The Victorian Alps in summer

Falls Creek Alpine Village
Victoria's most exclusive ski resort
Falls Creek, 29 km south of Mt Beauty via a narrow and winding but scenic road, has a reputation as the state's most exclusive (and expensive) ski resort. It is certainly one of the most popular. It is located 363 km north-east of Melbourne via the Hume Freeway, Wangaratta and the Great Alpine Rd.

Falls Creek village began to emerge on State-Electricity-Commission Land in 1940 and was named after some waterfalls downstream. It is situated 1580 m above sea-level at the edge of the Bogong High Plains, overlooking the Kiewa Valley.

The highest lift point is at an elevation of 1780 metres. There are 23 lifts operating from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily with an uphill capacity of 20 850 per hour. 17% of the slopes are for beginners, 54% are intermediate and 29% are for advanced skiers. The vertical drop is 267 metres and there are 145 hectares of groomed skiing area. Some of the country's best cross-country skiing is available here. Some trails lead around Rocky Valley Reservoir and on to some of the old stockmens' huts which dot the landscape. They are remnants of the days when cattle were driven on to the high plains in the summertime to feed on the fresh pasturage. Other trails lead further afield to the peaks of Spion Kopje to the north, Mt Nelse to the north-east and Mt Cope to the south.

There are innumerable lodges and other accommodation at Falls Creek and it is one of the few resorts where you can ski from your lodge to the lifts and from the slopes back to your accommodation. However, there is little in the way of budget accommodation.

Other infrastructure includes ski and snowboard hire, a ski school, discos, nightclubs, restaurants, supermarkets, cafes, pubs, ski and gear-hire shops and a well-integrated internal transport service that will take you from the carpark to the lodges. Day visitors will find the carpark right next to the ski lifts.

Those who prefer to avoid the hassle of driving on the narrow approach road in icy winter conditions may wish to leave their car at Mt Beauty and take one of the daily coaches (there are also daily coach services from Albury and Melbourne in the ski season).

The ski season opens on the Queen's Birthday weekend in June but the resort is open all year round and draws increasing custom in summer when the views are exceptional, the air is crisp and the wildflowers and snow gums are in bloom. Early January is an ideal time for walking and there are many tracks to explore (see below). Mountain biking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, horseriding, abseiling, archery, camping, environmental studies, orienteering, a ropes course, rafting, fishing, cable gliding, yoga and massage can all be enjoyed.

There is a Food Wine & Wildflowers Weekend in late January and a Classic Music Weekend on the Labour Day weekend in March.

The gate entry fee is $26 per car per day with extra overnight charges during the winter months. Lift tickets are $87 for adults, $74 for high school students and $45 for children under 14 and they are interchangeable with those from Mount Hotham. For adults a five day lift pass in 2006 is $392.00. To be safe ring 1800 033 079 and they have all the costs and details.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
There are many possibilities for entertaining oneself at Falls Creek, many of which are listed in the general introduction. For bookings, information and kits ring free-call (1800) 033 079.

Walks
The Australian Alps Walking Track (655 km) crosses the Bogong High Plains Rd about 10 km south of Falls Creek (this section of road is closed in the winter).

There are many shorter walks in the area which start from different locations. The destinations include Mt Nelse (9 km return), Wallace's Hut (1.5 km return), Cope Hut (1 km return), the Wallace/Cope Hut circuit walk (6 km return), the Wallace Hut/Langfords Gap Circuit (8 km return), Mount Cope (1.5 hours return), Ruined Castle (6 km return), Fitzgerald and Kelly Huts (11 km return), Tawonga Huts, Howmans Gap, and Roper's Lookout (5 km return) which offers excellent views over the village.

Self-sufficiency and a precautionary approach are essential for walking in the area as it is prone to extremes of weather. Always notify rangers and friends of your itinerary, park your car on a roadside and advise others of its registration number, always carry a tent and camping gear as you cannot rely on finding a hut (and they may be occupied when you arrive), be sure you apply blockout cream and bring the best possible map, warm clothing, blankets, plenty of water and energy food.

