Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

THE HIGH COUNTRY 583
FALLS CREEK
375km (233 miles) NE of Melbourne
One of Victoria’s best ski resorts, and my favorite, Falls Creek is situated on the
edge of the Bogong High Plains overlooking the Kiewa Valley. This compact
alpine village is the only one in Australia where you can ski from your lodge to the
lifts and back again from the ski slopes. The nightlife is also very good in the ski
season, with plenty of party options as well as a range of walk-in lodge restaurants.
The ski fields are split into two parts, the Village Bowl and Sun Valley, with
17 lifts covering more than 90 trails. There are plenty of intermediate and
advanced runs, as well as a sprinkling for beginners. You’ll also find some of Australia’s
best cross-country skiing here; Australia’s major cross-country skiing
event, the Kangaroo Hoppet, is held here on the last Saturday in August every
year. Entry to the resort costs A$6 (US$3.90). Full-day lift tickets cost from
A$59 to A$75 (US$38–$49) for adults and A$33 to A$39 (US$21–$25) for
children, depending on the time you ski. (July 31–Aug 31 is the most expensive
time, and June and after mid-Sept is the cheapest.) Combined lift and ski lesson
tickets are also available. Call the Falls Creek Ski Lifts (& 03/5758 3280) for
details. The ski lifts can also organize accommodations options.
Falls Creek is also a pleasant place to visit in summer, when you can go bushwalking,
horseback riding, and trout fishing. Angling Expeditions (&/fax 03/
5754 1466) is the best option for fly-fishing for trout in the alpine area during
spring, summer, and fall. Trips last from 3 hours to all day and are suitable for
everyone from beginners to experts. Overnight trips are also available. Horseback
riding operators include Falls Creek Trail Rides (& 03/5758 3655) and Bogong
Horseback Adventures (& 03/5754 4849).
GETTING THERE Pyles Coaches (& 03/5754 4024) runs buses to the ski
resort from Melbourne every day during the ski season (from the end of June to
the end of Sept), departing Melbourne at 9am and Falls Creek at 5pm. The
round-trip fare is A$100 (US$65) for adults and A$75 (US$49) for children and
includes the resort entrance fee. The company also runs shuttle buses to and
from Albury just over the border in New South Wales (accessible by train from
Sydney), and between Mt. Beauty and Falls Creek. Bookings are essential.
If you’re driving from Melbourne take the Hume Highway to Wangaratta,
and then through Myrtleford and Mt. Beauty to Falls Creek. The trip takes
around 4 1 ⁄2 hours. From Sydney take the Hume Highway to Albury-Wodonga
and follow the signs to Mt. Beauty and the snowfields. If you arrive in the ski
season, a resort worker will direct you to a parking lot, and bring you back to
the resort entrance, from where you can take a caterpillar-tracked “troop-carrier”
to your hotel, or attempt the short but (probably) slippery walk yourself.
VISITOR INFORMATION The Falls Creek Information Centre, 1 Bogong
High Plains Rd., Falls Creek, VIC 3649 (& 03/5758 3490), is open daily from
8am to 5pm. Buy lift tickets in the booth next door, between mid-June and
October.
Where to Stay & Dine
Falls Creek is a year-round resort, with a good range of accommodations available,
though it tends to fill up fast during the ski season. As you might expect
room rates are much higher during the ski season. The Falls Creek Reservation
Centre (& 1800/453 525 in Australia, or 03/5758 3100; fax 03/5758 3337;
www.fallscreek.net) can tell you what deals are on offer and can book rooms for
you. The cheapest winter option is the very basic Frying Pan Inn, P.O. Box 55,