With the exciting addition of the first Ski Classic Challengers event held this August in Australia, the Kangaroo Hoppet, there’s never been a better time to consider Australia for your next skiing adventure. Check out our guide – part 1.

Whether you’ve beach vacationed in Australia, or you are dreaming of your first journey to the Land Down Under, our comprehensive guide aims to provide valuable insights and tips to make your experience unforgettable.

Read More: Kangaroo Hoppet – The first Ski Classic Challengers event in Australia

Before we delve into the details, it’s worth noting that my perspective may carry a bias, having been born and raised in Australia.

However, this firsthand experience has given me with a deep understanding and passion for Australia and the skiing it has to offer, making me your ideal companion for this virtual guide. It is also important to note that this guide will mainly focus on Falls Creek and surrounds, however there are many XC Ski locations in Australia. Some other notable locations are Mount Hotham (Victoria) and Perisher (NSW).

We start off this guide series with a brief schedule of August’s skiing related events down under, (See Snow Australia’s Website for a full race calendar):

• Saturday 17^th & 18^th August – COC Australian National Championships, Skate Sprint & 10km Classic. (Perisher, NSW)
• Saturday August 24^th – The big event! 42km The Kangaroo Hoppet. (Falls Creek, Victoria)
• Saturday August 31^st – 42km  Merino Muster. (New Zealand)

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Getting There

While the flight to Australia might seem daunting, it’s surprisingly manageable. If you’re flying from Europe, expect on average two flights totalling about 24-hours, such as Munich to Dubai and then Dubai to Melbourne, for example. North American travellers can also plan for a journey of similar duration.

When planning your flight to Australia, fly into either Melbourne or Sydney. While the Kangaroo Hoppet is up in Falls Creek, getting there from major airports requires a decent drive. You may also consider flying into Albury Airport for a closer option, though it might cost a bit more.

Renting a car is your best bet for getting around Australia; while there are buses and trains to Falls Creek from Melbourne, they’re not as convenient or cost effective as you might expect.

• Melbourne to Falls Creek: A 4.5-hour drive.
• Sydney to Falls Creek: Approximately 7 hours’ drive.
• Albury to Falls Creek: 2-hour drive.

Where to Stay

Falls Creek is a “Ski in, Ski Out” alpine centred village, nestled amongst the Australian Alps, at the altitude of between 1500m to 1830m (See Falls Creeks Website for more on Falls Creek).

Falls Creek is a compact alpine village with a variety of accommodation, bars, and restaurants. As August is the busiest month, advance booking is crucial, especially if you plan to be there for the Kangaroo Hoppet as it is the busiest day of the year for Falls Creek and surrounds.

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If you prefer a quieter retreat, consider Mount Beauty, a small town located 30 km away from Falls Creek. Known for its stunning views of Mount Bogong and extensive mountain biking trails, Mount Beauty caters to both locals and holidaymakers. While the drive to the slopes may be longer, Mount Beauty offers warmer temperatures (think skiing in the morning and mountain biking in a t-shirt in the afternoon) and more affordable accommodations during peak skiing periods at Falls Creek.

Here is a small sample of suggestions for accommodation, whether you prefer staying on or off the mountain. Additionally, options like Airbnb, Alpine Apartments Mountain Multiservice, or Falls Creek’s official website offer a variety of choices to suit every preference and budget:

Budget:

• Howmans Gap, YMCA. 4.9km from Falls Creek
• The Park, Mount Beauty 31km from Falls Creek

Upscale

• Elk, Falls Creek Village
• St Falls, Falls Creek Village
• Huski, Falls Creek

On the next article in the series “Exploring Down Under” we will explore “What to See,” “What to do” and any extra information you might need to make your trip down to our latest Ski Classics Challengers enjoyable.

Are you interested in Ski Classics and long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more.