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The world’s first rotating Snowtunnel is coming to Australia

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
An all-new Aussie invention is bringing year-round snow Down Under.

Despite boasting plenty of world-class ski resorts, Australia’s snow season typically only lasts three to four months each year. And while a winter road trip certainly has its charms, many Aussies still prefer the more enticing slopes of New Zealand and Japan.

But now, an elite team of action sport entrepreneurs is hoping to change that. After more than 20 years of work, the Australian start-up has unveiled plans to open the world’s first Snowtunnel Park in Melbourne – with a never-before-seen attraction at its heart.

Introducing Snowtunnel Park

Snowtunnel Park in Melbourne, Victoria
A pilot site for the Suntunnel will open in Melbourne later this year.

Catering to all ages and ability levels, Snowtunnel Park is set to become the ultimate winter destination – and you won’t have to wait for the seasons to change to visit. The world-class facility will operate year-round, pumping out more than 900 cubic metres of fresh white snow every day just beyond the city limits of Melbourne’s CBD.

There’s nothing artificial about it, either. Using a cutting-edge system created in partnership with leading tech firms, including TechnoAlpin and WSP, this winter wonderland is made from only water and air.

“Growing up in Australia, we all know how inconsistent each snow season can be. Our mission is to unlock the magic of snow and ignite a passion for alpine experiences for everyone all year round," says Scott Kessler, CEO and co-founder of Snowtunnel Parks.

Snowtunnel Park in Melbourne, Victoria
The first official Snowtunnel Park is scheduled to launch in 2027.

The park will feature a range of graded downhill slopes, an alpine play zone for family-friendly activities and modern lounge area complete with fireplace, plus a variety of food and beverage offerings. There will also be a dedicated progression program for everyone from beginners to experts, all guided by professional ski and snowboard instructors.

But its biggest drawcard? The all-new patented Snowtunnel – a colossal rotating tunnel spanning over 600 square metres – roughly the length of an average outdoor ski run. Designed to provide a constantly rideable surface, the 12.5-metre-tall structure features variable speed controls to suit all abilities.

The Snowtunnel
The Snowtunnel has been described as an “endless mountain" by its creators.

The brainchild of Scott Kessler (CEO), Daniel Portelli (COO) and inventor Darren Visser, the Snowtunnel was founded and designed right here in Australia. Aiming to bring the “magic of the mountains" into everyday life, Visser engineered their first prototype during the 2000s.

The team later secured patents to safeguard the design, giving them time to refine and perfect their creation. By 2022, Snowtunnel Parks was officially established and its first commercial concepts were underway. Now in 2026, this once-radical concept is coming to life.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Is this the future of snow sports?

The Snowtunnel
The rotating Snowtunnel mirrors the length of an average outdoor ski run.

Since its inception, the Snowtunnel has attracted global interest, with a range of international brands expressing both excitement and support. Early investment rounds proved successful, resulting in further proof-of-concept prototypes.

In another major milestone, the team has now secured a location for its global headquarters and pilot showcase site, just 10 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. Future locations in Sydney and Brisbane are also under discussion, alongside possible expansions into the UK, Europe and beyond.

Snowtunnel Parks map
Plans for international expansion are already gathering momentum.

“The interest we’ve seen from around the world since our reveal has been overwhelming," says COO and co-founder, Daniel Portelli. “By establishing our Global HQ and first showcase here, we are providing a permanent stage to bring this Australian innovation to the world."

Scheduled to open later this year, the pilot site will finally bridge the gap between innovation and implementation. In the coming months, it will serve as a showcase hub to demonstrate the technology’s commercial and operational power to potential partners, investors and even the public. By 2027, it will officially open as the world’s first complete Snowtunnel Park attraction.

But that’s not all. Tapping into the growing demand for passion-driven travel experiences, the company is also recruiting an exclusive Test Rider Crew. This lucky group of skiers and snowboarders will be among the first in the world to experience the Snowtunnel – before it becomes a global sensation.

The timeline at a glance

  • 2000s: First Snowtunnel prototype built and patents secured
  • 2022: Snowtunnel Parks launches as a business
  • 2023: Second Snowtunnel prototype designed and built
  • 2025: Construction of the first official Snowtunnel commences
  • 2026: Melbourne chosen as Snowtunnel headquarters, pilot site and launch location
  • 2027: First Snowtunnel Park attraction scheduled to open in Melbourne
  • 2028 and beyond: Sydney and Brisbane parks underway, potential international expansion begins

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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7 ways to switch off and reconnect with nature in Albury Wodonga

Credit: Destination NSW

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Switch the hustle and bustle for a weekend of birdsong and greenery on the border.

    Straddling the Murray River where New South Wales meets Victoria, Albury Wodonga is just hours by car or train (or even a quick flight) from many major cities, but it feels a million miles away from the everyday.

    Here, you’ll find a blend of relaxed country lifestyle and modern city amenities, where a booming culinary scene and vibrant arts offerings meet a rich Indigenous history and stunning natural vistas. Spend time amongst river red gums, wildlife-filled wetlands and winding waterways.

    Ready to roll on the river? Here’s where to begin.

