Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort

Most people think of Australia as largely as a beach continent with its numerous ocean attractions, highly sought by water lovers. However, Australia offers more than just the beach and sun. It also has several breath taking alpine regions that offer something completely different.

Characterised by snow gums, heath lands and surrounded by low standing grasses, the Australian alpine district is found in the state of Victoria and holds several attractive ski resorts. Mount Baw Baw is among the most well known, being well placed so that access to and from the city of Melbourne is convenient. During the cold winter months, many skiers from all around the world are known to converge in and around the area, exploring the Australian slopes. The summer months, meanwhile, attract many bushwalkers where the mountain transforms into a colorful nature land bustling with wildlife.

Mount Baw Baw is said to have derived its name from the original Aboriginal words "baw baw" which is translated as "echo”. Others claim that the place was originally referred to as Bo Bo as evidenced from its use in early Australian maps. “Bo bo” is the aboriginal term for “big”.

The Baw Baw mountain area attracted a great number of inhabitants when it became open to the public in the late 1880s largely because of the reported presence of gold in and around the area. Renowned botanist Baron von Mueller was said to have initially explored Mount Baw Baw in 1860 for its rich vegetation.

Location

Primarily located in the middle of the Great Dividing Range or Great Divide, Mount Baw Baw is accessible through the Yarra Junction and is about 160 kilometers away from Melbourne city. In terms of actual driving time, this should only take up an average of about two and a half hours.
Aside from its snow-capped tops, the mountain area is also famous for its state park, referred to as the Baw Baw National Park, covering a vast 13,000 hectares (133km square).

Getting There

The resort and its adjoining attractions can be easily accessed courtesy of the Latrobe Valley across either of two Baw Baw Mountains nearby towns, namely, Moe or Traralgon. Following this particular path will lead to two other towns, Rawson and Erica, from where one can take the eleven-kilometer long Thomson Valley Road, eventually ending at the Mount Erica car park station.

Alternatively, one can opt for the longer St. Gwinear route that stretches to a long gravel road highlighted by a winding path. This is the same road that should be taken when visiting Aberfeldy and Thomson Rivers. Caution is recommended, when taking this particular route with drivers often asked to bring chains especially during the winter.

Altitude

Mt. Baw Baw's summit rests at 1,564 metres -- a moderately-sized mountain compared to its neighbours in the Australian Alpine. The village, including parts of the winter resort, rests at 1,450 metres. With its modest height and varied slopes, Mt. Baw Baw caters well to both the different needs of beginning skiers and those of the more experienced.

Skiing Area

As well as being the name of the mountain, Mt Baw Baw is the name of its well known ski resort. It boasts 30 hectares of pure skiing trails. A total of seven ski lifts operate from the resort to the various areas of the skiing mountain. The resort itself can be found at the lower end of the ski lifts where skiers can have access at both entry and exit points of the trails. Accompanying these basic skiing tracks are several other crossing paths which can take skiers to other Baw Baw mountain areas.

Terrain mix – beginners/advanced

The trails are mainly classified as beginner to intermediate, meaning they should effectively satisfy experienced skiers whilst being the perfect launch pad for most beginning skiers. The skiing paths, commonly referred to as pistes, are quite gentle, having a small distribution of green trees with the longest skiing run set at about 680 meters. A skiing school operates within the resort, capably manned by both local and foreign instructors.

Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort has an extremely family friendly cozy atmosphere prevalent among the many private lodges found in its midst. As it is, a majority of the slopes (25% and 64%, respectively) are devoted to beginners and intermediate skiers. Nevertheless, experienced skiers can also follow several other trails within the plateau range that are specifically intended for them. The trails conclude at Mount St. Gwinear about five and a half kilometres eastward from Mount Baw Baw.

Accommodation

Visitors can check in and stay in the many ski lodges, cabins, apartments, hotels and backpackers' lodgings available in the resort. For assistance and questions, visitors can proceed to the resort management office or to one of the service posts around the vicinity.

Facilities

Aside from the excellent slopes and ski runs, the resort also has the following:

• Ski rental
• First aid and medical assistance
• Restaurants and bars
• DJs, parties and themed events
• Ski patrols
• Banking and booking services