The first timer’s guide to skiing at Mt Buller

Steve MadgwickBy Steve Madgwick
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Mt Buller is a winter satellite of Melbourne’s social scene, making this perhaps Australia’s most vivacious après village.

Thanks to the largest lift network in Victoria, the AM action is solid too, especially for free-riders and snowboarders.

What it’s good for?

Buller embraces the freestyle philosophy, with plenty of opportunities to show off among its 300 hectares (and 22 lifts), including Skyline Park for those wanting to play Winter X Games-style.

Mt Buller Ski and Snowboard School
Mt Buller ski and snowboard school in session.

Intermediates should sample the distinctly un-standard Standard run for its length, breadth and off-shoots. Head to the Summit chair for that bluebird-day Instagram moment.

Where to stay in Buller

In the heart of the village the Mt Buller Chalet Hotel & Suites’  two-king Delatite Suite yields supreme top-floor High Country vistas, plus an antique grizzly bear.

 

The Duck Inn’s  recent makeover makes it a contemporary choice in a ‘quiet’ neck of town.

 

Ski-in options abound from the sauna-equipped AMO Lodge  to the Austrian-style Buller ‘institution’ Hotel Pension Grimus .

Après time

Sample a Pony Iced Tea at intimate fireside cocktails favourite Snow Pony .

 

Powder Bar in Village Square purveys fine Euro-style snacks and craft beer, plus a cultured range of local vino.

Skiing off snow's edge Mt Buller
Dropping off the edge, Mt Buller

Breathtaker Hotel will keep the family distracted; a massage at the loftiest spa in Australia for mum, while the rest of the fam head to The Loft Bar for pizza and films on beanbags.

How to get and ski there

Mt Buller is three hours’ drive from Melbourne and the Mt Buller Ski Express connects from downtown Melbourne and the airport.

 

Mansfield is the place to hire gear and chains.

 

You can find your friends on the slopes using the Glympse feature in the Mt Buller Live app.

 

Hot tip: Schuss up to the ski-thru espresso window (at the front of Pension Grimus, off Bourke Street run) for your morning caffeine face-slap.

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The iconic Victorian beach where true Aussie surf culture was born

    Craig TansleyBy Craig Tansley
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    Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

    It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

    The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

    surfers at Bells Beach in Australia
    Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

    True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road . These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

    huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach
    Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

    an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach
    Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver , which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

    surfers out at Bells Beach
    Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

    Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

    Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay
    The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum . Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

    surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

    surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

    surfing at Bells Beach
    The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)