Dinner Plain

Dinner Plain is a picturesque alpine village in Victoria’s High Country, whose history dates back over a century when cattlemen stopped to rest and feed their stock, as there was an abundant aquifer fed water supply.

Sitting at 1570M and above the snowline, just 13km from the summit and the ski runs of Mt Hotham, visitors can self-drive or catch the shuttle bus to the peaks, to ski or for après-ski fun. The village has its own beginner’s poma run with tow, and the laid-back village atmosphere is perfect for skiers or those just wanting an alpine experience.

In Dinner Plain village, the winding streets are lined with charming timber, and stone-built chalets and luxury houses dotted amongst the snow gums. The town also has a vibrant social life with fireside bars, gourmet restaurants, craft brewery, and shops selling everything from Sauvignon Blanc to sausages, or ski gear. In addition, there is the most expensive day spa to be constructed in regional Australia.

Despite having a permanent population under 250, the town boasts over 200 lodges and chalets to accommodate the seasonal winter visitors which swells to 2000 people in winter. Dinner Plain offers activities in summer including bush-walking and hiking, fishing, horse-riding, tennis and mountain bike riding.

Each summer season the Geebung Polo Club has a famous Polo match where the Cattlemen take on the city slickers, known as the “Cuff and Collars” team, with thousands cheering on from the sidelines. The inspiration is drawn from Australia’s legendary bush poet, Banjo Patterson, who wrote an anthology of poems about the High Country back in the late 1800s. The most famous include The Man From Snowy River and Clancy of the Overflow.

The Man from Snowy River was made into a movie in 1982, starring Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Jack Thompson and Sigrid Thornton, with a sequel released in 1988. Filming in and around Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham, the movies – based on the poem – seamlessly weave in cattle rustling, gold discoveries, intrigue and drama.

The Dinner Plain Hotel is legendary, with an al-fresco area for warmer days, and roaring log fires for long winter nights. Next door is a fully equipped Spa Centre to ease aching limbs after skiing, complete with hot soaking pools.

Built from the ground up in the ’80s, the resort town is easily accessible by a 3.5-hour drive from Melbourne, or via a 55-minute flight from Melbourne. There is a fully serviced Ramada Resort, private rentals available, and myriad accommodation options.

Many residents of nearby Melbourne own chalets here, and interstate or overseas guests beguiled by the alpine life often make snap purchase decisions while staying at Dinner Plain.

The visionary who bought the land package and developed it into a town many decades ago, still has prime real estate space, with a large office overlooking the village square, and is a well-known figure around the region. You can browse quaint chalets in the agency window, or take a tour, and inspect properties from 1 bedroom cottages to 6 bedroom stately homes.

Contact the developer John Castran, who knows Dinner Plain better than anyone.