DINNER PLAIN ALPINE RESORT

In 1883 the road over Mt Hotham from Harrietville to Omeo was completed and in the years that followed, the horse drawn coach service used to stop at this picturesque alpine plain for lunch (also known as ‘dinner’ in days gone by).  This is how the name ‘Dinner Plain’ originated. One of the Cobb and Co. coach drivers from those days, was Mick Dougherty, who would entertain his passengers, keeping them as happy and comfortable as possible in the sometimes perilous weather conditions along the often frightening journey. His horses would haul the coach through deep snow as the wind howled through places like Mt Blowhard, Baldy (now Hotham) and beyond.

Dinner Plain, on The Great Alpine Road, is a delightful alpine village at 1570 metres altitude, about 10km from Mt Hotham Alpine Resort, a little over an hour driving from Bright or about 30 minutes from Omeo.   Consisting of over 300 alpine chalets, made of wood, corrugated iron and stone, they’re designed to blend in with the snowgums and alpine landscape they stand amongst. Open year-round and popular in every season, Dinner Plain offers everything from snow sports, snow play and sled dog tours to mountain biking, trail running and alpine bushwalks through meadows of wildflowers to historic huts and spectacular views.

Dinner Plain is a favourite for many who retreat to this gorgeous setting to escape the heat of Summer, indulge in spa and massage treatments at the indoor/outdoor spa (open Winter and January), to enjoy the many snow sport options or to simply experience walking through this snow-covered village on a moonlit night, to one of the village’s restaurants or cafes.

This village is also a great base for those wishing to hike the 37km Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing which is a 2 night, 3 day hike between the Falls Creek and Mt Hotham Alpine Resorts. Bookings are required for the tent platforms at both Cope and Dibbin’s huts along this trail that follows the Australian Alps Walking Track across alpine plains, snowgum woodlands, and sparkling alpine streams.  The 12.5km (one way) Cobungra Ditch walk is an interpretive walk following the course of an abandoned water race for mining in 1884.  It is best undertaken with a car left at the opposite end, as both ends of the track are accessed by the Great Alpine Road.

The Snow Park is where you’ll find downhill skiing and snowboarding on a gentle slope serviced by The Cobungra Platter rope tow lift with night skiing available Wednesdays and Saturdays when snow conditions permit. This is an ideal slope to learn to ski or board with group or private lessons available.  Tobogganing and snow tubing can also be found here. 

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are wonderful Winter activities to enjoy throughout Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain’s 35km trail network that includes the 12km Hotham Dinner Plain Trail through snowgum woodlands and alpine plains along an undulating trail with some steep sections. Equipment can be hired from local stores and there’s no cost to use the trails. For those using the trail in one direction there is a shuttle bus between Hotham and Dinner Plain (fee applies) that operates about every 30 minutes from 7am until 6pm daily (usually during July and August and less regularly for the rest of the Winter season).

For Dinner Plain snow related activities enquiries contact Mt Hotham Skiing Company on 03 5759 4444

Follow these links for:

• Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing
• Cobungra Ditch Walking Trail
• Dinner Plain Cross Country Skiing Trail Map
• Bushwalks around Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham
• High Country Back Road Tours Guide and explore this part of the High Country with some touring routes that take you off the main roads.