Major city · Australia
Mount Hotham
Go for 2–3 nights in ski season only if you sleep on the mountain: day-tripping from Bright adds 1.5 h each way on an icy road.
Mount Hotham is a ski resort on the Great Alpine Road in Victoria's High Country, about 4.5 h from Melbourne via Harrietville. There is no commercial airport and no fuel on the mountain, so you arrive by car or bus and stay on the mountain. Two to three nights covers a weekend of skiing; outside winter the village is quiet and the road is a through-route.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (ski season); Jan–Apr and Nov–Dec for a quiet drive-through
- avoid Jul–Aug school holidays (busiest, highest beds); outside winter many businesses shut
- Airports
- MEL · ABX
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mount Hotham000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mount Hotham, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyThe mountain is safe when you respect the road and the weather: chains on, fuel bought below…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMEL Melbourne Airport (About 4.5 h by car via the Hume Highway and the Great Alpine Road).
- Getting aroundThe Great Alpine Road runs through the resort and the free village bus links car parks, lifts and lodges every 5–10 minutes in season.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in the villageA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
- BeerBeer in a lodge barA$10–15 (≈ US$7–10)
- Museum or sight ticketResort entry permit, one vehicle, one dayA$60 (≈ US$40)
- Budget bedHostel or lodge dorm bed, a night, per personA$70 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedLodge or apartment double room, a night, per roomA$350 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedLodge or apartment double room, a night, per roomA$700 (≈ US$500)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$220 (≈ US$150) · High A$400 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MEL Melbourne Airport (About 4.5 h by car via the Hume Highway and the Great Alpine Road) · ABX Albury Airport (Closest airport with commercial flights; about 2.5 h by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Jun
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Jul
Care
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Aug
Care
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Sep
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Jun, Sep, Nov–Apr. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jul (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mount Hotham: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
May
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Jun
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
13 rd
Jul
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
14 rd
Aug
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
14 rd
Sep
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
13 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Great Alpine Road runs through the resort and the free village bus links car parks, lifts and lodges every 5–10 minutes in season. Skis go in the outside racks, snowboards stay with you. Parking near the centre fills early; park at the edges and ride the bus.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dinner Plain
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Bus from the resort, several times a day in season
Lower, cheaper beds and a village walk; the return ticket includes the Hotham drop-off fee.
Bright
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h each way
Drive down the Great Alpine Road via Harrietville
Fuel, supermarkets and valley food; too far for a casual return trip on a ski day.
Door to door: About 3 h
Drive via Omeo and the Bogong High Plains Road
A separate resort; sleep there rather than drive back in the dark.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotham Heights village
Lodges and apartments along the Great Alpine Road, walk to lifts and the village bus.
Dinner Plain
About 10 km (6.2 mi) down the road; cheaper beds, bus to Hotham several times a day.About 6.2 mi (10 km) down the road; cheaper beds, bus to Hotham several times a day.
Harrietville
Valley base about 30 km (19 mi) below the resort; drive up each day or park and take the bus.Valley base about 19 mi (30 km) below the resort; drive up each day or park and take the bus.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$120–200 (≈ US$80–140) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$200–350 (≈ US$140–250) excl. bed
- High
- A$350 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Lodge or apartment double room1 × 2 nights × A$350 | A$700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$220 | A$880 |
| Resort entry permit, one vehicle, one day1 × A$60 | A$60 |
| Snow chains, hire for the trip1 × A$60 | A$60 |
| Dinner Plain–Hotham bus, return2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$179 |
| Trip total≈ A$492 per person per day, bed included | A$1,969≈ US$1,300 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; lift passes, flights and ski hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in the village | A$5–7 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pizza or a pub meal | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Beer in a lodge bar | A$10–15 (≈ US$7–10) |
| One-day lift pass, adult | A$150–200 (≈ US$100–140) (check) |
| Ski or snowboard hire, one day | A$60–120 (≈ US$40–80) (check) |
| Resort entry permit, one vehicle, one day | A$60 (≈ US$40) |
| Petrol, per litre, in Bright or Omeo | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Snow chains must be carried on the Great Alpine Road between Harrietville and Omeo from 1 June to 10 October; fit them where signs direct.
- Resort entry is a paid permit per vehicle per day, bought online against your registration; drop-offs still pay.
- No petrol or diesel anywhere in the alpine area: fill up in Bright or Omeo.
- Pedestrians cross the road with gear and there are no marked crossings; give way.
- Bus stops on the downhill side have no safety rail; stand well back from the edge.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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Mount HothamMount Hotham
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No consulates on the mountain; embassies and consulates-general are in Melbourne and Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dinner Plain → Mount Hotham bus, return: about A$20 (≈ US$14) adult, children under 15 free
- Resort entry permit, one vehicle, one day: about A$60 (≈ US$40), bought online
- Melbourne → Mount Hotham by car: about 4.5 h via the Hume Highway and Great Alpine Road
Say or show
- Where do I fit the chains? — Where do I fit the chains?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
- One adult lift pass, please — One adult lift pass, please
- Where is the village bus stop? — Where is the village bus stop?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the nearest fuel? — Where is the nearest fuel?
Resort entry is checked by registration number, so buy the permit before you reach the gate.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mount Hotham. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (ski season); Jan–Apr and Nov–Dec for a quiet drive-through · avoid Jul–Aug school holidays (busiest, highest beds); outside winter many businesses shut · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for MEL and ABX: last bus and shuttle departures field-checked, chain-hire fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Hotham Central, Big D, Davenport Access and the village bus stops.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (lift pass office, chain-fitting bays, resort entry gate) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter storm and road-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.