Mt Hotham achieved a major milestone in tourism marketing, accepting the gold winner award for Destination Marketing for the 2017 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards held at Crown Palladium last month.
The award reflects the collaboration of Mt Hotham community and campaign partners working together to create authentic mountain branding through the 'True Spirit of Alpine Australia' campaign which was executed earlier this year.
The campaign positions Mount Hotham as Australia's highest alpine village with the most down-to-earth people, and conveys the destination as an authentic Australian experience.
It aims to demonstrate that the diversity of product and people is the key to creating the complete destination experience.
CEO of Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board Jon Hutchins said that the award is a great example of Mount Hotham partners working together to create a destination that speaks to its audience.
"We are very excited about the award, it's a great thing for everyone, all the stakeholders and for the whole Hotham community," Mr Hutchins said.
"The objective of the campaign was to create awareness about Mt Hotham and I think that's what the award helps us to do, particularly with government and others within the tourism industry, and there are great opportunities for Mt Hotham.
"We are now automatically nominated for the national tourism award for destination marketing in 2018, when you are in the game you have always got a chance, so we will just have to wait and see.
"We thank everyone involved for their support, it requires everyone to get behind the campaign to make it effective and successful," he said.
Check out Mt Hotham's Guided Bushwalk on Boxing Day
Mt Hotham's bushwalking season is here with the most comprehensive bushwalking program and tracks and trails network to suit all ages and fitness levels.
The mountain is home to an iconic range of alpine tracks and trails, with access to picturesque scenery, unique flora and fauna, and some of the region's richest indigenous and gold mining history.
Mt Hotham offers its free summer bushwalking program, which will kick off on Boxing Day and will run over the long weekends between December and April.
The Boxing Day walk will take you on the Mt Higginbotham Loop, a 3km round trip where you will explore the Pygmy Possum habitat along the way.
For the New Year's break, a second guided bushwalk on 2 January 2018 will see you explore the gold mining history of Brandy Creek Mine and Cobungra Township.
The Summer Guided Bushwalking Program is now in its sixth year of operation, a unique activity to Mt Hotham for visitors to enjoy.
Each walk has strong historical themes, where individuals can explore the gold mining history and learn how the golden era eventually transformed the region from wilderness to the resort we know today.
Mt Hotham's Tourism Information Coordinator, Jo Kortman, said that the tracks and trails offering at Mt Hotham was an experience not to be missed when visiting the alpine area.
"For those coming up to Mt Hotham this summer and looking for activities to do, I say get into it and get out there," Miss Kortman said.
"Take a short stroll and learn about the history of Hotham, take in some of the most stunning mountain views or set out for the day, deep into the valley and explore some of our historic huts and natural resources.
"We very lucky to be the only Victorian Alpine Resort to be running free guided tours, where our tour guides offer visitors with passionate local knowledge you can't find anywhere else," she said.
FREE guided bushwalking program
The Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board team wishes everyone a fantastic holiday filled with celebrations and fun times with friends and family.
The past year has been a tremendous one, with many mile stones achieved in the process.
We would like to thank the Mt Hotham community, its operators and everyone else who helped make this year a big one!
We look forward to continuing the Mt Hotham journey with you in the new year and we wish you a safe and happy holiday.
Cool Summer Festival is back and bigger than ever!
The Cool Summer Festival is back at Mount Hotham for another weekend of music, entertainment and festival fun from January 19th to 21st 2018.
The festival is jam-packed full of outstanding musical talent, from punk to funk, hip hop to ska and folk to roots, via good ol' rock and roll to suit a whole variety of festival goers.
Musical talent will include The Young Offenders, The Mercy Kills, The Grogans, Stiff Richards, Seven Ups, Murderballs, Big League, Liv Cartledge, Miss Hood and Carol George, Eric Parker, Benny Williams and many more.
Set in a unique location at Australia's highest alpine village, the crowd will be delighted with breathtaking views over the beautiful Victorian Alps, and can immerse themselves in the ultimate high-altitude festival experience.
Tickets are now available with a range of 1-day, single stage, and full pass options to suit everyone's taste and free entry for children under 16 years of age. Camping is also free.
Event Organiser, Paul Hughes said that the festival is expected to be even better than previous years, with a line up that is not to be missed and more activities for the kids.
"This year will be reenergised from our hiatus last year, but will include the same interesting mix of music. and we always prided ourselves on different genres, not just one genre of music, as well as trying to increase the family activities this year," Mr Hughes said.
"The kids will be able to engage in gardening workshops, music workshops and other skills. There will be a trampoline with ropes on, a climbing wall and we will keep the same great stuff in the past with music that is family friendly and, of course, the amazing views.
"It's unique in that it is the highest festival in Australia in terms of altitude, and it's a fantastic way to escape the heat and take in this magnificent part of Australia.
A highlight for us is the Vic state winner of the high school rock fest, Disgruntled Architect, which is a gypsie-punk-rock mix. We also always try and include a local connection, and we have a couple of bands who are well-known to Hotham regulars and locals.
For more information and latest updates including a full band line up, visit www.facebook.com/coolsummerfest/.
Buy Cool Summer tickets
Mount Hotham Sense of Place Project
The Mount Hotham Sense of Place project aims to improve the Hotham Central area through urban design works that improve the presentation and sense of place of the village.
As a part of this, the Board invites comments around the current design as a part of an inclusive process to discover community values for Mount Hotham and share of ideas.
A presentation and further information around the detailed design for Hotham Central can be found at http://developmthotham.com.au/publications-plans/stakeholder-news/2017112950197.asp .
Launch of Annual Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey
MHARMB have launched a survey for stakeholders and ratepayers around municipal services.
The Board currently engage in extensive market research in regard to guest experience and satisfaction with the Resort. However, the Board currently relies on its relationships with the Hotham Ski Association and Stakeholders to gather feedback around its performance as the Land Manager for Mount Hotham.
Driven by the Victorian Government's new policy to collect survey data on satisfaction with local councils, the Board has assembled a survey targeted at ratepayers and committees of lodges to seek feedback around the key issues of utilities services, costs, marketing, and back-of-house communications. This will be used to identify areas that require our attention.
As the survey is designed to be comprehensive, it will take up to 15-minutes to complete.
The Board encourages as many people as possible to complete this survey, in order to ensure that their views can be considered in future policy.
The survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HG7JLK2.
Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board
(03) 5759 3550 . mhar@mthotham.com.au
PO Box 188 . Bright, VIC 3741