Best places for snowplay in Alpine region

Cross country skiing at Baw Baw National Park

Snowplay at Mt Buffalo National Park

Cross country skiing at Lake Mountain

Snowplay at Mt St-Gwinear
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    Best places for snowplay in Alpine region

    Whether you’re ready to give snowshoeing a try, slide down a toboggan run or just build a snowman, you’ll find the best places right here to begin planning your winter getaway. Explore the stunning Alpine region of Victoria and have fun in the snow!

    1. Mount Buffalo National Park
    Mount Buffalo National Park is a family-friendly, easily accessible mountain with tobogganing and snow play in two separate areas both with free entry and free car parking. Dingo Dell features a toboggan slope and ample room for snow play. There’s also a café and visitor centre with changing rooms, toilets and plenty of indoor seating from which to see the slopes. The café is open 10am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday (Monday and Tuesday during peak times). Cresta Valley is located 3km further up the Mount Buffalo Tourist Road and offers more diverse terrain and more space for tobogganing and snow play. Cross country skiers can explore 14km of marked cross-country trails.
    Licensed tour operators at Mount Buffalo offer many winter snow experiences, including cross-country ski lessons and guided snow shoe walks. Toboggans can be hired at Dingo Dell. If you plan on bringing your own toboggan, remember that only plastic moulded toboggans are allowed on the runs.

    Getting there: Mount Buffalo is 325km northeast from Melbourne along the Hume Highway. Either take the Snow Road exit just before Wangaratta or continue along the highway to the Great Alpine Road (B500) exit. Mount Buffalo is about a 45min drive from popular tourist town Bright.

    2. Mount St Gwinear; Baw Baw National Park
    Mount St Gwinear offers a family-friendly snow experience with free entry for tobogganing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The snow play area at Mount St Gwinear is an ideal introduction for newcomers, and subject to snow conditions the area is open daily during winter school holidays. There is a large free car park with toilets, warm shelter room, a food van with hot drinks and snacks (on weekends and school holidays) and toboggan hire ($4 p/hr with a $10 refundable deposit; cash only). If you plan on bringing your own toboggan, remember that only plastic moulded toboggans are allowed on the runs.
    Ever tried snowshoeing? You can go snowshoeing along the Winter Walking Track that starts at the St Gwinear carpark leading to a lookout (1.2km return). For cross-country skiers, you can explore the 12km of cross-country trails starting with Main Trail that starts at the carpark. There is a loop that visitors can undertake accessing these 4 other trails: Cascades Trail, Saints Trail, Tullicoutty Trail and Gwinear Trail.

    Getting there: Mount St Gwinear is 120km east of Melbourne. It is easily accessible from the Latrobe Valley, only 45 minutes' drive from Moe or Traralgon in West Gippsland. The main access to the plateau is from the Mount Erica and St Gwinear carparks along signposted roads off the Thomson Valley Road, north of Erica.

    3. Mount Donna Buang; Yarra Ranges National Park
    Mount Donna Buang is spectacular at any time of the year. As the snow begins to fall it transforms into a wonderful winter playground. Less than two-hour’s drive from Melbourne, Mount Donna Buang is one of the closest and most popular mountains for a day trip to the snow. There are three toboggan runs, a designated snow play area, barbeques, car parking, toilets and a scenic drive up to the summit. Only plastic toboggans are allowed on the summit, due to safety reasons. Skis, snowboards and non-plastic toboggans are not permitted. Toboggan hire is generally available at the summit. However, no other equipment or clothing hire is available. The summit has an elevation of 1,245m and offers panoramic views over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Mount Baw Baw and the Alpine region.

    Getting there:     Mount Donna Buang is 94km from Melbourne near the town of Warburton.
    There are of course a number of other snow destinations in Victoria including Lake Mountain, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek. However, these snow areas are not managed by Parks Victoria.