Pretty Valley and Rocky Valley Reservoir
2 km south of Falls Creek is a T-intersection. Turn right and it is 6 km to Pretty Valley where there is another pondage and a picnic area with tables and a fireplace

Turn left and you will see, almost immediately, Rocky Valley Reservoir, a popular spot for fishing and boating in the summer. There are picnic tables.

Camping Areas
Further south on the road are the Langford West, Raspberry Hill and Faithfull camping areas. All three have toilets and fireplaces. The first has water and the last has a picnic area.

	Tourist Information
	Falls Creek & Bogong High Plains Tourist Centre & Gallery Snowland Centre Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: 1800 033 079
	Motels
	Falls Creek Motel Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3282 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Falls Creek Country Club Hotel Bogong High Plain Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3391
	Sundance Inn Alpine Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3391
	The Man Hotel Telemark St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3362
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Astra Guesthouse Sitzmark St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3496 Rating: ****
	Cedarwood Alpine Lodge Guesthouse 5 Schuss St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 9525 5777 or (03) 5758 3393 Rating: ***
	Cooroona Lodge Guesthouse Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3244 Rating: ***
	Diana Lodge Guesthouse Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3214 Rating: ***
	Feathertop Lodge Guesthouse Parallel St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3232 Rating: ***
	Julians Guesthouse 10 Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3211 Rating: ***
	Karelia Alpine Lodge Guesthouse Parallel St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3278 Facsimile: (03) 5758 3644 Rating: ****
	Lakeside Lodge Guesthouse Schuss St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 9888 5477 Rating: ***
	SCV Nelse Guesthouse Cnr Slalom & Arlberg Sts Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3263 Rating: ***
	Silver Ski Lodge Guesthouse Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3375 Rating: ***
	Snowdrift Lodge Guesthouse 91 Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3303 Rating: ***
	Apartments
	Falls Creek Country Club Apartments Bogong High Plains Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3391 Rating: ***
	Kilimajaro Apartments 54 Arlberg St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3242 Rating: ***
	Koki Alpine Holiday Apartments Arlberg St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3272 Rating: ***
	Naarilla Alpine Holiday Apartments Parallel St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3231 Rating: **
	Snow Crystal Inn Holiday Apartments 28 Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3356 Rating: ***
	Winterhaven Lodge Holiday Apartments Cnr Falls Creek Rd & Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3243 Rating: ***
	Lodges & Chalets
	Attunga Alpine Lodge 49 Arlberg St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3255 Rating: ****
	Halleys Lodge 46 Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3363 Rating: **
	Trackers Mountain Lodge 88 Schuss St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3346 Rating: ***
	Viking Alpine Lodge 72 Parallel St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3247
	Restaurants
	Alpine View Restaurant Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3206
	Astra Guest House Sitzmark St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3496
	Attunga Alpine Lodge 49 Arlberg St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3255
	Cafe Maximum Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3347
	Cedarwood Alpine Lodge Guesthouse 5 Schuss St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 9525 5777 or (03) 5758 3393
	Cooroona Lodge Guesthouse Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3244
	Diana Lodge Guesthouse Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3214
	Falls Creek Country Club Bogong High Plains Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3391
	Falls Creek Motel Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3282
	Feathertop Lodge Guesthouse Parallel St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3232
	Halleys Lodge 46 Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3363
	J.B.'s Public Bar & Restaruant 9 Parallel St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3278 Facsimile: (03) 5758 3644
	Julians Guesthouse 10 Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3211
	Kilimajaro Apartments 54 Arlberg St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3242
	Koki Alpine Holiday Apartments Arlberg St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3272
	Lakeside Lodge Guesthouse Schuss St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 9888 5477
	Maddisons Restaurant Bogong High Plains Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3999
	Naarilla Alpine Holiday Apartments Parallel St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3231
	SCV Nelse Guesthouse Cnr Slalom & Arlberg Sts Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3263
	Silver Ski Lodge Restaurant 14 Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3375
	Snow Crystal Inn Holiday Apartments 28 Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3356
	Snowdrift Lodge Guesthouse 91 Falls Creek Rd Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3303
	Trackers Mountain Lodge 88 Schuss St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3346
	Viking Alpine Lodge 72 Parallel St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3247
	Winterhaven Restaurant Cnr Falls Creek Rd & Slalom St Falls Creek VIC 3699 Telephone: (03) 5758 3888