posted on July 11, 2024
Clocking in at around three hours, the Melbourne to Mt Buller drive takes you to the heart of the Alpine National Park in the Victorian Alps. Located 257 km from Melbourne’s CBD, Mt Buller is widely considered Victoria’s biggest and best skiing and snowboarding resort.
In fact, Mt Buller is the most accessible major snow resort in Australia, offering 20 lifts and over 300 hectares of terrain to explore. Easy access to Melbourne’s domestic and international airports makes a trip to Mt Buller Village a must for snow season enthusiasts.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover:
- Drive from Melbourne to Mt Buller
- Bus from Melbourne to Mt Buller
- Take public transport from Melbourne to Mt Buller
- Catch a private plane from Melbourne to Mt Buller
- How to spend a day in Mt Buller
- Frequently asked questions about visiting Mt Buller from Melbourne
How to get from Melbourne to Mt Buller
Still figuring out how to travel from Melbourne to Mt Buller? To reach Mt Buller from Melbourne, you’ll have a range of transport options, from hiring a car to booking a bus coach service or even booking a private charter plane.
Drive from Melbourne to Mt Buller
Driving is the most convenient way to travel from Melbourne to Mt Buller. Remember to refuel at Mansfield before you continue up to Mt Buller, as this is the last place to top up on petrol.
If you’re driving in the winter season, you must carry diamond pattern wheel chains at all times (regardless of whether it’s currently snowing or not). You can rent or buy snow chains at a number of places, including Mansfield, Merrijig and Mirimbah.
Be sure to check that the vehicle you’ve hired is compatible with snow chains, as wide and low-profile tyres tend to be difficult to fit correctly.
- Distance from Melbourne to Mt Buller: 235 km
- Travel time: Approximately 3 hours
- Best route: There are several ways to drive from Melbourne to Mt Buller, and the route you select will depend on what suburb you’re starting your drive in:
- If you’re starting from Melbourne’s North Eastern suburbs: Travel via Whittlesea and Yea
- If you’re starting from Melbourne’s Northern or Western suburbs: Travel via the Hume Hwy to Tallarook and then Yea
- If you’re starting from Melbourne’s Eastern or South Eastern suburbs: Travel via Maroondah Hwy to Yarra Glen and then Yea
- Ease of travel: The drive to the base of Mt Buller is straightforward, but the journey up the mountain to Mt Buller Village can be trickier to navigate (particularly in peak snow season). Make sure to check the weather conditions when you plan to depart and avoid driving in heavy snow.
- Cost of travel: All vehicles must pay for resort entry and parking. Day visitors to Mt Buller will pay around $64 per vehicle, while overnight visitors will need to pay $128 for one night.
- Perks of driving: By driving to Mt Buller, you can call the shots over your ski resort trip and even visit nearby slopes such as Hotham or Mt Baw Baw.
Tip from the author: Ensure a smooth journey by pre-purchasing your resort entry pass online, print your Resort Entry Dashboard Pass and display it clearly on your dash. That way, you can skip the queue at the resort entry gates!
Want to secure the perfect vehicle for your Melbourne to Mt Buller drive? With Turo, you can explore a range of rental car options suitable for snowy roads, allowing you to confidently set off on your road trip. Explore car rental in Melbourne on Turo.
Staying safe on the roads from Melbourne to Mt Buller
Driving in an alpine area for the first time? Here are a few handy tips and tricks to stay safe while on the road:
- Depart early and plan your journey ahead of time to ensure you know when you’re going to pull over for a break.
- Ensure you’ve rented or purchased diamond pattern wheel chains and you know how to fit these onto your vehicle if needed.
- Check your car has anti-freeze coolant in the radiator and that your air conditioning and demisters are working well.
- If you’re driving a diesel car, make sure to top up with ‘Alpine Diesel’ before driving up the mountain, as this helps prevent fuel from solidifying in cold conditions.
- Keep a safe distance from the car in front, avoid sudden braking or accelerating and take corners slowly to avoid losing control of your steering wheel in icing conditions.
Catch the bus from Melbourne to Mt Buller
Another way to travel from Melbourne to Mt Buller is to catch the bus.
