How To Have A Ski Holiday On A Budget

Ever wondered how to go on a ski holiday in Australia on a budget? When it comes to the snow, Australia does it just as well as the rest of them, and if the price scares you off, well – you just haven’t done your research…

If there’s one thing that really grinds my gears, it’s when people say, “It’s cheaper to go to Japan and ski than it is to do it in Australia".

Granted, flying to Japan (or New Zealand, or the French Alps) is an incredible way to partake in winter sports, but if you’re lacking in the time department, it’s definitely not the most logical option. Plus, as we discovered, it’s not actually cheaper!

Seeing the snow in Australia isn’t hard, it doesn’t take long, and it doesn’t have to be expensive, you just need to arm yourself with some knowledge before you head off to the slopes.

Avoid the chalets

Staying at a luxury ski lodge or chalet is one of life’s greatest pleasures, let’s just put that out there.

However, if your budget simply doesn’t allow it, it doesn’t mean boycotting your ski dreams and staying home. Do your research about nearby accommodations and decide what you’re willing to sacrifice. For example, would you stay in shared accommodation to save a few hundred dollars a night? Or are you willing to give up comforts like a bar and sauna, but need to stay in a private room? No matter what you decide, there’s a range of options available in Jindabyne. Located just 30 minutes out of Thredbo and Perisher, you can find something within your budget, in close vicinity to the slopes. Likewise, if you’re heading to Mount Hotham; Hotham Heights and Dinner Plain will provide a range of affordable accommodation options.

Here are our budget picks:

Thredbo YHA

Situated in the heart of the village, this comfortable backpacker accommodation is a short walk to the slopes and has a full kitchen to use throughout your stay.

Ski Club of East Gippsland

Ski Club of East Gippsland is just a 10-minute walk from Mount Hotham Alpine Resort and just over 2.5km from Mount Hotham, there’s also free wi-fi and a free area shuttle.

Sundeck Hotel, Perisher Valley

A family-friendly hotel with free brekkie, and only an eight-minute walk to Village 8 Express and Perisher Resort.

Arlberg Hotel, Mount Hotham

Featuring its own bar, bistro, spa and sauna, Arlberg Hotel also has no minimum night stay, meaning you can stay just one night if you like. It also has one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that sleep up to 12 guests, so families and groups don’t need to split up.

Candlelight Lodge, Thredbo

At the luxurious end of the budget scale, Candlelight Lodge has sweeping views of the slopes and is situated within a 15-minute stroll of Thredbo Leisure Centre. It also has its own bar and sauna.

Feathertop Alpine Lodge, Falls Creek

This luxe-style family retreat is just a 15-minute walk from Falls Express and features its own restaurant, bar and lounge – as well as some pretty decadent furnishings.

Organise your gear ahead of time

So many people fall into the trap that comes with being unorganised. Waiting to hire your snow gear until you get to the slopes means that you’re at the mercy of the retailers who can quite frankly charge you anything they’d like ($50 per day just for the pants and jacket in some parts!).

To ensure you’re not selling an organ to get a set of skis and a jacket, try places like eBay and Gumtree before heading off for the weekend. Better still, ask a friend to borrow theirs – odds are if they’re not planning to hit the slopes, their gear is just taking up room in their house!

Pack your own meals

Sure, part of the attraction of a snow break is the nightlife. The beautiful warming meals, the mulled wine – oh, and the jam-packed restaurants?

Yep. Some of your favourite ski villages just aren’t built to handle the volume of the winter snow crowd. Eateries in places like Jindabyne are often packed to the brim and for those on a budget, can be a little out of the price range. If you’re in a group, it gets even harder to get in to eat – so the best advice is to stay somewhere with a kitchen, prepare your own meals, brew your own mulled wine, and spread out in your own dwelling, without having to give the table back by 8 pm.

It’s also a good idea to buy your supplies before you make the trip, as the supermarkets in ski towns are often much more expensive because they can be.

Buy an annual ski pass, it’s cheaper

For just $1,249, you can buy an Epic Australia Pass . With that, you get unlimited, unrestricted access to Perisher, Falls Creek, Hotham and more during the season. With the annual pass, you also get savings on accommodation options, like 15 per cent off rooms at popular accommodation, The Station. You also get six ‘Bring a mate’ discounted lift ticket invitations to share, up to 25 per cent off lessons, discounts from food and drink outlets and free access to Night Skiing and Boarding.

Ski the smaller mountains

If it doesn’t faze you which mountains you ski, then it could be worth investigating smaller mountains. Mount Mawson in Tasmania is a small club field operated by the Southern Tasmanian Ski Association and is operated and patrolled by volunteers. Catering to the beginner and all the way up to the advanced skier, the snow field features three rope tows and four kilometres of slopes, which are included in your ticket price.

Book for the shoulder season

By booking your ski trip for the month of June or September, you could potentially save hundreds. Though there’s always the risk that the quality of snow could be jeopardised – so that’s something you have to take into account.

Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory. — Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park — Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space. — Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

4. Dine in Darwin

Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

A bowl of Laksa. — Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. Up close with Uluṟu

The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

6. Drive the Red Centre Way

From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT). — Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden. — Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com

How to have a ski holiday in Australia on a budget