How the quiet alpine town of Mt Beauty is luring visitors back
Be it mountain biking, hiking, or in winter as a snow sports base, Mt Beauty is luring visitors back after the threat of bushfires, encouraging Victorians to holiday in their own backyard.
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Whether you’re a music lover or just looking for a reason to get out into the great outdoors, Mt Beauty is the hidden gem of Victoria’s high country.
The quaint town, just 30km from tourist hot spots Bright and Falls Creek, is enticing visitors back after the threat of bushfires meant businesses had to shut up shop days into the new year.
Residents and traders are bouncing back after a difficult start to 2020 and hope a tourism boost in the coming months will get Mt Beauty back on its feet.
With mountain biking, hiking, fishing and horse riding on offer, there’s no shortage of things to do in the town and its stunning surroundings.
And for those who are more interested in getting their music fix, the Mt Beauty Music Festival is set to return, running from April 24 to 26.
Duane Gardiner, who runs the Mt Beauty Holiday Centre, wants potential visitors to know it’s business as usual in the town and urged them not to be scared by what they see on TV.
“We had customers cancelling right up between January and April, people ringing that were due weeks after the fires hit saying they couldn’t come to the area – people due in February and March,” Mr Gardiner said.
“We’re telling them to make the decision a month before their trip but with the frenzy that’s being whipped up on the TV, they see what’s going on in Mallacoota and they think that’s everywhere.
“If people can make the effort to holiday local, that would be a big help.
“Put off that overseas trip and visit Australia instead.
“And if people were to bring their empty eskies to shop local too, that would be an amazing way to help rebuild our communities.”
Rocky Valley Ski and Bike Hire manager Glenyse Peacock said the town went from having its busiest summer in years to quietest ever in the space of 24 hours once the fires closed in on Mt Beauty.
She’s confident the town will recover — especially if more city visitors opt to holiday in their own backyard rather than jetting overseas.
“It’s very important, and not just for our town. I look at the broader effect it has on the whole country,” Ms Peacock said.
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“The fires haven’t just been in Victoria. They’ve been in three states and have affected huge tourism areas in each place, so it’s very important (to support these communities).
“You don’t perhaps think you’re doing much, but if you fill up with fuel, grab lunch, it all makes a difference.
At Seasons Cafe, owner Deb Lembke said community spirit was stronger than ever in Mt Beauty after a difficult few weeks.
“We’ll get through it,” she said.
EAT
• Stockpot
• Bombay Velvet Bar and Restaurant
• West Peak Hotel
• Season’s Cafe
STAY
• High Country Motor Inn
• Alpenhorn Holiday Units Play
• Fainter Falls
• Sullivans Lookout
EVENTS
• April 24-26: Mt Beauty Music Festival
musicfestival.org.au
• May: Feast High Country Festival
feasthighcountry.com.au
• June 6: Ski season starts