Australia Victoria - Falls Creek

where to stay and play

Eating: Falls Creek has some sensational restaurants in its village that are either stand-alone or attached to commercial lodges. The best of these is Summit Ridge, but you should also consider Astra, run by the professional, friendly and enthusiastic Grochowski family (be careful of their vodka) and Winterhaven. Also consider the Alta restaurant attached to the St Falls complex.

On mountain: Unfortunately, food on-mountain disappoints – basic options at not very basic prices. The exception is the Gateway Café near the base of the Gully Chair and International Poma – good coffee, breakfasts and lunches and great burgers; it also opens occasionally for dinner. Because the village is ski-in and ski-around, Café Milch at Frueauf Village also qualifies as an on-mountain option.

Nightlife: Not much live music to report but the DJs spin the disks at The Man and The Frying Pan; Astra has a good up-market bar. The tomdickandharrys Bar at St Falls is another option.

Accommodation: There are 4745 beds on-mountain and the majority of the accommodation is ski-in/ski-out.

Upmarket beds: Some good choices here. For lodge-style accommodation look at beautifully built, well-fitted and well-run lodges like Astra, Summit Ridge and Nelse. Attunga also has claims here. For self-catering apartment-style accommodation Frueauf Village is the choice – a sensational ski in/ski out location high in the village and Café Milch gives it a hip beating heart. St Falls, Woodsmoke and Fjall are also worth considering and if you stay there, you don’t have to use the oversnow service.

Middle ground: Very good range in lodges with most offering bed, breakfast and dinner. Look at the warm-hearted Julians with its wonderful retro lounge; Cooroona, Diana and Feathertop are others to consider. For self-catering, there is broad choice in apartments with some very well located, like Alpine View or Snow Ski in the bowl. Gebi’s Apartments is one of our favourites – it’s right next to the International Poma and Gateway Cafe.

Shoestring: For club-style self-catering accommodation in a commercial setting, Viking Alpine Lodge is as a good a lodge as you’ll find anywhere in the mountains – it’s clean, friendly and well-equipped and has a good ski hire and ski shop. Other choices are the well-located Ripparoo or Aurora Alpine Lodge for budget bed and breakfast.

Nearest towns: Bogong Village 15 kilometres, Mount Beauty, 28 kilometres.

Base facilities: There are two key shopping areas – the Hub on the main village road, and St Falls near the base of the Falls Express quad chair. The best of the supermarkets is at St Falls. For fresh fruit and vegetable lovers, a service worth noting is provided by Vegitation, a very good fruit and veg shop in Mount Beauty – they’ll take phone or fax orders and deliver to your door in Falls Creek twice a week (03) 5754 4226.