Mount Hotham holidays are popular with locals, and visitors. A trip to Mount Hotham takes four and a half hours from the hectic pace of Melbourne to one of Australia’s favourite ski destinations. Nestled amongst the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, Mount Hotham is Australia’s highest Alpine Village. In fact, it’s the only resort in the Southern Hemisphere where the village is located on top of the mountain.
The views at Hotham are spectacular any time of year! In summer, the snow melts to reveal a host of walking and biking trails through the captivating terrain. A Mount Hotham day trip is a fantastic way to take in the 360-degree panoramas of the rugged mountain ranges. Day visitors love to relax over a meal and a glass of cool climate wine while immersed in the crisp alpine atmosphere.
The major Victorian ski resorts of Mt Hotham, Mount Buller and Falls Creek all have ski runs suitable for beginners to advanced. Having a village sitting near the top of the mountain at 1,750 metres gives Mount Hotham the added feeling of spaciousness, along with spectacular views.
In the mid-1830s, decades before Mount Hotham became a ski destination, European squatters looking for grazing lands moved into the area. In 1851, gold was discovered and attracted many fortune-hunting prospectors who traversed the ranges.
In the 1880s Mount Hotham slowly became known as an excellent place for skiing and other winter activities and tourism began to kick in. In the 1920s, Hotham Heights Chalet was built and in the years that followed came the first ski clubs and lodges.
Mount Hotham tours often include some of the spectacular surrounding areas such as Bright, Mount Beauty, Falls Creek and Dinner Plain.
In the summer months, Mount Hotham comes alive with a rich diversity of over 400 species of flora, some unique to the Australian Alps. Self-guided tours take you past Snow Gums, Mountain Gum, Alpine Ash, Snow Daisy and Horny Snowgrass.
The area is home to over 100 species of indigenous fauna. On a Mount Hotham tour, you may spot native Australian mammals, like the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Black-tailed Wallaby, Common Wombat and Possums such as the Common Ringtail, Brushtail and Mountain Pygmy, once believed to be extinct.
There are Platypus, Short Beaked Echidna and Mainland Dusky Antechinus, as well as several species of rats and bats. Some of the birds that inhabit this alpine region include Kookaburras, Magpies, Crimson Rosellas, Flame Robins, Honeyeaters, Nankeen Kestrels, Superb Lyrebirds, and you may be lucky to see the magnificent Wedge Tail Eagle soaring overhead or spot some resilient reptiles like the She-Oak Skink or Alpine Tree Frog.
The Alpine townships of Bright, Mount Beauty and Harrietville are all situated close to both Mount Hotham and Falls Creek ski resorts. These charming towns are great spots to base yourself when exploring Victoria’s amazing alpine region.
Mount Hotham consistently posts Victoria's highest annual snowfall starting mid-June and continuing through to early September. The average total annual precipitation including snow and rain, is 1494 mm. Temperatures at Mount Hotham range from an average winter minimum of -3.4°C to a of 15.7°C maximum in summer.
Mount Hotham boasts an impressive 320 hectares of ski terrain, with 13 chair lifts, three terrain parks and 35 kilometres of cross-country skiing, as well as an airport for fly-in/fly-out skiing.
There are many activities suitable for all ages and abilities - skis, snowboards, toboggans and sleds as well as dog sled tours, snowmobile rides and plenty more snow adventures.
Every January, the Cool Summer Festival comes to Mount Hotham. It’s the highest independent music festival in Australia with a relaxing, chilled vibe and the best views!
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