It also has probably Victoria’s best skiing, with the largest snow-making system in Victoria to supplement any shortage of the real stuff, a wide variety of downhill pistes, and good cross-country trails. A park for snowboarders has been established, too, in the Vertigo Valley near Scott’s Chair, a ski lift. In winter you simply put on the snowboard or skis and slide to and from your front door.
Skiing
"Switzerland with gum trees" is the call for Falls Creek. A true alpine village with everything you need and true ski in ski out lodging throughout the resort, Falls Creek certainly has plenty of appeal.
The village sits in an alpine bowl above the snowline and lifts allow you to access both sides of the mountain. Situated next to a large lake means that Falls has unlimited access to water for snowmaking, the result is an impressive cover even in marginal times, in fact many lodges offer a "snow guarantee".
With a wide range of skiing and boarding available Falls Creek has a lot to offer. Both the Village Bowl and the playground region offer excellent beginners skiing while intermediates will revel in the variety of Sun Valley. A dedicated snowboard park can be found near the Summit quad.
The snow season officially opens on the Queen's birthday weekend in June and there can often be plenty of snow right through until October. With the biggest snowmaking system in Victoria, Falls Creek has a reputation for reliable snow.
Occasionally criticised for not having enough advanced skiing this comment is usually made by those who don't know the resort. Access to Wishing Well and Valley of the Moon off the top of the Summit Quad and International Poma provide a large area of usually unexplored skiing. Something a local may tell you about .....
For something different there is always a helicopter flight across to Mount Hotham for a days skiing/boarding!
Offseason
The plains and valleys become a blanket of delicate wildflowers and fish literally jump in the streams and reservoirs, Take advantage of the summer months in Falls Creek and enjoy everything from bushwalking to horseriding, tennis and scenic drives.
The Bogong High Plains Road will also take you to the Rocky Valley Reservoir, the largest and highest manmade lake in Australia which provides good fishing, and boating as well as a variety of other water sports. Another great drive is to Mt McKay, which is the highest spot in Australia accessible by road. At 1849 metres above sea level, it offers some of the best views in the High Country.
Facilities & Activities
A picturesque European style village at the head of the East Kiewa River, Falls Creek boasts some 4000 beds, ranging from luxury to economy style accommodation. Many lodges have saunas, spas and swimming pools, some even have resident masseurs to soothe aching muscles after a hard day on the slopes. And for those who still have not had enough, Falls Creek has introduced night skiing on the Baby Pomas as well as new trails in the Sun Valley area and a new street course for snowboarders near Scotts chairlift.
The budget-conscious would do best to stay in Mount Beauty and travel to Falls Creek for their skiing. Accommodation options in the valley include Mountain Creek Lodge in Tawonga and Janes B&B in Mount Beauty.
The resort also enjoys a reputation for fine eating, with a wide variety of restaurants and bistros from which to choose. In fact, the whole village is designed to serve the visitor. Many of the pubs, restaurants and lodges in Falls Creek stay open in summer: some of the best are The Cock ‘n Bull, a pleasant old-English-style pub on the corner of Christie and Slalom streets, The Man, a cosy pub on Telemark Street, and the Winterhaven Restaurant on Slalom Street. The Pfefferkorn Lodge organizes an excellent summer five-day package trip from Melbourne for small groups of budget travellers ($255). The cost includes transport to and from Melbourne with sightseeing stops en route, four nights’ dorm-style accommodation, and all meals. Optional extras include rafting trips, mountain-bike tours, abseiling and horse-riding.
There’s a wide variety of summer activities from which to choose: Falls Creek Trail Rides (tel 03/5758 3655 or tel 0419/244 773), operating from December to the end of April, has day-rides on the Bogong High Plains, as well as shorter trips; Halleys Comet Quad Chairlift (tel 03/5758 3280) takes bushwalkers to the top of Frying Pan Spur (Dec 26–Jan 26 or 27 daily 11am–3pm, Labour Day weekend same hours, Easter weekend same hours; $8); and nature lovers can join Jill from the Australian Alpine Nursery on one of her Alpine Nature Rambles (tel 03/5758 3492; $15).
From December until the end of March, Bogong Horseback Adventures (tel 03/5754 4849, fax 5754 4181), based on a farm at Tawonga near Mount Beauty and run by an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and well-organized couple, organizes overnight packhorse tours across the high plains, traversing country that is otherwise only accessible to the most experienced and hardy bushwalkers (4 to 5 days; $520–650); from May to November they do half- and full-day rides through the Kiewa Valley and the lower levels of the Alpine National Park.
As for festivals, the entire village of Falls Creek, plus visitors, get together to celebrate the Food, Wine & Wildflower Weekend in mid-January.
For more information on Falls Creek, go to:
Ski Event
- Solomon Cup (July)