Australia Victoria - Mt Hotham

Where to stay and play

Base facilities: For simplicity, Hotham’s long strip of village services can be divided into two zones; one with the Hotham Central complex at its heart and the other the club-founded Davenport Village.  Both have a range of food outlets and both have supermarkets – one at Hotham Central and one at the General Store.

Eating: Some quality restaurant choices with Zirky’s, the White Room and Fountains at the front.  Cheaper options that maintain some quality are Swindlers, The General Store and the Last Run Bar. Hot Doggies in Hotham Central ha good hot dogs, burgers and baked potatoes and is probably the cheapest food on the mountain. Accessibility means most of these venues rate as on-mountain; to that list you can add the Snake Gully Hut at the bottom of the Heavenly Valley chair which ash a reasonable range of snacks and light meals and very good coffee.

Nightlife: If DJ Eddy is at the General, go there, as much for the crowd as Eddy’s performance. Swindlers is another option for nightlife. Apres is liveliest at Zirky’s.

Upmarket beds: The Hotham Heights Chalets and apartments above take the prize for location; right by the Village Chairlift. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide stunning mountain views and most chalets have adjacent.

Middle ground: Arlberg Hotel, Jack Frost Lodge, Lawlers Apartments and Hotham 1750 Apartments recommended for this price range.

Shoestring: The Snowbird Inn appeals to the young snowboard crowd.  Club lodges such as Brush, Trapdoor and Shepparton provide the basics and probably the best-value beds on mountain.

Nearest towns for accommodation: Dinner Plain 11 kilometres, Harrietville 25 kilometres, Bright 45 kilometres, Omeo 60 kilometres.