Outdoor Activities in High Country Victoria & NSW in the Summer

December 11, 2020 4 min read

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Summer Outdoor Activities in the High Country & Australian Alps

In the summertime, the mountains are where we will be!

Written for Auski by Pink Lemonade Social


We get it, ski resorts and summer usually don’t exactly go hand in hand.

We all love the mountains for their winter offerings, but did you know you can also enjoy them in summer? There is truly something for everyone in Australia’s alps, some might say there are too many options to count! Just to name a few, these include hiking, fishing, camping, mountain biking, horse riding, road biking, kayaking, golf, swimming, tennis, bush walking, trail running and even bobsledding - the options truly are endless.

If the slow road is more your pace most alps offer ample dining options, museums, breweries, distilleries and beautiful scenery that surround the stunning terrain of the mountain ranges around Australia.

If you're still unconvinced, here’s the lowdown on what to do in the summer at various ski resorts in Victoria and New South Wales.

Mountain Biking Victoria

Outdoor Activities at Falls Creek

Trout Fishing NSW

What to do:

  • Mountain biking
  • Tennis
  • Road cycling
  • Trail running
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Fishing

The famous snow-covered slopes of Falls turn into extensive mountain biking trails come summer, and to extend them even more Falls Creek just got a huge government grant to expand them even further!

PLUS, there are January school holiday offerings for kids to give parents a much-needed break that range from cooking classes, fishing and nature walks.

Where to stay:

QT Falls Creek is a great option with full-service amenities including dining options on site. The hotel is a stone’s throw from Falls Creek’s finest walks and trails.

For those who want to experience the mountains, without pitching a tent, Alpine Glamping at Diana Lodge offers the perfect escape. Also situated right in the middle of Falls Creek village, your wilderness retreat is also incredibly accessible.

Outdoor Activities at Mt Buller

What to do:

  • Mountain Biking
  • Cross Country Riding
  • Road Cycling
  • Bush Walking and Hiking
  • Four-wheel driving and motorcycling.
  • Rock climbing and abseiling.
  • Horse riding.
  • Tennis

Just three hours from Melbourne’s CBD, Mt Buller is the most accessible winter resort that also turns it on in the summer months. With over 60km of single mountain bike track, Buller is a rider’s dream.

As an added bonus, each November Buller plays host to the Targa High Country Hill Climb. A thrilling car race through the mountains of the surrounding areas. A great time to be in town!

Where to stay:

Check out Alpine Holiday Rentals for an extensive range of options for your biking holiday. Many of these apartments are bike friendly, and offer direct access to the Mount Buller village, trails, hiking spots.

Horse Riding Mt Buller

Outdoor Activities at Mt Hotham

Four-wheel driving Victoria

What to do:

  • Bush Walking
  • Horse Riding
  • Mountain Biking
  • Four-Wheel Driving
  • Trail Running
  • Wine Tasting
  • Trout Fishing

Combine top-notch views, horse riding trails and endless bushwalking routes and you’ve got yourself the perfect Mt. Hotham summer itinerary. Summer in Mt. Hotham is well liked for its diverse and vast trails. If it is your first, tenth or hundredth visit, there is always a new trail to discover!

Where to stay:

Stay in the nearby township, Dinner Plain where the pub is always open! Hotel High Plains is a crowd favourite for accommodation in the area, offering a quaint home among the gum trees. The best part? Wine tasting nearby allows you to pour yourself into your mountain oasis after a long day of adventures!

Outdoor Activities at Thredbo

What to do:

  • Concerts and festivals during the summer bring the crowds to town! Thredbo Jazz or Thredbo Blues Festival are not to be missed.
  • Hiking
  • Mountain biking
  • Swimming in the multitude of alpine lakes (be warned, the water is very cold!)
  • Chairlift rides
  • Fishing
  • Golf
  • Abseiling

Situated right in the middle of Kosciuszko National Park, Thredbo offers an extensive summer line-up! Enjoy a round at Australia's highest golf course, try your hand at fly fishing, or take in the incredible views with a drink in hand from Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery. The Kosciuszko express chairlift is open for mountain bike access, so you can enjoy the fun of downhill riding without even earning it first! Thredbo is also a day hike to the top of Kosciuszko, Australia’s tallest peak.

Don’t miss out on the highest eatery in Australia, Eagles Nest Restaurant - try the pancakes!

Where to stay:

Thredbo is littered with campgrounds so the options are endless. The most popular spot is Thredbo Diggings Campground, situated at the base of some of the best day walks where you’ll feel like you’re a million miles from civilisation.

If a mountain retreat is more up your alley, try Boali Lodge. It’s quaint, cozy and boasts full fireplaces, communal family style dining and more board games than you could imagine.

Hiking Trail NSW

Outdoor Activities at Perisher

Waterski Jindabyne

What to do:

  • Walking tracks
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Mountain biking
  • Hiking
  • Alpine training
  • Water-skiing
  • Wakeboarding

Options for the hiker, the rider, the weekender or just anyone craving a city exodus, there's no question why Banjo Patterson spent so much time in the wilderness surrounding Perisher. The stark contrast between the lush green mountains and the deep blue sky is enough reason to try the summer activities Perisher has to offer.

The absolute best walking track in Perisher is the Blue Cow track. On a sunny day, you can see Australia’s seven highest peaks from the top, so pack a picnic and take it all in.

Lake sports on nearby Lake Jindabyne are ample, including water-skiing, wakeboarding and camping.

Where to stay:

Right in the middle of Perisher Valley, you’ll find The Man from Snowy River Hotel which displays some of the most stunning views. It is close to everything in the valley and has full amenities with delicious dining options. Alternatively, staying in nearby Jindabyne provides more dining options and day activities for the family, and easy access to Thredbo too.


For this summer’s city exodus, ditch the beach and head for the hills. Forget the ski boots this trip, hiking boots are our first pick as Australia’s ski resorts change into summer mode.

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