Wednesday 29 June 2016

Falls Creek snow ski



Winter is coming and it is time for skiing.

There are some options in Victoria to ski in winter:  Lake Mountain, Mt Buller, Falls Creek, and Mt Baw Baw.

It is said Mt Buller is filed by touring groups and I have never been there.  I once drove to Mt Bawbaw, but there are too many sharp turnings on the way and the swerves made me sick, so I swore I would never go there.  I have been to Lake Mountain lots of time; this is a good place for people to play with snow, which I mean enjoying snow view, skiing on toboggan.  There are some ski channels in Lake Mountain and not many people skied there, mostly for amateurs.  But you need to rent at least snow shoes to be permitted to access there.  Lake Mountain is not far away from eastern Melbourne to Lake Mountain, only about 2 hours driving, so it is comfortable for one day return.  There used to be familiar lesson packages including entry fee and lunch and I like that.

Falls creek is a place for professional skiers and real learners.  But it is 4-5 hours’ driving from Melbourne, so I would like to spend several days there to compensate for my effort in driving.  I have booked a cottage off mountain months ago. Off mountain accommodations are usually cheaper than on mountain rooms. 

Snow gears, such as snow clothes, trousers, gloves, hats, goggles, are prepared in advance.  For beginners, ski, boots, poles can be hired instead of purchase.

There is entrance fee and full fare for a car is $49.5 on arrival, but if you book online, you can save $4.5 for one day.  If you arrive after 1PM, the price will be $22, after 4PM entry is free.


Snow pass card is a one-off cost which is $5, so what is it for?

“Your snow pass is a re-usable credit card-sized ticket that you keep on you whilst you are skiing or snowboarding. There's no need to take your Snow Pass out to ride the lifts - Electronic gates scan your Snow Pass as you pass through and automatically open to allow access to the lift.”

This can be purchased online or on arrival at:  On-mountain Ticket Offices are located in Slalom Plaza (at the base of the Falls Express Chairlift), in the Village Bowl (at the top of Gully Chair) and at all Falls Creek Sports outlets.

Lift pass is quite expensive and I saw many foreigners accused Australia’s excessive price for skiing due to this!  But anyway, there is way to reduce the cost a little bit; it is said in falls creek’s official website:

“Purchase 14+ days in advance for 15% discount off full price, purchase 1 - 13 days in advance for 5% discount off full price.”

Be aware, the 15% discount is NOT applied to Children, so there is no need to book in advance.

In addition,” if you purchase lift tickets, group lessons, or Children's Programs for 5 days or greater and you get the advantage of 2 rest days that you can use at any time. This means that if you purchase a 5 day pass you can use it for 5 days over a 7 day period. Lift Passes for 5 days or greater also include free access from 1pm the day prior to the ticket commencing.”

Snow lesson packages are more economical for ski learners.  For children age 3 to 5:


For children age 6 to 14:



Be aware, the snow pass is not included, but you don’t need to buy extra lift pass. You can order half a day, the afternoon session does not include lunch.

Sunday 24 April 2016

The most calm and poised kangaroo I have ever seen

I have viewed many kangaroos in Australia, but have never seen such a kangaroo, it was having late lunch, eating grass on the ground, lots of kids went over to photo with it, patting on its head or body, but it just ignore them and remained a composed and self-assured manner.

One day in Mt macedon

There is a famous Chinese poem:


停车坐爱枫林晚,霜叶红于二月花


Stopping in my sedan chair in the evening, I sit admiring the maple grove;
The frost-covered leaves are redder than the flowers of spring.

Monday 11 April 2016

overnight 12 apostles touring



Go straight to the 12 apostles via prince high way, lodging at the 12 apostles cottage.


Besides the famous 12 apostles, there are still some attractions to visit:

Saturday 26 March 2016

Friday 25 March 2016

Canberra in Australia

Canberra is the capital city of Australia, although it is not so famous as Sydney and Melbourne, we still want to go there for its political symbol just as Beijing in China.