What's so different, so special, about Dinner Plain?
Designed to compliment the beautiful snowgums and history of the area, Dinner Plain is open all year round and offers a choice of accommodation the mountain cattlemen could only have dreamed of. Located high in the mountains in the heart of the Great Alpine Road halfway between the Great Alpine Valleys and the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria. There’s bars, cafés and restaurants open throughout the year.
Relaxing by the fireside, exploring the bush tracks and trails, mountain biking or spoiling yourself during the winter months with a visit to the Onsen Retreat and Spa – there’s something for everyone.
Indulge in the unique experience that is Dinner Plain.
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Village Guide and Map Information
Be in the know - you can download the Dinner Plain Village Guide (PDF, 2MB) the Dinner Plain Village Map (PDF, 753KB) and the Calendar of Events (PDF, 1MB) here.
The Alpine Environment
Dinner Plain village is totally surrounded by the Alpine National Park, making protection of the local environment a high priority. Following is some information on some of the environmental assets in and around Dinner Plain.
Flora and Fauna
The Alpine environment is one of the most pristine environments in Australia. It contains a number of unique flora and fauna species.
Threats include the invasion of weed species, which can travel great distances on the tyres of vehicles and the underneath of footwear, and feral animals attacking local fauna.
The Alpine Bog
Alpine Bogs are rare in Australia; they can be defined as a permanently wet area of ground that supports a range of flora and fauna. Alpine Bogs are an iconic part of the Australian landscape and their health is an indicator of the success of environmental management practices. The survival of the Alpine Bog is threatened by development, feral animals, weed invasion and global warming.
Grasslands
Our grasslands are unique and unfortunately are under threat all over Australia.
Your local Council and DSE can help you identify native grasses.
Snow Gums
Snow gum forests take many years to establish and the growth rate of the snow gum is very slow. Many fauna species live in snowgum forests.
Snowgum survival is threatened by development and bush fires.
Dinner Plain Landcare Group
Dinner Plain village is totally surrounded by the Alpine National Park, making protection of the local environment a high priority.
In December 2004, the Omeo Landcare group welcomed members from Dinner Plain. Residents of Dinner Plain have now formed a sub group to enable them to concentrate on issues and activities for their local area, with assistance from the main group executive. These include partnerships with Forests, Parks Vic, Landcare and private landholders, alpine weed control, vegetation and track management and protection.
An online community has been established to allow sharing of information on projects, receive feedback on identified issues, etc.
Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria are responsible for management of the Alpine National Park. A number of publications are available to assist in maximising your holiday in the region.
Alpine National Park - Walks around Feathertop, Hotham and Dinner Plain (PDF, 1MB).
Mt Hotham
Mount Hotham Alpine Resort is just a ten minutes drive west of Dinner Plain and is connected during the ski season with a regular daily shuttle bus service.
Hotham in Winter
Mt Hotham's height, abundant snow and challenging terrain have always set hearts racing amongst powder hounds and advanced skiers. But now intermediate skiers have discovered the gentle side of this giant, with the recent development of the huge 'Orchard' area and its nine 'blue' runs.
Three high-speed quad chairs service this ski field, giving intermediate skiers and boarders a slice of Hotham - or heaven - that's equal to their more advanced counterparts. The new lifts also drop expert skiers right on the edge of the mountain's extreme skiing zone for an even greater challenge!
About 27% of Hotham's terrain is suitable for beginners, 36% for intermediate and 37% for advanced skiers and boarders. Cross country skiers have around 35km of trails and, if you're experienced, the annual Hotham to Dinner Plain race.
Hotham in Summer
Like Dinner Plain, Mt Hotham is in the heart of a network of walking trails, 4WD and mountain bike tracks, and is the highest point on the Great Alpine Road.
One of the most picturesque walks in the high country heads from Diamantina just below Mt Hotham out to Mt Feathertop. For those less energetic, the Village chairlift operates at various times throughout the Christmas-January holidays and is a great way of accessing Swindlers Creek for a stroll and perhaps a picnic.