There are a number of coach services and bus operators offering bus trips from Melbourne City to Mt Buller, each with a different timetable and some offering day tours back from Mt Buller to Melbourne.
One of the key considerations of taking a bus is this: you’ll need to pay extra to bring ski gear. Plus, there are often limited pickup locations and you’ll need to book online and have pre-purchased your ticket early in the season to avoid missing out on a spot.
- Travel time: Most bus operators will depart early (around 6.30 am) from Melbourne and will arrive in Mt Buller around 10 am, with a travel time of over 3 hours 30 minutes.
- Ease of travel: While a bus is a good way to get from A to B, you’ll have less control over your journey, will be limited to a timetable and won’t be able to extend your trip to other surrounding slopes.
- Services: There are a number of bus operators and coach services running trips between Melbourne and Mt Buller, including:
- Buller Bus: Offers day tours to Mt Buller, departing Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station at 6.30 am (arriving at Mt Buller at 10 am) before departing Mt Buller at 4.30 pm.
- Mt Buller Buses: Another day tour option, Mt Buller Buses depart early from the Melbourne CBD and make the return journey from Mt Buller later in the afternoon.
- Mt Buller Tours: A direct bus option that offers day trips from the Melbourne CBD to Mt Buller.
- Cost of travel: Depending on which bus provider you pick, expect to pay around $139 per adult and $129 per child. Make sure to check if this fee includes your Mt Buller Gate entry fee.
Take public transport from Melbourne to Mt Buller
Are you planning to travel from Melbourne to Mt Buller from June to October? If so, you might be able to take advantage of the V/Line Snow Coach, a public transport service running during peak snow season.
While it will require multiple transfers, this public transport option takes you from Melbourne to Mansfield to Mt Buller via connecting coach services.
This service involves three modes of transport:
- A V/Line Melbourne to Mansfield coach
- A Mansfield Mt Buller Bus Lines (MMBL) service from Mansfield to Mt Buller Village
- Plus, you have the option to add on a Ride Share service taking you from Mt Buller Village to your accommodation
Keep in mind there are strict luggage limits (32 kg per person) and restrictions on how many items you can bring (maximum of two items per person, with no item weighing more than 16 kg).
- Travel time: Approximately 3 hours
- Ease of travel: While this journey is relatively straightforward, it only runs for a very limited time (from June 7th to October 6th in 2024). Plus spots book out fast, meaning you must reserve your spot ahead of time.
- Cost of travel: A return journey from Melbourne to Mt Buller Village costs $121.70 per adult. If you’re looking to get dropped off right at your accommodation in Mt Buller, this will cost $138.90 per adult.
Charter a private helicopter up to Mount Buller
Looking for a luxury experience when travelling from Melbourne to Mt Buller? If you’re flying into Tullamarine Airport, you can secure a private charter flight directly to Mt Buller.
The catch with this option? It’s by far the most expensive way to travel from Melbourne to Mt Buller. MicroFlite Aviation offers private helicopters that seat up to 6 passengers, costing upwards of $6,000 one-way from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport.
- Travel time: 65-minute flight from Tullamarine Airport, one way
- Ease of travel: An easy and breathtaking experience, giving you an aerial view across the Victorian Alps with a chauffeur waiting at Merrjig helipad to take you to the Mt Buller snowfield.
- Cost of travel: $5,095 for 1 passenger or $1,545 per person for groups of 4-6 passengers, one way from Melbourne CBD.
Day trip to Mt Buller from Melbourne
Want to maximise your time in Mt Buller? From skiers to snowboarders, Mt Buller day tours are the perfect way to experience this top-notch snow destination. Here’s how to spend a day in Mt Buller.
Activities to Do:
- Skiing and Snowboarding: Hit the slopes with diverse runs for all skill levels. Head to Bourke Street for Mt Buller’s iconic beginner run or get your pulse racing at Little Buller Spur, one of the intermediate blue runs that make up 45% of the slopes at Mt Buller.
- Scenic Chairlift Rides: Enjoy stunning alpine views from the chairlift, with the journey taking 15 minutes each way. Grab a coffee or sweet treat at Spurs Cafe at the top of the mountain.
- Snowshoe Tour: Stroll through the Snowgums of Mt Buller with a snowshoe tour from Alpine Leisure Tours.
