Victoria's most exclusive ski resort
Falls Creek is located 30 km south of Mount Beauty, on a scenic and very winding road, and is 1580 m above sea-level at the edge of the Bogong High Plains. It overlooks the Kiewa Valley. The highest elevation in the area is 1,842 metres and, for skiers, the highest lift point is at an elevation of 1780 metres. There are 23 lifts operating from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily with an uphill capacity of 20,850 per hour. There are over 92 runs for alpine skiing with 17% of the slopes being for beginners, 60% for intermediate and 23% for advanced skiers. The vertical drop is 267 metres and there are 145 ha of groomed skiing area. Some of the country's best cross-country skiing is available with 21 trails and a groomed trail network of 65 km. Some trails lead around Rocky Valley Reservoir (the Rocky Valley Dam trail is 21 km) and to old stockmen's huts which are scattered across the alpine landscape. They are remnants of the days when cattle were driven on to the high plains in the summertime. There are a total of 4,500 beds in lodges and other accommodation at Falls Creek.
Because it is such a large centre it has extensive facilities including ski and snowboard hire, a ski school, discos, nightclubs, restaurants, supermarkets, cafes, pubs, ski and gear-hire shops and a well-integrated internal transport service that will take you from the carpark to the lodges.
The ski season opens on the Queen's Birthday weekend in June and lasts, on average, for 128 days. The resort is open all year round and attracts visitors in summer when the air is crisp and the wildflowers and snow gums are in bloom. Early January is an ideal time for walking and there are many tracks to explore. Mountain biking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, horse riding, abseiling, archery, camping, environmental studies, orienteering, a ropes course, rafting, fishing, cable gliding, yoga and massage are offered in the summer months.
Location
Falls Creek, which is 30 km south of Mount Beauty on a very windy road, is 391 km north-east of Melbourne via the Hume Highway and the Great Alpine Road.
^ TOPOrigin of Name
Falls Creek was, rather unimaginatively, named after some waterfalls further down the road.
^ TOPThings to See and Do
A Village Directory
There is a useful map of the village with a very comprehensive Village Directory to Bars & Restaurants (25 of them); Kiosks & Eateries (8); Commercial Accommodation (42); Club Lodges & Other Accommodation (56); and Ski and Snowboard Rental (14). Check it out and download at https://www.fallscreek.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2018/07/15702_FALLSCREEK_Maps-2018-Update-and-Print_v3.pdf.
Falls Creek Museum
Located on Slalom Street in the Panabode Building, this is a fascinating collection which deals with the unique alpine history of the area since the 1940s with videos, photographs and documents. Check out https://www.fallscreekmuseum.com.au. Or tel: (03) 5758 1221.
Walks from Falls Creek Resort
The Australian Alps Walking Track (a huge 655 km track) from Walhalla to Tharwa in the ACT crosses the Bogong High Plains Road about 10 km south of Falls Creek.
There are many shorter walks in the area which start from around the village. The destinations include Mt Nelse (9 km return); Wallace's Hut (1.5 km return); Rocky Valley Lake (2 km); Cope Hut (1 km return), the Wallace/Cope Hut circuit walk - includes the oldest hut in the area which dates from 1889 (6 km return); the Wallace Hut/Langfords Gap Circuit (8 km return); a walk to the top of Mount Cope which is 1837 m (1.5 hours return); Falls Creek Falls (14 km); Ruined Castle (6 km return); Fitzgerald and Kelly Huts (11 km return); Tawonga Huts, Howmans Gap and Roper's Lookout (5 km return) which offers excellent views over the village. For information and maps check at the Visitor Information Centre.
Other Attractions in the Area
Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing
For those eager to enjoy the fresh air this is a 37 km, three day hike connecting Falls Creek to Hotham. The Falls Creek website offers an excellent description of the experience: "Walk over high alpine ridgelines, down through magical riverside valleys to wetlands brimming with life. Sleep out under blinking stars and unwind amid the tranquil beauty of this ancient country. Wander across high plains, alive with the brilliant colour of summertime wildflowers, and keep an eye out for shy native wildlife watching you pass. Summer is the most popular season to walk the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing, with wildflowers in full bloom and the cool alpine air a welcome break from the heat below." Check out https://www.fallscreek.com.au/listing/falls-to-hotham-alpine-crossing-falls-creek for extra details.
Rocky Valley Lookout and Lake
Located 2 km south of Falls Creek via the Bogong High Plains Road, the Rocky Valley Lookout offers excellent views over the Rocky Valley Lake, a 250 ha storage. It is also possible to rent sailboats, paddle boats, kayaks and paddle boards and enjoy sailing and boating on the lake. Tel: 0424 225 774 for more details.
Mountain Biking
There is a Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park which has over 40 km of machine-built single track tracks which wind through snow gums and alpine pastures. It is suitable for all abilities and, for the more experienced, there is a 10 km descent from the Summit to the Ticketbox. Check out https://www.fallscreek.com.au/mtb for more details.
History
* Prior to the arrival of Europeans the area around Falls Creek was home to the Jaitmatang Aboriginal people.
* By the 1850s local farmers were using the alpine pastures for summer grazing of cattle.
* In the 1930s a road was built to gain access to Falls Creek.
* Falls Creek village came into existence on State-Electricity-Commission Land in 1940.
* The first ski lodge was built by the Electricity workers in 1948.
* The first ski lift was built in 1951.
* A chairlift was constructed, the first in Australia, in 1957.
* The Falls Creek Post Office was opened in 1958.
* In 2005 the Victorian Government withdrew summer grazing leases from the area.
^ TOPVisitor Information
Falls Creek Visitor Information Centre, 1 Slalom Street, tel: (03) 5758 1200.
^ TOPUseful Websites
There is a useful, dedicated website. Check out https://www.fallscreek.com.au.
^ TOP