Victorian alpine resorts close to visitors

The Victorian Government has today that all of the state's alpine resorts are to close to visitors as part of its Stage three Coronavirus restrictions across regional Victoria.

As a result, visitors will not be permitted to enter the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Resorts from 5pm on today (Thursday 6th August) with breaches liable to incur a significant fine. 

During the stricter restrictions, permanent residents, seasonal residents and on-mountain staff are allowed to remain living within the resort, with stay-at-home restrictions applying to everyone living within the resort, who are only to leave their accommodation for one of the four allowed reasons, and only if wearing a face covering. 

The Resort Management Board will continue to provide core services, although there may be some reductions such as the frequency of road clearing and rubbish removal, the hours of operation of Reception and the Post Office, and whether there is a need for any medical centre or transportation services. 

The playgrounds at Mirimbah and within the Mt Buller Village have been closed.

The Victorian Government has confirmed:

• The on-mountain supermarket can continue to operate;
• Takeaway food and beverage outlets can continue to operate;
• People living within the resort can continue to exercise outdoors including cross country skiing; and
• Ski lifts cannot operate.

Following this updated government direction this morning Buller Ski Lifts has confirmed lift operations and related services including Ski & Snowboard School will be suspended at 5pm today for the duration of the Stage 3 restrictions in Victoria. 

It is possible, public health restrictions and snow conditions permitting, that the ski area may be able to reopen after 13th September. 

Mt Buller image courtesy of Andrew Railton.