Newcastle Airport offers direct flights to both Canberra and Melbourne, so you can take your pick of the NSW or Victorian snow fields for your next action-packed winter adventure.
Just a short drive from the snowy mountains, Canberra is the gateway to several alpine areas and ski resorts in NSW’s Kosciusko National Park. Whether you’re into skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, or tobogganing, the NSW snow fields have something for everyone!
Perisher
If you’re serious about your skiing, Perisher is the ultimate destination for your winter holiday. The largest alpine resort in the Southern Hemisphere has terrain to suit all abilities, plus a toboggan area for kids. The large range of on-snow accommodation plus pubs, restaurants, cafes, and cosy bars will make you feel like you’ve arrived in a winter wonderland.
Thredbo
If a picturesque Alpine village setting is what you’re looking for in a snow holiday, Thredbo is where it’s at. Not only is the ski resort home to the longest ski run in Australia, but Thredbo Village also offers beautiful accommodation lodges right on or near the snow. When you’ve finished carving up the slopes, explore Thredbo village with its boutique shops, cafes and restaurants.
Charlotte Pass
Charlotte Pass is the oldest and highest ski resort in Australia, a three-hour drive from Canberra. It’s the coldest location in the country due to its elevation and close proximity to Mount Kosciuszko, which also means it receives more natural snow than any other Australian resort. The resort features 50 hectares of skiable terrain and offers a truly unique snow experience with no cars, no crowds, and no long lift queues.
Corin Forest
Looking for something a little closer to Canberra? You don’t have to travel far to hit the slopes with Corin Forest just 45 minutes from the city centre. The commercial ski field and tourist destination has gentle slopes perfect for families and beginners. Learn the basics of snowboarding, hit the runs on a toboggan, or build a snowman all before heading inside to the cosy cafe to enjoy some woodfired pizza.
Other popular NSW snow fields include Mt Blue Calf and Smiggin Holes. See Visit NSW for more information on skiing and snowboarding in NSW.
Fly to Canberra with FlyPelican or Link Airways.
The Victorian Alps, also known locally as the High Country, offer stunning vistas and some of the best snow fields in Australia for skiing, snowboarding and action-packed winter activities. With so many options just a few hours’ drive from Melbourne, a visit to the Victorian Alps should be a bucket list item this winter!
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is Melbourne’s closest snow field, just over two hours from the CBD. Offering cross country skiing, tobogganing and snow tours, there’s over 35km of trails to be explored. When you’ve had enough of the slopes, enjoy a range of fun activities including laser skirmish, tube running and flying fox. There’s no accommodation on site, however plenty of options nearby.
Mount Baw Baw
Mount Baw Baw is the closest downhill ski area to Melbourne making it a popular destination for day-trippers and families. Just two and a half hours from Melbourne, the sheltered slopes of Mt Baw Baw offer an intimate village feel with ski runs for all levels. The alpine resort also offers unique activities you won’t find anywhere else like Japanese snow fighting, winter dingo walking, and husky sledding.
Mt Buller
Three hours out of Melbourne, Mt Buller is one of Victoria’s better known ski resorts - an alpine wonderland nestled high on the ski fields with quaint lodges and luxury hotels. Mount Buller has the largest lift network in Victoria, offering easy access to the 300 hectares of snowfields and the mountain’s longest run at 2.5km. Loads of facilities can be found in the village square at the centre of the resort including bars and restaurants, great nightlife, and medical services.
Mt Hotham
Some of the best ski and snowboarding in the country can be found at Mt Hotham in the heart of the Victorian Alps. The resort has a good mix of terrain with steep and exhilarating slopes for the more experienced, or easy gentle slopes for beginners. It’s also the only snow resort with its own airport, so you can jump on a connecting flight from Melbourne Airport if you’re not up for the four-hour drive. There’s plenty of accommodation in the alpine village, which is the second highest resort village in Australia after Charlotte Pass in NSW.
Other popular Victorian snow fields include Falls Creek and Dinner Plain. See Visit Melbourne for more information on skiing and snowboarding in Victoria.
Newcastle Airport is the gateway to Australia’s largest regional economy, with more than $43 billion annual output and 48,500 businesses. Jointly owned by City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council, we are governed by an independent, skills-based Board of Directors.