    When you're there

    Visitor Safety Tips: Things to know before you go 

    • Visitors could encounter hazards when visiting parks in winter, including unstable snow, steep icy slopes, cornice formations and extreme weather.
    • Visitors need to be prepared and experienced for snow and cold temperatures. Take appropriate clothing to keep you warm and dry, including: gloves, beanies, waterproof clothing and shoes.
    • Make sure your vehicle is capable of driving in snow. Hire snow chains from towns close by to the alpine destination and fit them where signage indicates. Drive appropriately for the conditions.
    • Roads and carparks will have snow and ice on them which may not be visible to the naked eye so please observe road signage
    • Those engaging in remote back country activities need to be mindful of the risks and hazards in the area. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding especially are inherently dangerous activities that require experience and knowledge of the terrain and conditions. Avalanches have occurred in recent years at Mt Bogong and sadly people have died. It is important to plan before you go and observe all warning signs.
    • Safety is a personal responsibility.

    Parks Victoria is a safety-first organisation focused on protecting park visitors while providing world-class nature-based experiences.

     

    Need to know

    Best places for snowplay in Alpine region

    Change of Conditions

    Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

      Mt Donna Buang is closed until further notice

      In response to advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer about COVID-19, Mt Donna Buang is closed until further notice.  For more information, please visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/covid19

      Winter 2020 at Dingo Dell & Cresta Valley

      This winter with restrictions caused by COVID19 there will be systems in place during anticipated busy periods, such as the school holidays and weekends, to ensure the safety of staff and visitors and compliance of restrictions.

      At these busy times, Parks Victoria staff will limit the number of visitors permitted into the park at any one time. Once capacity is met, entry to the park will be temporarily halted. Vehicles will be permitted to enter as other vehicles leave. Parks Victoria staff will be at the park entry to advise visitors. A message sign at the roundabout at Porepunkah will show the current entry conditions and any expected delays.

       Indoor shelter will not be available during school holidays and weekends, and will not be guaranteed at other times.


    Snowplay and explore nature in Winter

    Hit the Alpine region for cross country skiing, tobogganing and snow shoeing during Winter or for a less frosty nature escape, visit historic sites, learn about Aboriginal culture or simply take a road trip over a long weekend spending two to three nights in regional Victoria.
    An experienced cross-country skier skis past a small child learning to ski on a maintained path.

    Skiing and snow play

    Stomp, ski, snowshoe or toboggan in Victoria's alpine region with snow season spanning from mid June to September each year.
    A couple take a tour of Spermwhale Head with traditional owners from the Gurnaikurnai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation.

    Aboriginal heritage

    Learn more about the culture, history and contemporary aspirations of the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of our land.
    A mother, father and their two young daughts gaze out at the sea from the lookout point of the lighthouse.

    Historic sites

    Journey back in time and visit some of the historic buildings of post European settlement in Australia, including huts, mansions and lighthouses.
    A boy crouches at the waters panning for gold in a river.

    Goldpanning

    Many of the world’s largest gold nuggets have been found in the Golden Triangle of central Victoria - try your luck at fossicking.
    A picturesque photo of the stone hut near the Horn at Mt Buffalo.

    Mount Buffalo National Park

    Sheer cliffs, granite tors, waterfalls and big views make Mount Buffalo a must-see alpine retreat
    A family plays in the snow at Mt St-Gwinear in the Baw Baw National Park.

    Mount St Gwinear

    Mount St Gwinear is a family-friendly snow attraction with free entry which offers toboggan runs, cross country trails, a snowplay area and a heated shelter room. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available from a food van on weekends and school holidays.
    A family take in the view of the Yarra Ranges from the elevated platform at Mt Donna Buang.

    Mount Donna Buang

    At an elevation of 1245 metres, the summit features a lookout tower which is 21 metres high and offers panoramic views over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Dandenong and Cathedral Ranges, Mount Baw Baw and the Alps. It is also a popular picnic area and starting point for walks on the mountain.
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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