Dinner Plain

Quick facts

• Population approximately 90
• 375 kilometres north-east of Melbourne
• Situated above the snowline at an altitude of 1520 metres
• Distinctive architect-designed village
• 10 kilometres from the Mt Hotham Alpine Resort.

Nestled between the snowgums and surrounded by the Alpine National Park, Dinner Plain is located only 10 kilometres from Mt Hotham on the Great Alpine Road. If you love a unique and relaxed village atmosphere, Dinner Plain is your kind of place. Architecturally designed to compliment the beautiful snowgums and history of the area, Dinner Plain is open all year round. 

Dinner Plain boasts all the conveniences of a modern ski resort, including comprehensive ski hire services and a ski school in the winter months. An extensive cross-country trail network meanders around the village with more challenging trails on the journey between Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham. Dinner Plain has a gentle downhill ski slope with poma lift for beginners with skiing and snowboarding lessons available. A regular shuttle bus connecting Dinner Plain to Mount Hotham several times a day. 

Dinner Plain is a cool destination all year round whether you want to escape the summer heat, experience adventure in the Alpine High Country, explore Victoria’s largest national park or maybe just slip away for a romantic weekend and spoil yourself at the Onsen Retreat and Spa.

Activities and attractions

• Relax in Australia's first indoor-outdoor Alpine Spa. Inspired by Japanese bathing traditions, Onsen Retreat and Spa will enrich, delight and restore. Indulge yourself with a massage or body treatment, or simply submerge in the Japanese inspired Onsen.
• Enjoy summer walks on the cross-country ski trails, Carmichael Falls and Room With A View. Trails to suit all levels of fitness. Maps available in the village
• Dinner Plain is in close proximity to some of Victoria's best trout fishing, so pick up a map of the local rivers or go on a guided fly-fishing expedition
• Saddle up on a horseback riding adventure, play a game of high altitude tennis or go cruising on a mountain bike
• Cross-country ski on 35 kilometres of trails around Dinner Plain or challenge yourself on the Mt Hotham/Dinner Plain ski trail
• Snow fun for everyone, on and off the slopes with snowshoeing, cross country skiing, tobogganing, snow play, skiing and snowboarding
• Ski the slopes of Mount Hotham's winter wonderland, a 10-kilometre bus trip away.

Events

• Cool Summer Festival – March
• DP Festival of Cycling – March Long Weekend
• Giant Easter Egg Hunt – Easter Weekend
• Geebung Polo Match – Easter Weekend
• Mountain Fresh Festival – July
• Mt Hotham/Dinner Plain 'Pub To Pub' Cross Country Race – August
• Altitude 5000 Sled Dog Challenge – August
• Winter triathlon – September
• Alpine 4x4 Challenge – September

How to get there

Dinner Plain is 375 kilometres or approximately 4.5 hours from Melbourne via the Hume Freeway, Princes Highway and Great Alpine Road. Take the Hume Highway from Melbourne, the Snow Road through Milawa and the Great Alpine Road through Bright, Harrietville and Mt Hotham. For an alternate route take the Princess Highway through Gippsland. Take the Great Alpine Road through Omeo and on to Dinner Plain.

Hotham Airport at Horsehair Plain is the highest commercial airport in Australia. Qantas flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne during the ski season. A number of charter operators also fly in year-round.
Christians Bus Services offer luxury 4WD service and coach travel.
Snowball Express offers daily services between Melbourne and Mt Hotham during the winter season.

Facilities available

• Onsen Retreat and Spa
• Restaurants, cafes and bars
• Supermarket
• Ski and clothing hire, lift tickets and lessons
• Day carparking
• Shuttle bus service between Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham