After a dry spell in June, Australia’s ski fields are finally blanketed in snow – and there’s more powder on the way.
If you’ve been patiently checking the live snow cams and wondering whether winter was ever going to show face, there’s finally some good news. Australia’s ski season has found its footing, with fresh snowfall and icy temperatures giving the country’s alpine resorts a welcome winter boost just as the school holidays get underway.
This year, Australia experienced its warmest June in decades. And while the heat was celebrated by the cold-averse, the country’s alpine areas suffered. The unusually high temperatures resulted in severe snow droughts and one of the slowest starts to the Aussie ski season in more than 70 years.
Thankfully, the weather has turned. A series of cold fronts beginning on 3 July swept across south-east Australia last week, bringing natural snowfall and much-needed freezing temperatures. While there has been no new powder in the last 48 hours, weather forecasts are predicting up to 48cm of fresh snowfall for the next 15 days at certain resorts.
Skiers and snowboarders rejoicing on 4 July after fresh snowfall. (Credit: Falls Creek)
With the added help of extensive snowmaking, conditions have improved dramatically – allowing resorts to progressively open more terrain. The welcome burst of cold weather has transformed the slopes and lifted the spirits of skiers and snowboarders who have been waiting to dust off their gear.
Victoria’s Falls Creek was among the biggest beneficiaries of last week’s blast, reporting 33cm of fresh snow. Four lifts are currently operating, with temperatures dropping to -6°C overnight and 20-48cm of new snowfall predicted for the next 15 days. In time for the July school holidays, the resort is buzzing with a lineup of fun activities, including visiting the new 10-metre Flower of the Alpine Sun sculpture installed as part of the resort’s $750,000 makeover.
Last week brought 33cm of snow for Falls Creek, Victoria. (Credit: Falls Creek)
Keen skiers are back on Thredbo's white slopes.
Mouse Trap at Falls Creek on 4 July, 2026. (Credit: Falls Creek)
Over on Mt Hotham, last week’s snowstorm delivered 30cm of fresh snow in 48 hours, accumulating to 36cm of total snowfall in the past week. The mountain’s machines have been working to maintain the cover since. Like Falls Creek, forecasts predict a confident 20 to 48cm of snow over the next two weeks.
Mt Buller has also bounced back after the slow start to winter. Following a burst of almost 30cm of snow on 3 July, visitors can expect between 15 and 37cm of snowfall over the next 15 days. Today skiers are out enjoying the firm conditions, thanks to snowmaking overnight and grooming helping to bolster the snowpack.
Thredbo’s mountain is back in business for the winter season.
In NSW, Perisher has received 32cm of natural snowfall over the past week and is readying for more: an estimated 16 to 38cm across the next two weeks. Overnight, the temperature dropped below -7°C, with 225 snow guns firing to help maintain the snow cover.
Thredbo is also seeing significantly improved ski conditions. Thanks to more than 25cm of natural snowfall last week and consistent artificial snowmaking, slope shredders have finally been able to carve tracks down the mountain.
Safe to say, there are plenty of happy faces on the mountains this week. With conditions continuing to improve, it’s shaping up to be an opportune time to experience our alpine regions.
Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
A new generation ofHilton hotels is reshaping Aussie getaways, pairing the brand’s signature comfort with some of the most spectacular outlooks in the country.
When life calls for a reset, there’s nothing quite like checking into a hotel where the view does all the heavy lifting. From spectacular outback landscapes and mountain peaks to shimmering seas, these are the best Hilton hotels for sinking into comfort while soaking up unforgettable vistas from your window.
1. DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs
Enjoy panoramas of the MacDonnell Ranges.
With panoramas of the MacDonnell Ranges from its Mountain View rooms, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs makes the most of its dramatic Red Centre setting. Set on the banks of the Todd River next door to Alice Springs Golf Club, the hotel offers a relaxed base for exploring the region’s natural attractions, including Alice Springs Desert Park and Anzac Hill, both within a 10-minute drive. An outdoor pool overlooks leafy gardens inhabited by a resident peacock, while tennis courts, a fitness centre and an on-site restaurant round out the resort-style appeal.
2. Hilton Garden Inn Busselton
Wake to views of the ocean in Busselton.