- Cross-Counting Skiing: With 9km of cross-country trails to explore, these easily accessible trails offer stunning views of Mt Stirling and the Bluff.
- Hiking: Visiting Mt Buller in summer? Explore trails like the Summit Nature Walk and Delatite River Trail.
- Tobogganing: Have fun with the kids in the snow at designated toboggan areas, such as Toboggan Park in Mt Buller Village.
Places to Eat:
- ABOM Café and Bistro: Classic mountain meals with slope views served in a bustling food hall.
- Pats Italian Restaurant: Enjoy Italian favourites like wood-fired pizza and pasta at this iconic family friendly restaurant.
- The Whitt: Fine European dining with gourmet food and wine, showcasing locally sourced ingredients.
Things to See:
- Village Square Plaza: A bustling area with shops and cafes, open from 7 am to late with free wifi, picnic tables and stunning views of Mt Stirling.
- Mt Buller Summit Lookout: Breathtaking panoramic mountain views, this beginner-friendly walking track is only open in summer and is an easy 4k return loop.
- Mount Buller Alpine Chapel: A picturesque chapel in the snow which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023.
- National Alpine Museum: Situated in the Alpine Centre on Level 1, discover everything from wooden skis to historic lift equipment and incredible historic film footage.
Accommodation options in Mt Buller:
- Budget: Try Kabuki Mt Buller, Terama Ski Lodge or Duck Inn Mt Buller, offering rooms for two nights for around $600.
- Mid-range: Try Hotel Pension Grimus, Mt Buller Chalet Hotels & Suites or Amber Lodge Mt Buller, offering rooms for two nights around $1,000 to $1,500.
- Luxury: Try Peak 105, Candoux 4 or Winterbrook Chalet, offering accommodation for two nights from upwards of $2,000.
Frequently asked questions about getting to Mt Buller from Melbourne
When is the best time to travel from Melbourne to Mt Buller?
If you’re looking to enjoy snow sports, late July to early August is the best time to travel from Melbourne to Mt Buller. If you’re bringing the kids to learn how to ski, aim to visit in September when the crowds will be lower (and you could score a deal for a midweek booking).
How to get to Mount Buller without a car?
If you don’t want to drive your own car, you can catch a coach service from Melbourne to Mt Buller.
Can you go to Mt Buller in a day?
Yes, there are many coach services offering day tours from Melbourne to Mt Buller Village. Keep in mind you’ll likely have a limited amount of time to explore the slopes, with tours arriving around 10 am and departing at 4:30 pm.
Which is better: Mt Buller or Mt Baw Baw?
If you’re looking for the best snow experience in Victoria, Mt Buller offers a huge variety of slopes and activities for kids of all ages. Mt Baw Baw is much smaller than Mt Buller and is closer to the airport, but Mt Buller offers more restaurants, activities and better snow conditions.
Do I need snow chains to drive to Mount Buller?
Yes, diamond-shaped snow chains are compulsory for anyone driving to Mt Buller during the snow season.
Final tips for your Melbourne to Mt Buller journey
Whether you’re looking to enjoy the Victorian Snowfields, or want to experience the beauty of the state’s Alpine scenery and mountain ranges, the journey from Melbourne to Mt Buller promises unbeatable scenery and diverse landscapes. No matter your travel preferences, you’ll find a range of options that include private transfer and bus services to get you to your destination seamlessly.
With plenty of detours to be made along the way and sights to see, it’s worth taking the time to explore at your own pace. With Turo, you’ll find unique cars you can’t find anywhere else, ready to be delivered to you from a local Turo host. Find your drive on Turo.
Keep the drive going and discover 12 of the best road trips in Victoria. If you’re heading back to the city, don’t miss the very best road trip itineraries starting from Melbourne.
Lucinda Starr
Lucinda is a Sydney-based content specialist and avid road tripper. Having travelled across Asia, North America and the South Pacific, she's experienced everything from glamping in a Yurt in -30 degrees in The Yukon, snorkelling in the open seas of Vanuatu and hiking the rocky alps of Kamikochi in Japan. She's currently planning her next overseas adventure, a toss-up between a classic #EuroSummer or a multi-day trek through Nepal.
