Photo: Giggy / CC BY 2.0
Crowning Victoria’s High Country, Mount Hotham is a year-round alpine playground that delivers dramatic ridgeline views, world-class skiing in winter, and exhilarating mountain-biking and hiking once the snow melts. At 1862 metres, it’s one of Australia’s highest resorts, meaning reliable snow and a landscape that feels wild and untamed. The village clings to the Great Alpine Road, with ski-in/ski-out lodges and a laid-back après scene that’s more about hot chocolate and board games than nightclubs. Whether you’re carving powder on the slopes or watching the sunset paint the Bogong High Plains gold, Hotham rewards those who embrace the altitude.
Highlights & What to See
- Ski & snowboard the Summit & Heavenly Valley – Advanced runs off the Summit chair offer steep chutes and bumps; intermediates love the long cruisers off Heavenly Valley.
- Hike the Razorback Ridge – In summer, this iconic walk traces a knife-edge ridge between Hotham and Mount Feathertop, with 360-degree views of the Victorian Alps.
- Mountain-bike the flow trails – The Hotham Mountain Bike Park has over 30 km of gravity-fed and cross-country trails, from beginner to double-black diamond.
- Watch the sunset from the Summit – The top of the Summit chair is the classic spot for a golden-hour panorama over the alps.
- Explore Dinner Plain – A charming alpine village 10 minutes’ drive away, with a cosy pub, cross-country ski trails, and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe.
Suggested Time to Spend
For a ski or snowboard trip, plan 3–5 days to fully explore the mountain’s 320 hectares of terrain. If you’re visiting in summer for hiking or mountain-biking, 2–3 days gives you enough time to tackle the Razorback Ridge, ride the bike park, and soak up the alpine atmosphere. Day-trippers from Bright or Harrietville can get a taste, but the best experiences involve staying overnight to catch the morning light on the peaks.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Bright – A vibrant alpine town 60 km north, famous for its autumn colours, craft breweries, and the Rail Trail.
- Mount Buffalo National Park – Granite tors, waterfalls, and the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet make this a great day trip from Hotham.
- Falls Creek – Another top ski resort about 1.5 hours’ drive, with a huge network of cross-country trails and a lively village.
- Omeo – A historic gold-rush town on the southern side of the Great Alpine Road, worth a stop for its heritage buildings and pub.
- Bogong High Plains – A vast, treeless plateau perfect for summer wildflower walks and winter backcountry touring.
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
- Mount Buffalo National Park — Zoltan Olah / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Falls Creek — Tjswish / 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
- Dinner Plain — Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0