    1. Birdwatch in Wonga Wetlands

    The scenic Wonga Wetlands along the Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, West Albury.
    Walk along Wonga Wetlands, looking for local birdlife. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    It might be close to Albury’s CBD, but Wonga Wetlands feels a watery world away. This former grazing land has been restored to 80 hectares of lagoons, billabongs and river red gums, and you can now wander three kilometres of walking trails as you spot cormorants, spoonbills, egrets and sacred kingfishers. More than 170 bird species call the wetlands home, thanks to the Murray’s cycle of flooding and drying, so pack a picnic, settle in at a bird hide, and pull out those binoculars.

    2. Explore the Murray River

    picnicers in Noreuil Park albury wodonga nature autumn
    Take a picnic to enjoy in Noreuil Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The Murray River runs between Albury and Wodonga, where locals swap desks and deadlines for shaded riverbanks. Less than a kilometre from Albury’s CBD sits Noreuil Park, the city’s favourite stretch of riverfront. Cool off on the famous loop float, hire a kayak, launch a stand-up paddleboard or cast a line.

    Afterwards, chuck a rug on the lawn under a plane tree, fire up one of the free barbecues and watch the water as you munch on some Murray cod.

    3. Take a sculpture walk

    Albury Wodonga Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk
    See the art along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk.

    Albury Wodonga’s three sculpture trails showcase the Murray through First Nations tales on foot or by bike. Along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, 15 contemporary Aboriginal artworks celebrate kinship and Country. The Crossing Place Trail passes the Wodonga Scar Tree, where local Indigenous people once harvested bark to craft canoes, and the Gateway Island trail tells you how the Murray sustained First Nations people for millennia.

    4. Get moving on local tracks and trails

    bike rider on albury wodonga nature trails
    Take your bike to Hunchback Mountain Bike Park.

    More than 100 kilometres of trails cross Albury Wodonga’s hills, reserves and riverbanks. Mountain bikers can tackle the championship-calibre descents of Nail Can Hill, weaving through eucalyptus forest where the rare crimson spider orchid blooms, or hone their skills at Hunchback Mountain Bike Park‘s 29 graded trails.

    Keen to explore on foot? Huon Hill makes the sore legs worth it, with lookouts across Lake Hume and the Kiewa Valley, while McFarlanes Hill meanders through stringybark woodland and rocky outcrops.

    For a slower pace, the 44-kilometre High Country Rail Trail hugs the shores of Lake Hume, crossing the red-pillared Sandy Creek Bridge before rolling into Tallangatta.

    5. Check into restorative stays

    Couple standing outside the retro inspired Astor Hotel Motel in Albury
    Check into one of Albury Wodonga’s over 60 accommodation options. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Some moments call for a boutique hotel. Others call for backing the caravan up beside the lake. Whether you’ve spent the day splashing in the Murray, furiously clocking kilometres on the bike trails or entertaining kids in playgrounds at the water’s edge, there’s somewhere to lay your head.

    From motels shaded by river red gums to lakeside holiday parks and boutique hotels, Albury Wodonga’s 60-plus accommodation options mean you’re never far from a morning walk along the Murray or dinner on Dean Street. But be warned: book ahead. You might not be the only one craving a weekend by the Murray, especially in the school holidays.

    6. Enjoy delicious dining options

    yardbird restaurant
    Enjoy incredible meals in Albury Wodonga.

    Every paddle, bushwalk and bike trail deserves a proper meal afterwards. Once you’ve swapped out your damp swimmers or your dusty trainers and start to sniff out a feed, you’ll quickly discover you’re surrounded by one of Australia’s richest agricultural regions.

    Unsurprisingly, Albury Wodonga’s dining scene is all about that Riverina produce. We’re talking Murray cod (of course) but also premium local beef from the valleys, olive oil from nearby groves, cool-climate wines and European-style cheeses.

    The restaurants, wine bars and breweries around Dean Street and Junction Square are all within easy reach, serving everything from modern Australian and Mediterranean to Thai, Vietnamese, Italian and classic wood-fired steakhouse fare. Looking for a riverside brunch? A comforting bowl of dumplings on a winter evening? Or up the ante with the vibrant flavours of Europe? Whatever the craving, there’s a table waiting.

    7. Get out on Lake Hume

    lake hume at sunset in albury wodonga nature
    Be sure to stay for a Lake Hume sunset.

    When you’re ready to dial up the solitude, trade the river for a veritable inland sea: Lake Hume. Just 15 minutes from Albury and Wodonga, it’s one of Australia’s largest water storage reservoirs. In other words, there’s plenty of space to swim, paddle and stake out a patch of shoreline all to yourself.

    Take the long way through Riverina farmland, stopping at the dam wall to appreciate just how enormous Lake Hume is. Cast a line for Murray cod, rainbow trout, golden perch or redfin and unpack a bag of bakery treats beneath the trees before launching a kayak into the vastness.

    Afterwards, stop by the Bonegilla Migrant Experience, where the remaining accommodation blocks tell the stories of more than 320,000 post-war migrants who passed through between 1947 and 1971. Give yourself time to walk through the preserved camp, stopping to digest the photographs, personal stories and artworks that reveal what it meant for residents to begin a new life at the edge of the world.

    Even if you’re exhausted, stay until twilight. The sunset is about to put on a hell of a leaving show for you.

    Start planning your escape into nature at visitalburywodonga.com.