Snow trip from Melbourne including Gippsland Lakes

Wednesday:

• Early morning departure from Melbourne, Frankston or the Mornington Peninsula. The WAM van will pick up from Melbourne at around 5:30am so that we can make our way into the Victorian Alps driving the Great Alpine Road and arrive in resort by late morning. On route, your WAM guide will be giving a bit of info about your next 5 days of adventure and we will stop for a coffee along the way.

• We aim to arrive in Mount Hotham by late morning so that any of the group wishing to hit the slopes straight away can be dropped off. We will also be collecting your lift passes and picking up any hire gear.
• For anyone looking to relax today, the WAM van will be going straight to Dinner Plain to our beautiful chalet for the next few nights to unload your luggage and show each of the group to the rooms.
• The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore Victoria’s highest alpine village, or for those of you skiing or snowboarding for the day, your WAM host will return at an organised time later in the day to pick you up.
• This evening we have a group dinner at the chalet whilst getting to know each other by the open fire.
• For those really keen after dinner, gear up as we take the short stroll to enjoy night skiing at the snow park!

Thursday:

• We will awake on our first day and enjoy a continental breakfast at our accomodation.

• Our first day of adventure is all about skiing or snowboarding some of Australia’s most beautiful terrain. WAM will provide a transfer for the short drive between Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham (or for any beginners you may wish to enjoy the beginners slope just a few minutes walk from our accommodation).

• Mt Hotham features the perfect mix of beginner, intermediate and expert runs, masterfully groomed slopes, tree-lined back country bowls and terrain parks. Hotham is also known as Australia’s powder capital and the last 3 years the snow season has continued well into October.

• After an exhilarating day on the slopes, your WAM guide will transfer you to the start of our included evening activity.

• Your Snowshoe to Fondue dinner experience starts with a snowshoe walk through the mystic snow gums, to encapsulate a sense of remoteness and immerse oneself in the Australian alpine environment. On your way you will hear stories about the Australian Alps pioneers. Arriving just before sunset at a sustainable hidden eco-village, you’ll enjoy a delicious heart warming glass of home-made mulled wine outside by the fire, watching the sun disappear over the Dargo valley. You will then be invited in the central tipi with a fireplace, where you will learn the secrets to making a traditional and mouth-watering French fondue, with cheese imported for the occasion from French Alpine farms (dietary requirements are catered for so please inform us when booking).After a 3 course dinner we will sit around the fire sharing a few drinks and stories.Fit your snowshoes and head-torch once more for the return journey to the carpark, gazing at the stars before your WAM guide will transfer you back to our accommodation.

Friday:

• An early start and breakfast so we can make the most of our final day on the slopes.

• We will aim to depart Hotham/Dinner Plain mid-afternoon giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy skiing, snowboarding or just relaxing in the mountains.

• Our drive this afternoon will head down the iconic and breathtaking Great Alpine Road as we travel through lofty mountain ranges, down plunging valleys, into lush forests, and past rolling vineyards along the way to the sparkling waterways on Gippsland’s coast.

• The spectacular drive takes just 2 to 2.5 hours until we reach the end of The Great Alpine Road where we will be arriving at our lakeside cabins just before sunset.

• Tonight we have a casual dinner in our accommodation before relaxing for the evening sharing stories from the adventures we have just had.

Saturday:

• Today is all abut enjoying the spectacular Gippsland Lakes.

• Starting with breakfast at our accommodation looking out over Australia’s largest inland waterways.
• We then head down to the waters edge for a beautiful kayaking adventure on the lake exploring the coastline.
• We’ll be on the water for a few hours keeping an eye out for birdlife and dolphins whilst enjoying the scenery.
• Lunch is served back at our cabins before you have a few hours to chill at our accommodation.
• There is also the option to head to Raymond Island to see the wild koalas that call it home.
• This afternoon we take the short drive for bathing at the brand new Metung Hot Springs 
• Set on a natural undulating site overlooking the magnificent Gippsland Lakes, the Metung Hot Springs are a new wellness destination where you bathe in geothermal water infused with natural minerals and trace elements that detoxify the body and rejuvenate the soul. We have organised entry to the bathing ridge and Hilltop Escarpment which has sweeping views of the Gippsland Lakes, fresh water lagoon and picturesque 25 acre site.
• Recharged from our time at the hot springs, we head to a nearby restaurant for dinner (additional cost) tasting the best of Gippsland’s produce, wines and beers.
• After dinner we’ll head back to the accommodation to settle in for the night.

Sunday:

• Our final day 🙁

• Once we have had breakfast and packed up, we hit the road heading back through the beautiful Gippsland rolling countryside towards Melbourne.
• Our adventures don’t quite stop there, as we drive for a few hours to the hidden gem Tarra Bulga National Park where we will head a short guided hike to the suspension bridge through lush native rainforests.
• We continue stopping for lunch, and aim to arrive back in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula by mid-late afternoon to say our goodbyes after an epic time on our Great Alpine Adventure!