There are a plethora of places to enjoy snow in Australia and some of the major destinations incorporate the peaks of the Australian Alps like Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Buller, Selwyn, and Mt Baw Baw. Australia’s ski resorts receive their fair share of skiers and snowboarders each winter season that is from June to August, but these sparkling white landscapes offer a much broader range of snow-themed activities for those looking for adventure, fun, or relaxation. Outside of the Snowy Mountains, you can also find a winter wonderland in Tasmania, where wildlife can be spotted in the snow in Australia, or in the Blue Mountains where you can curl up in front of the fire to celebrate Yulefest.
Let’s discover some of our favorite places to enjoy Australia’s snow season.
Snowmobiling
An exciting way to see the best of Australia’s spectacular winter landscapes is via snowmobile. At Falls Creek you can do a snowmobile tour with one adult driver and one passenger per vehicle. Tours explore the backcountry of the high plains, which present magnificent views of the surrounding ranges. If kids want their very own snowmobile experience, Mt Hotham offers children from 5-14 years old a chance of riding their own kid-sized vehicle. These miniature snowmobiles are guaranteed fun for the 15-minute rides around Snow Stuff Park.
Dog Sledding
The thrill of being pulled through a sparkling white landscape by a team of Siberian Huskies is unparalleled. Snuggle up under layers of thick blankets while the dogs run ahead through the snow. Howling Huskies dog sled tours at Mt Hotham range from 30 minutes to just over an hour and will take you through the pristine wilderness of Alpine National Park. All tours include 15 minutes of cuddles with a friendly team of dogs. Tours at Mt Baw Baw range from 30 minutes to five hours and take you through various backcountry trails. For a special treat, choose a sunset tour where you’ll be handed a glass of wine to watch the sunset harmoniously over the blanketed white mountain tops. You can also get an opportunity of driving the sled with a hands-on introduction to handling a team of huskies.
Tobogganing
A toboggan is a small sled used for sliding down slopes, and they are a classic way to enjoy the snow in Australia. Alpine parks with toboggan facilities include Selwyn Snow Resort in New South Wales, and Mt Buller, Mt Baw Baw, and Falls Creek in Victoria. These parks have dedicated slopes in their snow play areas where you can rent a toboggan for unlimited fun.
Tubing
Fun for all ages, tubing is one of the most exciting winter activities. There are tube parks at Falls Creek, Perisher, and Selwyn where you can purchase single rides or bulk rides, or get timed use of the tubes. Once you have your inflatable donut, get ready to slide, spin, or bounce your way downhill.
Wildlife Spotting
Winter is a great chance to spot some of Australia’s native wildlife as they roam the land even in the cooler conditions, and the place to do so is at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. Its snow-capped peaks and snow-frolicking wombats are an awesome sight synonymous with winter in Tasmania. Adventure seekers can take in the wildlife lovingly by lacing up their hiking boots and setting foot on the Overland Track. Ben Lomond National Park is Tasmania’s premier ski resort and another coldspot for sighting Bennett’s wallabies and wombats. They are both frequently seen in the ski village, even under blizzard conditions.
Alpine Glamping
Mt Hotham offers a wilderness retreat with a difference. After snowshoeing through the gum trees to your isolated camping location, you’ll be presented with a cheese fondue on arrival before spending the night in a luxury snow-dome tent complete with a wood fire to keep you cozy. Cover yourself in the layers of thick blankets provided to you then wake up to the sounds of nature and hopefully the dustings of a fresh snowfall. A weekend in the alps doesn’t get more romantic than this.
Winter Festivals
Australia’s colder destinations come alive in winter, with an array of festivals taking place over the snow season. Peak Festival at Perisher is the only music festival in the Snowy Mountains, and it kicks off every June at the beginning of the ski season. It includes four days of music with some of Australia’s best artists, and tickets include unlimited chairlift rides and one evening of free night skiing. Other wonderful winter festivals around Australia include Yulefest in the Blue Mountains, DARK MOFO in Hobart, Winter Wonderlights in Sovereign Hill, and Bathurst Winter Festival in Bathurst. While these destinations aren’t guaranteed to get snow, they celebrate the colder months with various winter-themed festivities including special art installations, music and entertainment, and Christmas in July decorations.
