Why go skiing in Australia?
Despite being better known for sun-bleached beaches, Australia’s high country is bound to impress the whole family. Think long, well-groomed cruisers for first-timers, spicy black runs and terrain parks for the park rats, and first-class snow-making backed by friendly, globally certified instructors—proof that skiing in Australia is more than a novelty.
The resorts sit mere hours from major airports, so you can collect your campervan hire or motorhome, settle into a powered lakeside site, then hop the resort shuttle/transport (maui vans can’t drive final alpine access roads between 1 June and 30 September) for hassle-free laps. Add in après scenes that drift from cosy wine bars to hot-pool soaks, plus a backdrop of uniquely Aussie snow-gums, and you’ve got a winning recipe for a Southern-Hemisphere winter adventure.
FAQ about skiing in Australia
Where is the best place to snow ski in Australia?
If you judge a resort by sheer size, lift network and terrain variety, Perisher comes out on top. Sitting inside Kosciuszko National Park, it rolls four interlinked areas, 47 lifts and roughly 1,245 ha of skiable terrain into one lift pass—easily making it the heavyweight of the ski slopes Australia offers. That said, Thredbo grabs plenty of headlines for its 5.9-km Supertrail, so if you are looking for uninterrupted slope time, this may be the winner.
Is it cheaper to ski in New Zealand or Australia?
On paper, lift passes in New Zealand generally tally a touch lower. A peak-season adult day ticket at Queenstown’s Coronet Peak lists at NZ $175 (about A $160), while day passes at Perisher or Thredbo can nudge past A $200 – $250. That said, an Epic Australia Pass (A $1,229 for unlimited Perisher/Falls/Hotham) or cooking dinner in your campervan hire can quickly swing the value equation back in Australia’s favour.
What is the best month to ski in Australia?
Ask a local and they’ll say August—the snowpack is usually at its deepest, snow-making takes a breather, and the events calendar (think night-ski fireworks and on-mountain concerts) is in full throttle. Early July often scores the first big dumps, while early September delivers softer “spring corn” and thinner crowds, perfect for a relaxed road trip and long afternoons by the lake in Jindabyne or Bright.
Is skiing any good in Australia?
Absolutely. Modern snow-making blankets up to 65 % of many Australia ski hills, grooming teams treat corduroy like an art form, and native snow-gums lend the scenery a nowhere-else-on-earth flavour. You might not find 1,000-m vertical drops, but you will score quick-turnaround lifts, friendly instructors, and après scenes that drift from craft-beer smokehouses to hot-pool spas.
PRO TIP: Need more wintry ideas when the skis come off? Dive into Maui’s guide to winter road trip activities for hot-spring soaks, distillery visits and more.
Top ski slopes in Australia
Ready to dial in your Australia mountains skiing wish-list? The action clusters in three main regions—New South Wales’ Snowy Mountains, Victoria’s High Country and Tasmania’s central plateau. Below, we break down the hero resorts that keep Aussie snow-lovers coming back season after season, proving that snow resorts, Australia style, can hold its own on the world stage.
Perisher, New South Wales
Known simply as Perisher—Australia’s heavy-hitter sprawls across four interlinked areas, including Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega, all tucked inside the wild beauty of Kosciuszko National Park. With 47 lifts covering roughly 1,245 Ha, Perisher is officially the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere.
What does that mean on snow? Wide groomers for carving, playful tree runs for intermediates, plus Olympic-level terrain parks and night skiing sessions. Add family-friendly tubing hills, guided snow-shoe tours and a village buzz that peaks during peak-season fireworks, and you’ve got the all-rounder every campervan crew should pencil into the travel itinerary.
Where to stay: Base yourself lakeside at NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park, where powered sites welcome campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Expect modern amenities blocks, cosy camp kitchens and epic sunrise reflections across Lake Jindabyne. Daily shuttle buses swing past the Snowy Regional Visitor Centre for Perisher and Thredbo, just a 7-minute walk from camp. That way, you can leave the van plugged in and still be first on the mountain.
Pro Tip: Packing for sub-zero nights? maui’s checklist of what to pack for winter road trips will keep you snug without overloading the boot.
Image: Tourism Australia
Thredbo, New South Wales
Slide 5.9 km from the top of Karels T-Bar down the legendary Crackenback Supertrail and you’ve officially ticked off Australia’s longest ski run—one of many bragging rights that draw powder-hunters to Thredbo. The resort sits just south-east of Perisher in the Snowy Mountains but feels more like a pocket of the Alps thanks to its chalet-lined streets, cosy fondue haunts and lift-side cafés that erupt into live-music sessions once the sun dips. Off the slopes you’ll find Australia’s only alpine gondola, progressive terrain parks and a party-friendly après strip that makes it easy to park up the campervan hire, catch the shuttle and toast another big day on the Australia ski hills.
