THERE may be no better place in Australia to celebrate winter than Victoria's High Country, where "cocooning" has been elevated to an artform and snow is literally the icing on the cake.
Travellers to the region's picturesque valleys, home to the villages of Mansfield, Bright, Beechworth and Rutherglen - and the snow-covered resorts of Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham - are rewarded with a choice of warm and welcoming accommodation, from five-star luxury to cosy lodges with blazing wood fires.
On and off-mountain, the amazing food, wine and craft beer for which the region is famous is served up at chef's hatted restaurants, cosy gastropubs, funky cafes, award-winning breweries and historic cellar doors.
Highlights of Victoria's High Country's new and must-do experiences include:
- At Dinner Plain, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, new Howling Huskys sled dog tours and the new Blizzard Brewing Company, the highest craft brewery in Australia.
- Snowshoeing tours and tobogganing at Mt Buffalo with Adventure Guides Australia.
- At Falls Creek, new Fatbike trails and Fatbikes are available for hire. Astra Lodge has been refurbished, offering luxurious self-contained accommodation, a magnesium swimming pool, hot tub and sauna. Also at Falls is a winter pop-up ice creamery, the return of Snonuts Donuts and, for something completely different, a Summit Sunset Tour where you can experience the High Country in all its glory.
- Mt Hotham welcomes the return of Yama Kitchen & Bar, the lively collaboration between chef's hatted Tani Eat & Drink in Bright and Provenance in Beechworth.
- The new Mt Buller Fish & Chippery in the Village Square Plaza.
- New luxury boutique accommodation for couples - 187 Merrijig - offering spectacular Delatite Valley and snowcapped mountain views.
- Follow the Muscat Trail and taste the internationally renowned muscats of the Rutherglen wine region.
- Discover the joys of dark winter ales on the High Country Brewing Trail, taking in award-winning craft breweries in Beechworth, Bright, Glenrowan and Mt Beauty. This year, three new craft breweries have created a truly regional ale trail - Blizzard at Dinner Plain, Social Bandit Brewing Co in Mansfield and the Rutherglen Brewery in Rutherglen.
