Snow adds new thrill to an Australian driving holiday

THE snowfields are plump with the white stuff already, signalling a brilliant ski season ahead. Australia’s high country regions are as beautiful as any in the world, with their unique quality drawing visitors from all around the globe.

But a holiday on any snow-capped mountain Down Under is only half the fun - the other half comes with the road trip there, and after clicking up a DriveNow car hire deal in Sydney or Melbourne, the only thing left to do is to work out which snowfields you'll be heading to.

After jumping in a Melbourne car rental, Victoria has magnificent snowfield options. But most importantly, make sure you choose the right  Car Rental Snow insurance options, and check out such deals as Europcar's Early Bird Snow Package.  Hotham - 381kms from Melbourne - records large snow falls and is known as the powder capital of Australia. Falls Creek (387km) is the state’s largest ski resort and has consistent snow cover. Mt Buller (234km) has cosy lodges and luxury hotels from which you can ski straight to the slopes. Mt Baw Baw (177km) is the closest downhill ski area to Melbourne, making it a popular destination for day-trippers and Dinner Plain  (393km) is for those who prefer a less crowded, relaxed atmosphere.

For those happy just to enjoy the sight of snow, maybe some cross country skiing or tobogganing in Lake Mountain or Mt Stirling are more your thing.

The resorts all feature excellent accommodation, but if you prefer a holiday park, areas such as Bright, Mt Beauty and Wangaratta offer camping sites or cabins.

In NSW, Thredbo, which has the longest ski runs in Australia, is about 500km south of Sydney via the Alpine Way. Perisher, a five to six hour drive from Sydney, is a combination of four villages: Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Blue Cow. Resort accommodation ranges from budget to luxury, or there are plenty of holiday parks in the towns you pass on the way to the mountains, including Jindabyne, with its stunning lake views.

MAUREEN DOYLE

DriveNow Team

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