Where to stay: NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park is 30 minutes’ drive from the resort beside sparkling Lake Jindabyne. Powered sites suit everything from a compact camper to a full-size motorhome, amenities are hotel-clean, and the snow-shuttle stops just a short walk from the gate—no alpine-road hassles required.
Charlotte Pass, New South Wales
Looking for something smaller, quieter and undeniably charming? Charlotte Pass sits at 1,760 m, making it Australia’s highest ski field and a magnet for reliable snowfall. Because winter access is via oversnow cat from Perisher’s Skitube terminal, cars and crowds are blissfully absent—perfect for families or learners who want mellow runs minus the mayhem. The resort caps guest numbers, pushes its eco-credentials hard, and serves up stunning views of Mt Kosciuszko from every lift.
Where to stay: NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park.
Falls Creek, Victoria
Cross the border into Victoria’s High Country and Falls Creek greets you with ski-in/ski-out chalets, 450 ha of terrain and more than 90 marked runs—all hemmed in by frozen lakes and rugged granite peaks. It’s the state’s largest alpine playground, famous for pristine cross-country loops as well as flowing groomers. In summertime, the lifts switch to mountain-bike carriers and hiking access, so you can park the van in Mount Beauty and keep the adventure rolling year-round.
Where to stay: BIG4 Bright Campground is a great base in this region. With all the amenities you need, cute stores in town as well as a convenient shuttle to Falls Creek (1 hr 15 min), you really will have everything you need for your winter escape!
Mount Hotham, Victoria
Nicknamed the Powder Capital of Australia, Mount Hotham cops the brunt of south-westerly storm tracks and often scores the deepest, driest stashes in the country. It’s also an “upside-down” resort—the village perches at 1,750 m on a ridgeline, so every run starts with a panorama of the Victorian Alps before diving into gullies packed with black-diamond steeps and tree-lined powder pockets. Free village buses ferry you between trailheads, while sunset drinks on the summit deck redefine après with a view.
Where to stay: BIG4 Bright Campground is also the perfect base for those travelling to Mt Hotham. With winter-friendly amenities, shuttle access and a cute town centre, you will have everything you need to hit the ski slopes in Australia’s high country!
Mount Buller, Victoria
Mount Buller lies just three hours northeast of Melbourne—close enough for a cheeky weekend yet sprawling enough (22 lifts, 300 ha, 80-plus runs) to fill an extended travel itinerary. Day visitors can park at Mirimbah and hop a free shuttle, while overnighters stroll a traffic-free village bursting with restaurants, rental shops and late-night hot-choc spots.
Where to stay: Follow the Goulburn River to Jamieson Caravan Park, a leafy hub offering powered sites, riverside cabins and glamping tents. Kayaks, a pool and campfires make it just as inviting for non-ski days, and the morning shuttle whisks you straight to Buller’s ticket gates—no icy mountain roads for your campervan or motorhome.
Ben Lomond, Tasmania
If you fancy swapping mainland crowds for Tassie’s untamed vibes, Ben Lomond Alpine Resort is the island’s one-and-only commercial ski field. Perched inside Ben Lomond National Park about an hour from Launceston, the mountain serves up 30 ha of gentle pistes accessed by six surface lifts, plus free tobogganing and snow-play zones that keep kids buzzing all day.
First-timers love the wide, confidence-building runs, while more adventurous riders can tackle summit drops and back-slope chutes once conditions line up. The drive up “Jacob’s Ladder” is a classic zig-zag thriller—but you’ll have to enjoy this from the seat of a shuttle as access to this road is closed to maui campervans in the winter. Expect a laid-back, wallet-friendly atmosphere that feels more like a winter family picnic than a big-resort circus.
Where to stay: Settle in at Launceston Holiday Park Legana, 15 minutes north of the city and an easy day-trip to the slopes. Powered sites fit everything from a compact campervan hire to full-size motorhomes, and facilities include heated ablutions, a camp kitchen, laundry, games room and free barbecues—ideal for thawing out under the stars after a day on Tassie’s snow.
Campervan tips for snow adventures
Nothing beats rolling out of a warm campervan straight into a snow-shuttle queue, warm drink in hand and mountains glowing pink. However, a few practical tweaks can make winter van-life even sweeter:
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Driving in snowy conditions: Before you map out your travel itinerary, skim maui’s advice on safe motorhome driving. Some alpine roads close without notice, and all ski-access routes are off-limits to Maui vehicles from 1 June to 30 September—so you will need to book a local shuttle from your holiday park or township.
