Going to the snow is never cheap. But travelling with a family we have to be extra careful as costs multiply ridiculously before you know it.
For example travellng in school holidays the accomodation jumps 300%. From the ~$250 we paid for one night it jumps to over $700 for a night from 1st July. That's why we pulled the kid from school for 2 days and went today.
Second, travelling with a child we found that anyone over 12 yrs is treated as an adult when booking accommodation, renting gear etc. Lucky they dont ask for children's ID ;)
Now for the shock I got AFTER I had booked accomodation: THE SO-CALLED 'TAXI' FARE WAS $46 ADULTS AND $30 CHILD ($102 FOR 3 OF US) TO DRIVE US THE 1.6 km FROM THE OVERNIGHT CAR PARK TO THE VILLAGE. WHAT A %^*#% RIP-OFF.
I am not the first to question this ridiculous charge. If you google 'avoid taxi fare rip off Mt Buller' you will see plenty of examples from sites like trip advisor and backpacker forums.
Now, before everyone starts jumping on me with sob stories how the only have 3 months to make a whole years earning, etc, etc, which I totally understand, I would like to remind you that Buller is a National Park, the maintenance of which paid for with our hard earned taxes. If the government then wants to then lease out that same land and make money on top of it, that is not my problem.
I understand, and am happy to pay a seasonal surcharge for business owners on the mountain to make a living. And between us we spent another $500 for various costs and food. But for the so called management committee to fill their pockets, no thanks.
Lucky then that I rang the accommodation owner before leaving who gave me advice on exactly how to avoid this stupid charge, and I am writing to share it with you: WALK! It's simple that it's ridiculous. Here is how.
If you are near the day car park, the CSIR overnight car park, etc, simply walk up the main road up about 300 meters to the first right-hand bend, then turn left onto the walking path, veering RIGHT as there are 2 paths. Keep walking about 50 meters then turn right up another path. About 600 meters from there you will reach the main road to the village. Depending on where your lodge is you can turn right or left. It took us about 15 minutes.
There used to be a path up from the CSIR car park to meet the aforementioned bend, but they CONVENIENTLY blocked that off to discourage us to walk up, but the more adventurous can try to take this short cut at their own risk/abilities.
I need to remind you: THIS IS A PUBLIC NATIONAL PARK AND NOBODY CAN STOP YOU HIKING ANYWHERE IN THE PARK, INCLUDING THE AFOREMENTIONED ROUTE! That does not mean they will not try to discourage you. We had vans and 4WD cars circling us all the time like in those cowboy films, but nobody ever said anything to us.
Happy travels my dear Ozbargainers.
Walking 1km with full gear sounds fun.