Hi Guys,
I need to get 4 people (2 adults 2 kids) from Melbourne CBD to Mt Buller for our 4 day on the snow experience. This will be around Sat 8th July in the school holidays.
I caught a bus there 25 years ago, which started in Melbourne, then stopped in Mansfield then a different bus took us the rest of the way.
I'm not sure where to start, can anyone suggest low cost options? Note, I don't want to rent a car, I want us to be driven there, by bus/coach etc.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks @altomic.
Youch! Killer $472 to get 4 people to Mt Buller from Melbourne, does anyone know any other options?
We may have to rent a car and get the cheaper bus from Mansfield, but that's still $222.
Not sure you'll be allowed on the mountain anyway if you don't own a range rover sport….
Do you barrack for the dees at least?
The dees, I don't understand that language…..I might have to search Ozbargain for a Range Rover then?
last time I went to Buller I parked up on the mountain (a great many years ago). you'll need chains (easily purchased or hired)
Now this has me thinking, perhaps I should rent a car. Does anyone know if rental car companies allow you to use chains on their cars and leave them parked up in the Mt Buller car park? Also, I believe there is a transfer bus from the car park to the resorts, anyone know what this costs?
Yep, you can but you will need to buy snow cover. I used Hertz last time, but I think you can use Thrifty and others as well.
You need to pay resort entry fee per vehicle ($45 if bought online). The car park and transfer buses are included. If it's operating, you can take the Northside Express from the carpark but I think it's not suitable if you have kids or others who aren't skiing yet.
Why don't you just drive your own car? If the answer is you don't have one, an expensive sport like skiing is probably not for you.
Is there a reason why you don't want to drive up there? Is it because you're scared to drive up the mountain or you just want comfort? If you want low cost, then driving is the cheapest. Pm me if you want more info, I go up there every year.
P.S. If you have luggage, you can't hop on the free bus shuttle (carpark to village centre). I suggest you pack everything in one luggage, get 1 adult to hop on the taxi and the other 3 on the bus. That way you'll spend $45 (return) instead of $150 (return) for the whole group.
Thanks @garffi, I am open to driving if need be. I've just checked out a couple of rental cars, they're coming in at $500 to $600 for 4 days, so I'm not sure that's any cheaper. If I lived in Melbourne and had my own car/chains, I would certainly drive for sure.
What type of cars are you looking at? You don't need a 4WD, a hatch will even do unless you need lots of space. It's an easy drive up, roads are sealed and maintained well.
I've been looking at Camrys and Mitsubishi ASX both mid-sized.
is it really that much for a camry?
are you a member of an auto club or anything else that gives a discount at Hertz or similar?
They advertise at $32/day, then $22/day for snow cover, then a further $30-$50 for the collision insurance which covers the rental vehicle, plus other vehicles hit. Totals have come in at $500-$600 mark. No I'm not an auto club member.
The deal following says $108/day for a snow rental. When I did the quote, it was over $400 before any insurance was added and this they say is a special!
https://www.europcar.com.au/deals/car-rental-deals/snow-pack…
@Drphods: Get a Jucy Car, use a credit card with hire car insurance cover (most usually cover $5000- $6000excess, with its own $500 excess), get snow chains at the same time. Get Free Hotham lift passes while you are there. Feel free to PM me if you need any other info.
I don't get it? If you're not from Melbourne, why would you go to Mt Buller? Surely Hotham with its own airport and superior terrain would be the superior choice? Buller is solely used for its convenience to people from Melbourne, and acceptable facilities.
You are assuming I'm from Sydney? Perth.
@Drphods: I'm not assuming you're from anywhere other than Melbourne. I have a lodge at Buller, I go there because its an acceptable slope at its 3.5 hrs from home. But Hotham is a billion times better. It is also 6 hrs away, and you can't drive there after work on a Friday. If I was coming from interstate however, I would 100% go to Hotham over Buller. No, I'd actually go to NZ.
@Burnertoasty: Thanks for that, maybe next trip, this one has to be Mt Buller, due to our non-refundable flights and limited time available.
You're going to the snow so nothing you do will be cheap. Just hire a car and be done with it.
Are you scared of driving up a mountain? If you are don't be. Just make sure you are concentrating and ensure you keep to your side of the road which is a little bit more difficult due to the tighter roads. It is highly unlikely you will hit a snow storm while driving up.
One tip if you do end up driving: please please please use the slow car turn out areas if a train of cars is forming behind you. Nothing wrong with taking it slow but you need to be mindful of the fact that some people are a lot more confident driving up and down alpine roads.
Tell me about it, pay and pay again. 4 days on the snow (ignore getting to Mebourne) is looking like $3,000 or thereabouts and that's only with 1 day of actual skiing.
Change your flights to New Zealand and go there instead. WIll cost the same but the snow will be better! =p
One tip if you do end up driving: please please please use the slow car turn out areas if a train of cars is forming behind you. Nothing wrong with taking it slow but you need to be mindful of the fact that some people are a lot more confident driving up and down alpine roads.
THIS!! If you drive slowly and don't pull over when safe that is SELFISH.
Where are you from OP?
$3000 /4 is $750 each. Not too bad.
Personally I'd take a week off work and go for a week in August if your kids are still in junior school. You'll save money going out of school holidays and the snow will be much better.
Thanks for the tip. We're from Perth and our flights are already locked in and sadly, during school holidays are the only time we can go. When you put it like that ($750/person) it doesn't sound so bad. I guess I'm used to going to Bali, for $1500 for a week for all four of us!
I know it's not exactly what you're looking for, but… https://www.groupon.com.au/deals/ga-around-and-about-travel-…
Thanks, that's actually pretty good, I will explore this.
Does Costco have any deals in Victoria for Mt Buller or other resorts?COstco NSW has Thredbo and Perisher 2 day lessons, lift pass & hire for kids $149 ish & adult beginners for $199 .
I'd take the kids to Mt Buller if there was a similar deal.
http://www.mmbl.com.au/winter_service.php