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Winterising your campervan: Modern maui vans come with diesel or gas heaters. We recommend that you run them for 10 minutes before bed, crack a vent for airflow and stash a couple of hot-water bottles in the duvet.
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Where to camp: Choose powered sites near shuttle stops and always keep an eye out for heated amenities blocks to ensure you will have access to a hot shower on demand after a long day on the slopes.
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Packing essentials: Alongside the on-snow skis and thermals, throw in wet-weather boots, microfibre towels, a dehumidifier crystal pack and an extra doormat to keep slush outside. For a comprehensive list, check out the full guide to what to pack for winter road trips.
Off-the-slope activities
Not every winter memory needs an edge and a wax. When the legs scream for a rest day, Australia’s snow resorts dish up plenty of side quests:
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Scenic lifts & alpine walks: Take Thredbo’s Kosciuszko chair for jaw-dropping views—minus the summer crowds.
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Snowshoe & XC circuits: Falls Creek grooms over 60 km of classic tracks perfect for low-impact cardio.
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Alpine spas & hot pools: Thredbo’s Leisure Centre hides a heated outdoor spa and a 50-m pool big enough for a mid-trip stretch.
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Food & wine: Book a long lunch in Bright’s pinot country or pub-hop the lakefront in Jindabyne—your road trip fridge can chill the takeaway bottles later.
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Festivals & events: From night-ski fireworks at Perisher to winter lights in regional towns, July–August weekends pulse with gigs and tasting trails—keep an eye on local “Snow Play” calendars when planning.
PRO TIP: Need more inspiration for non-ski days? Scroll through maui’s photo-heavy guide to 10 of the most stunning winter escapes in Australia and weave a few spa towns or coastal detours into your snow-season road trip. And if you’re dreaming beyond winter, the broader winter in Australia hub is packed with extra tips for extended winter campervan adventures!
Planning your trip: travel tips for Australians and international visitors
Before you flick on the sat-nav and load up the campervan, a little forward planning goes a long way—especially when Australia’s ski fields sit hundreds of winding kilometres from the nearest city. Whether you’re a local mapping a spontaneous road trip to go skiing in Australia or an international visitor building a bucket-list travel itinerary, the tips below will help you time the snow, book the right motorhome, and save a few dollars along the way:
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Best time to go: June usually kicks off the lifts, but July and August deliver the deepest cover and the liveliest event calendars. If you’re craving blue-bird days without peak-season crowds, aim for early September when spring “corn” snow softens by lunchtime—perfect for long laps followed by lakeside barbecues back at the camper.
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Getting there: Fly into Sydney for the Snowy Mountains, Melbourne (Tullamarine) for Victoria’s High Country, or Hobart for Ben Lomond. All three airports host easy campervan-hire depots, so you can grab your wheels, stock the fridge and roll into base towns like Jindabyne or Mansfield in four-six to six hours. Remember: from 1 June to 30 September, maui vehicles can’t drive the final alpine access roads, so plan to park in a holiday park and hop the local shuttle.
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Book early: Winter site numbers are limited and school-holiday weeks vanish first, so lock in your motorhome and powered campsite at least 12 weeks out. Early birds also nab the best shuttle-stop spots, meaning shorter walks in ski boots and more time carving corduroy.
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Lift passes: If you’re chasing multiple mountains, look for multi-day or “resort combo” passes like the EPIC Pass that knock serious dollars off day-ticket rates. Families can shave even more off the budget with parent-swap or beginner-area discounts—check each resort’s online store before you hit the road.
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Budget hacks: Travel mid-week to dodge weekend surcharges, share fuel costs with friends, and cook hearty one-pot meals in the van instead of dining out every night. Off-peak weeks in late June or early September still offer reliable skiing in Australia, but with cheaper sites, shorter queues and roomier car parks for your road-trip rig.
As you can see, Australia might be famous for beaches and barbies, yet each winter the high country flips the script. Whether you’re a family chasing gentle greens, a couple eyeing romantic spas or a crew hunting the steepest ski slopes Australia can muster, a self-drive snow safari unites freedom with front-row mountain seats. Ready to book in your adventure? Book your maui motorhome online today and collect from any of the convenient branch locations nationwide. Keys in hand, all that’s left is to fire up the heater, queue your favourite playlist and point the van towards a winter you never knew Australia could deliver.