A Visit to Another World... Mt Buller

A three-hour drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller has everything you need for the perfect holiday experience. We planned to visit this place on 18^th July 2010. It was exactly three hour run from Melbourne via Mansfield. Only 248 km northeast of Melbourne, Mt Buller is the closest major ski resort to any international airport in Australia.

We started at 10 AM from our place in Ashburton in Melbourne and reached Mirimbah gate, the entry gate at Mt Buller, at around 1 PM. A three-hour run passes through beautiful natural landscapes. Green grassy slopes of hills give a pleasant and soothing look. At Mirimbah gate, you are required to pay an entry fee. If you are going in your vehicle, you must be having wheel chains with you. They can be hired in Mansfield, Merrijig, and Mirimbah (at the base of the mountain just before you come through the resort’s entry gate). You’ll rarely need to use your chains, but it is a must to have them. Only authorized 4WD vehicles are permitted to enter Mt. Buller village. All other cars park in designated parking areas. When you reach the parking area, a free shuttle bus carries you to Mt Buller village.

The Mt Buller Village is situated picturesquely at the heart of the mountain, offering ski-in, ski-out accommodation, and a huge range of bars and restaurants and cafes for you to choose from, offering everything from a fine dining experience to something quick and tasty on the run. We had hot coffee and some snacks over there before going on lifts.

The lift system over there gives you access to over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, with something to appeal to all ability levels. Mt Buller’s lift system can carry up to 40,000 skiers per hour, eight times the number of workers in the Rialto Towers. The resort can handle up to 10,000 skiers or boarders on any given day.

Mt Buller has three terrain parks designed for all skill levels, a half-pipe, and an ultra cross course, with a dedicated snow grooming team to maintain their condition. With a wide range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, there is something to cater to all needs. Over 30 bars and restaurants provide a range of delectable treats, from quick snacks to fine dining and a choice of nightlife options. Mt Buller has more than 7000 on-mountain beds – more than any other Victorian resort. With options from simple hostel accommodation right through to luxury hotel suites, there is something for everyone.

There is an entry ticket to visit this place, so when you plan to go there, you must buy a resort entry and Ski lift passed well in time before going there. Passes and tickets are available online, so it is advisable to book passes timely. Before starting your journey, you must arrange all things you may need in a snow-surrounded environment.

Overall, Mt. Buller has everything to make your trip a wonderful and memorable experience. It’s really another world, just a few steps from this world. It can be your holiday destination again and again. I love this place.