Our home of Falls Creek in Victoria is well-known for being a winter wonderland. But did you know that our mountain village is also a summer activities haven? Once the snow melts away and the sun comes out, you’ll find both locals and visitors switching out snowboarding and skiing for mountain biking, kayaking and trail running and swimming in the local water pools.
Our beautiful Alpine region – just 4.5 hours from Melbourne – boasts some of the biggest and best mountains, mountain bike runs and accommodation facilities in Australia. Read on to learn more about the most popular Falls Creek activities in summer and get inspired for your next warm-weather getaway.
Falls Creek has its very own mountain bike park, boasting 50km of picturesque flow and gravity trails. There are trails to suit all levels of mountain biking experience – whether it’s your first time on a mountain bike or you’re a pro. Throughout mountain bike season at Falls Creek (November-April) you can find multiple gear and bike hire services, along with spare-part vending machines to ensure you’re always ready to take on the trails. There’s also a shuttle bus available to take riders to the start of the high-elevation trails, along with workshops to help you get comfortable with riding in a safe and social environment.
PS: Falls Creek is home to Victoria’s longest continuous gravity mountain biking trail – so get ready for the ride of your life.
Falls Creek’s gravel riding options are perfect for those looking for a challenge, and to explore the boundaries beyond the official region of Falls Creek resort. You can use either a gravel bike or mountain bike on these winding trails – some of which can be linked together for an all-day gravel bike adventure.
Falls Creek is also the perfect place to base yourself for a Victorian road cycling adventure. Our cycle-friendly village sits at 1550m above sea level – so you can challenge yourself with distances and peaks to rival Tour de France, or fly down the descent to get your heart rate pumping. There are official cycling loops on offer, some of which take you through scenic neighbouring towns like Mt Beauty and Bogong, along with cycling challenges to participate in throughout the summer activity months.
Whether you want to do some serious altitude training, go for a stroll through nature with your family or anywhere in between – don’t look past visiting Falls Creek in summer. The landscape makes for one of the best nature experiences in Victoria; enjoy the cool alpine air and take in the beautiful snow gums, wildflowers, waterfalls and vast plains.
It’s choose-your-own-summer-adventure when it comes to the trails on offer at Falls creek. You can opt for a easy half hour walk to take in the scenery, hike for seven nights, or tackle the rugged alpine terrain on a trail run.
Most of the water-based summer activities at Falls Creek take place at Rock Valley Lake -- a 250-hectare dam not far from the centre of the village. It can only be described as pristine – with deep blue water made cold by snow run-off.
You’ll find holiday makers and locals making the most of this beautiful lake, with people boating, swimming, sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding during the warmer months. You can bring your own watercraft if you wish, or, conveniently, hire from local vendors on the weekend during summer.
Aside from the lake, visitors can choose to swim in the rock/water pools only a short drive from the village.
If you’re looking for a picturesque and unique location to cast a line, Falls Creek and surrounds boast the highest trout-bearing lakes in the country. You can fish at the above-mentioned Rocky Valley Lake, along with Pretty Valley Lake, where you’ll find rainbow trout, brown trout and if luck’s on your side – perhaps a chinook salmon. You can choose to boat to the middle of the lake or relax on the shoreline.
For fly fishers, you can enjoy an abundance of trout east of the Rocky Valley dam wall, and on the southern side. The deep, clear waters of the lake make for the ideal fly-fishing experience.
One of our favourite things about Falls Creek is the abundance of varied events taking place throughout summer and the year – including sports to spectate or take part in, music to dance to, stories to listen to and food to enjoy.
You can keep up with upcoming events via the Falls Creek official website here.
Once you’ve finished your summer activities at Falls Creek, it’s time to relax and unwind. There are plenty of top-quality cafes and restaurants within the Falls Creek village – whether you’re looking for a quick bite, something indulgent or a pub feed. There isn’t a better feeling than enjoying a beer or wine in the fresh alpine breeze, surrounded by picturesque mountains and valleys after a day of summer activies.
Here at St Fall Resort, the 1550 café and restaurant is open in summer – so if you feel like taking a break from all the fantastic summer activities – you can kick back and soak up the surrounds.
Here at St Falls Resort, we offer year-round luxury accommodation at Falls Creek. Book our deluxe self-contained apartments – ranging from a cosy 1-bedroom to a spacious 3-bedroom deluxe – perfect for couples, families or groups on your next summer adventure. Within our resort complex you’ll find a restaurants, a supermarket, and even a creche for the little ones.