( Original text: David Sidwell ) / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lake Tyers — denisbin / CC BY-ND 2.0
- Yarragon — Thylacoleo / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Noojee — Mattinbgn ( talk · contribs ) / CC BY 3.0
- Baw Baw National Park — Alex Cohen / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Mount Baw Baw Ski Resort — Alex Cohen / CC BY-SA 3.0