Wildlife Tours Australia Lake Mountain Snow & Chocolates Tour

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A snow day trip from Melbourne to Lake Mountain, Melbourne's closest alpine resort, with Steavenson Falls in Marysville and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie on the way home.

Days

10 hours, full day

Age

All ages; under 18s with an adult

Group size

Max 38

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Heated coach from Melbourne city pick-up points, driven right up to the snow

Meals

No meals are listed as included; chocolate samples

Route

Map of Wildlife Tours Australia Lake Mountain Snow & Chocolates Tour

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Included experiences

Lake Mountain — 3 hours of snow play
Lake Mountain — toboggan runs (extra cost)
Steavenson Falls, Marysville — short waterfall walk
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie — chocolate-making and tastings
Yarra Valley — scenic drive

Wildlife Tours Australia Lake Mountain Snow & Chocolates Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: MELBOURNE TO LAKE MOUNTAIN

After a city pick-up, with a last stop at Lilydale, the coach heads north-east through the green hills of the Yarra Valley, where Victoria's first vineyard was planted in 1838. Beyond Healesville the road climbs the Black Spur through forests of mountain ash, the tallest flowering plants on earth, with tree ferns crowding the gullies below. You pass through Marysville, a town almost wiped out by the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009 and since rebuilt, then wind up to Lake Mountain, about two hours from Melbourne and the closest snow resort to the city. There are no lifts or shuttle buses to wait for: the coach takes you right up to the snow.

MIDDAY: THREE HOURS IN THE SNOW

You have about three hours on the mountain. Build a snowman, start a snowball fight, or walk up to the summit for views over the ranges. Lake Mountain is a cross-country resort rather than a downhill one, with trails looping through snow gums whose smooth trunks are streaked red, green and grey. Want to fly down a slope? The toboggan runs need a toboggan access ticket bought at the resort, and snow clothes can be hired when you arrive (both at an extra cost). Never seen snow before? This is a gentle place to start. For lunch, the resort bistro serves hot meals, or save your appetite for the bakery stop on the way down.

AFTERNOON: HEALESVILLE AND STEAVENSON FALLS

Coming off the mountain, food is the first stop: the Beechworth Bakery in Healesville is a branch of the bakery that began in the gold-rush town of Beechworth in Victoria's north-east, famous for its pies and vanilla slices. Then there's an easy 700-metre walk at Steavenson Falls near Marysville. The falls drop about 84 metres down the side of the range in a series of cascades, which makes them one of the highest waterfalls in Victoria. The path follows the creek through tall forest, and in winter the water is usually at its fullest.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATERIE

The sweet finish is at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery near Yarra Glen, set among paddocks with views back across the valley. Through big glass windows you watch the chocolatiers at work, and free tastings of the chocolate are included. Warm up with a thick hot chocolate, or try one of the house-made ice creams, some flavoured with herbs and fruit from the garden. Then it's back down the valley to Melbourne, arriving in the city in the early evening.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Selected pick-up and drop-off points in Melbourne city.
Minimum age: All ages. Child fares apply for 0 to 12 years; travellers under 18 must be with an adult or guardian.
Fitness: Easy to moderate — walking and light activities. Not suitable for travellers using wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers. Driving is about 240 km.
Dietary needs: Give food allergies and any medical conditions at the time of booking.
Please note: Other routes may run in extreme weather. Please reconfirm your tour within 7 days of departure.

What to bring

1 litre refillable water bottle
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Warm layers: beanie, gloves, windbreaker or raincoat
Comfortable walking shoes with good tread
One small day pack (5 to 7 kg); leave suitcases at your accommodation
Cash or card for snacks and meals
Camera or phone

What is included

Lake Mountain Resort entry
Chocolate samples
Driver-guide and local commentary
Heated coach with Wi-Fi
Pick-up and drop-off at selected Melbourne city points

Not included

Snow gear and equipment hire — hire and pay on arrival at Lake Mountain, no pre-booking needed
Meals — chances to buy lunch along the way
Tickets for the Village toboggan run and Mini toboggan run
Transfers outside the scheduled pick-up and drop-off points
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Spending money

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

A perfect day trip to Lake Mountain with a passionate, helpful guide. The bakery, waterfall and chocolate stops were lovely extras, and we had plenty of time in the snow.

Avril Cox Verified· Travelled 20th August 2026

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