Sitting on the foreshore a seashell’s throw from Busselton Jetty, Hilton Garden Inn Busselton puts one of Western Australia’s most celebrated coastal outlooks front and centre. Guests staying in Ocean View Rooms wake to views of Geographe Bay and the Indian Ocean, while Balcony rooms further enhance the experience, inviting guests to step outside and soak up the sea breeze. For a different perspective, Town View Rooms overlook Busselton’s distinctive peppermint trees. The hotel is perfectly positioned for seaside strolls and easy access to the town centre, with a heated outdoor pool, fitness centre and contemporary dining.
3. Hilton Cairns
Check into Hilton Cairns and soak in the beauty.
In a prime position on the Esplanade, Hilton Cairns gives you front-row views over Trinity Inlet, framed by palm trees and passing cruise ships, or across the lush, mountainous backdrop of the hinterland. In addition to its waterfront setting, guests can unwind beside the lagoon-style pool, stay active in the fitness centre and enjoy a selection of on-site dining and bar spaces, while the Executive Lounge offers another relaxed vantage point over the tidal estuary. Opt for a private balcony room to maximise the unobstructed views.
4. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Choose from rooms looking towards the water or the ranges.
Just down the Esplanade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns offers similar panoramas, with rooms looking towards the water or the jungle-clad ranges beyond the city – many featuring private balconies. The hotel leans into its tropical setting with landscaped gardens and an enticing outdoor pool, perfect for cooling off after a day exploring the reef or rainforest. Guests can dine at on-site restaurants or linger over drinks at the bar, while a 24-hour fitness centre keeps routines intact. With modern rooms and that signature Hilton comfort, the hotel balances resort-style ease in a central location a short stroll from the lagoon and city sights.
5. Hilton Darwin
Opt for Harbour View Rooms or Suites at Hilton Darwin.
Take in the Top End horizon from Harbour View Rooms or Suites on the upper levels of Hilton Darwin. On Level 20, the city’s only Executive Lounge is the place to be at dusk, where canapés and cocktails are served against a cinematic sky. Set high above the city, the hotel’s outdoor pool invites a leisurely swim, complemented by a fitness centre for those keen to keep moving indoors. Dining spans PepperBerry, showcasing modern Australian cuisine with native bush spices, to the immersive Le Petit Chef experience, plus light bites and drinks in the stylish bar and lounge.
6. DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin
Watch sunsets over Darwin’s Esplanade.
Positioned right on the foreshore, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin offers a more laid-back alternative near the waterfront parklands. Book an upper-floor ocean-facing room to make the most of the harbour view, especially golden at sunset. King Executive Suites elevate the experience further, with private rooftop verandahs. Guests can relax by the large outdoor pool made for tropical lounging, plus there’s a fitness centre and the Aqua Restaurant and bar, which spills onto an alfresco terrace.
7. Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
Garden, pool and Esplanade views await.
Also located on the Esplanade, Hilton Garden Inn Darwin places you right on the edge of the harbour. From the outset, it feels tailored for easy Darwin living, with an outdoor pool, all-day dining at Together & Co, a fitness centre and a 24-hour snack shop for grab-and-go essentials. Upper-level Harbour View Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and Juliet balconies with unobstructed views of the water. Inside, rooms are modern and practical, with smart TVs, workspaces, Wi-Fi access and contemporary bathrooms. Guests also have access to free parking and a self-service laundry, making for an easy and hassle-free stay.
8. Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences
Look over the iconic Surfers Paradise.
Set in the heart of Australia’s holiday playground, Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences captures the essence of the Gold Coast. Floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies offer uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views, with Surfers Paradise Beach stretching below. Turn inland and the city skyline sparkles at night, a neon grid rising above Cavill Avenue. Beyond it all, the Gold Coast hinterland drifts into soft, green-blue mountain silhouettes. The hotel makes an excellent base for exploring theme parks and other attractions. There’s also four pools, an award-winning spa, two fitness centres and on-site restaurants.
9. Hilton Garden Inn Albany
Look out the room window to Albany Waterfront Marina.
Poised above Princess Royal Harbour, Hilton Garden Inn Albany distils the salt-licked calm of Western Australia’s south coast into a modern waterfront stay. From upper-level Harbour View Rooms, guests arise to magnificent sunrises spilling across Albany Waterfront Marina, where they can watch boats slip quietly in and out like clockwork. The same views carry through to the on-site restaurant and breezy viewing decks. Inside, it’s all clean-lined comfort, with a fitness centre and a casual eatery showcasing local produce.
