Hopefully your interest since our first Australian Ski Classics Challengers was announced a few weeks ago has been perked! We are back with a follow up of Exploring Down Under. Take a look at Part 1 if you missed it, Part 2 is some of the extracurricular activities you can do around your skiing holiday down under.

Skiing in Australia is certainly unique, the skiable snow is localised in the south-east corner of Australia. Popular to contrary belief there is more skiable snow in Australia than in Switzerland. However, the skiing destinations are a little remote from the big cities as mentioned in Part 1. In the lower alpine area, the terrain is filled with a forest of Snow Gum trees, the trees have a unique tortured and twisted appearance due to the harsh elements. In the higher altitudes above the tree line, rather than the spectacular peaks you see in Europe, there are seemingly endless rolling ranges perfect for spring crust skiing.

Also Read: Exploring Down Under: A Comprehensive XC Skiing Guide

Now I am sure Kangaroos, wombats and Koalas are on most people’s bucket list of things to see in Australia. Well, you would be in luck, and you don’t even need a zoo to see an abundance of the Australian wildlife. Don’t worry about the tale of excessive dangerous animals roaming Australia, they are mostly in the North and only come out in summer.

This reminds me of a time when I was mountain biking in Australia, and a wombat decided to race me down a hill (they are fast little devils), when he made a sharp right hand turn straight into my wheel, while I was sent flying over the handlebars. No worries the wombat was just fine, they are built like a brick wall, and well I was left laughing in the mud. A similar story happened with me once again on a bike seemingly racing a pack of kangaroos on a downhill, it once again involved me hitting the deck! You can’t miss the wildlife even if you tried!

Some hotspots for Kangaroos while you are visiting the Kangaroo Hoppet would be the Mount Beauty Golf Club, they enjoy the winter mornings there basking in the sun while the frosted grass melts around them, you really can’t miss them.

Wombats are mostly found at night, beware at night while driving, it seems like they love to cross the road right when a car is coming. Koalas are a little trickier to find, but don’t be alarmed when you hear them, they make a strange growling sound. Head to some eucalyptus trees and look up, that will be your best bet.

If you take a trip up to Perisher in NSW for some skiing, while driving the long and winding Alpine Way there is high chance you will see groups of wild horses, which we call Brumby’s. Along with the Brumby’s you will regularly see a group of Emu’s grazing the grass alongside the horses.

To see more wildlife, I recommend some famous wildlife sanctuaries:

• Healesville Sanctuary: One of the best to see all sorts of native animals with a chance to get up close.
• Melbourne Zoo: A regular zoo with a twist of Australian animals.
• Penguin Parade, Phillip Island: Visit the Fairy penguins up close and personal on the coastline of Phillip Island.

Other activities to do on your visit:

• Mountain biking in many areas of Victoria, particularly at the base of ski resorts.
• Horse riding in Mount Beauty
• A visit to the MCG to watch a game of Australian Rules Football (AFL)

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