Spending the weekend in Mount Buller? Here’s the best way you can maximise your time…

The journey from Melbourne is about three hours, making Mount Buller the ultimate snow spot just a short drive from the city.

We recommend leaving early in the morning, so that you can maximise the time you spend on the mountain and make the most out of your lift pass. With plenty of activities at the Mount Buller Alpine Village, you’ll pack in lots of fun activities into 2 days.

Morning: Start driving, and take a break in Mansfield

Take time to grab a bite to eat in Mansfield. It is the last big town before you get to Mount Buller.

There are plenty of coffee places in Mansfield, and you’ll be able to fuel up your body (and maybe your vehicle) before your day at Mount Buller. If you’re travelling from Melbourne to Mount Buller for a snow trip, then it’ll take around 3 hours. As the bus journeys onwards, the snowy landscapes of Mount Buller continue to get snowier.

Check in, hire gear

Credit: Visit Victoria

Check in, hire the gear, and get all the ‘mountain admin’ bits done before you can start enjoying the slopes. In terms of accommodation, there are heaps of different places to go and stay around Mount Buller. Explore the different accommodation options that range from hostels to 5* mountain lodges.

The more affordable options are the self-contained ski lodges that offer shared communal kitchens for those who want no-frills mountain accomodation. For a more bougie style of accommodation, check out the lavish mountain lodges all set with cosy furnishings. With European-inspired lodges, with Austrian-themed interiors, you’ll get a warm welcome after your time on the slopes. Splash out on a hot tub and

Warming up: Little Buller Spur and the Summit Run

Get yourself on some intermediate runs – these being Little Buller Spur and the Summit. These runs aren’t too steep, but if you have some experience on the snow then you’ll be able to pick it up pretty easily. Beginners on the snow should check out Bourke Street.

Afternoon/Evening: Après Ski

Credit: Visit Victoria

Dine out at one of the mountain restaurants for an after-snow meal. Skiing and snowboarding is a real workout, so you might want to get yourself some decent food to refuel. Getting a hearty feed means you’ll have energy to ski or snowboard the next day. For something a bit fancier, check out Drake’s Restaurant at Duck Inn.

Day 2

Breakfast on Mount Buller

There are so many places to get brekky on Mount Buller! Go to The Villager, or The Whitt, or the Black Cockatoo Restaurant for a yummy breakfast before a big day on the trails.

Morning/Afternoon runs

On your second day, you’ll have the whole day to whizz around on the slopes! There are 85 trails on Mount Buller to explore. Bourke Street is the most popular run, so it can be a bit more crowded. Grimus is another great run for intermediate skiers.

The first section is quite steep, then it levels out into a gentler run at the end – continuing the thrill but being slow enough to allow you some stopping room.

National Alpine Museum of Australia and sculpture park walk

If you want to mix it up a little, get yourself to the National Alpine Museum of Australia. Or take a walk around the Sculpture Park. Open all year, the Sculpture Park on Mount Buller is a great spot to go for a wander around the snow whilst looking at some cool sculptures! Through a combined effort of donations, and local collections, Mount Buller have a display of interesting art pieces that you can browse through.

Twilight sessions

As the evening sets in, cruise down the mountain to one of the best sunsets in Victoria. Watch an orange sun slowly go down against the set of mountains for a ski experience quite unlike any other.

Not a skiier, but want to experience the thrill of Mount Buller? Try tobogganing

Go tobogganing! Get yourself in one of the taboggans on the mountain and whizz down the mountain in one of the most thrilling ways! This is perfect for those who want to experience the magic of going down the mountain without skiing or snowboarding. Or explore the Gnome Roam for a fun, gnome-filled walk in the snow. If you’re going to Mount Buller with kids – then the Gnome Roam is a great way to explore the snow with the family!

Check out our day tours to Mount Buller from Melbourne!

Wondering how you should spend your holiday in an Australian winter? Head up to Mount Buller with one of our one day tours from Melbourne.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward began with a passion for travel and turned it into a thriving tourism business. He co-founded Sightseeing Tours Australia after starting out as a tour guide in Melbourne. Cameron delights in helping visitors get the most from their trip to Australia. Whether he's leading tours or writing about his favourite places, Cameron loves sharing his local insight with fellow travellers.