Beginning Winter Hike Recommendations

[ReubenVE]

Hi everyone,

My partner and I will be visiting Melbourne in early July and are looking to do a bit of winter hiking. We have hiking experience, but no winter/snow experience so are looking for a safe hike to build experience in winter conditions. Any recommendations for 1-2 night hikes in the region? The closer the melbourne the better but not opposed to a bit of a drive. I think Mount Baw Baw seems like a good option for some snow hiking if weather is good.

Thanks!

[Baeng72]

The Alpine resorts will soon be off limits to non-paying public (King's B'day).
I think you're onto a good idea with to go to the Baw Baw area. Mt Baw Baw is an Alpine resort, so you'd need to pay to enter, but it's part of a large plateau with various named bumps that are open all year.
If you head to Mt. St. Gwinear instead, you can snow camp (assuming snow), hike about and not be far from a quick retreat to the carpark.

A bit longer drive would be to Mt. Buller area, I think there are places near the resorts, outside the Buller and Stirling resort boundaries (Mt. No 3 I think is reachable from Carter's road if I remember and if there's been a big snow dump would have snow there).
Further away, the Mt. Buffalo area might have snow, and while the Bogong High Plains would be great, it's further away again and you have to pay to get to Falls Creek resort.

There is a cross country resort at Lake Mountain, which is closer, and assuming snow would be OK, but you have to pay for entry/transport.
If one were into a bit of sneaky camping, and there's been heavy snow down to lower altitudes, one could park at Mt. Donna Buang carpark, and might be good walking and camping. (I didn't say this, this message will self destruct within 5 seconds of reading).

[Xplora]

Welcome to the forum Reuben. Getting snow at the lower resorts will be the issue and access will be the issue elsewhere. If you don't mind paying for parking Stirling is not too far from Melbourne and can offer reasonable conditions for walking. Baw Baw would also be nice if there is a good low dump but there will be parking fees also if you go to the resort. There are ways to gain access without paying for resort parking but that might be vehicle dependent and will cost some time. Personally I would consider parking part of the holiday budget and suck it up. See here for Mt. Stirling entry prices https://www.mtstirling.com.au/plan/reso ... y-pricing/ If you go Sunday to Thurs nights it is actually quite reasonable.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

+1 for Mt. Stirling
for snow newbies.
You can rent snow shoes on the mountain. You will need to rent wheel chains before you drive to the toll booth at Mirimbah.
Staff at the toll booth will ask to see them esp. you are driving a 2 WD car.
You can have a XC ski lesson at Mt. Stirling too.
Book your entry pass online and save money and time. Print it out in a hard copy.

Often you will need to trek up to 1600 M. ASL to find snow in Victoria. Mt. Stirling can be a case
of that but after a low dump of snow it is a special place
with snow from the car park onwards.
The Mt. Stirling huts have firewood that are restocked on a regular basis. The ski patrol are never far away if you require urgent assistance.
I would not recommend newbies to snow trekking and snow camping to go on a back country trip on the first or second outing.

Look up Keppel's hut for another winter walking idea close to Melb..The Track from Keppel's hut to the Lake Mtn. ski trails was cleared by heavy machinery recently.
I walked it in
April 2024 and I was impressed by the job they did.
Mt. Torbreck is an adventure in the snow .

Yes there are plenty of options for snow close to Melbourne if conditions permit , which require no parking fee .
Carter's road and Mt. No. 3 Refuge Hut is a good one
( see the trip report )
https://www.ski.com.au/xf/threads/mt-no ... 021.90175/

but unless you know what you are getting yourself into then I would stick with Mt. Stiring.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

https://www.ski.com.au/xf/threads/mt-er ... -17.79140/
Mt. Erica in the snow.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

https://www.ski.com.au/xf/threads/mt-to ... -16.75707/
Mt. Torbreck in the snow.