How to Get to Mt Buller for your 2026 Ski Trip

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So you’ve planned your Mt Buller ski trip, or maybe you’re just heading up for the day. Either way, you need to know how to get there. Like all ski resorts, there are multiple ways to travel, each with its own pros and cons. The most popular options for travel to Mt Buller are self-driving, private transfers and taking the bus. 

Read on for everything you need to know about getting to Mt Buller this winter, including what you need to have organised if you plan to drive, when and where you can get a bus from or if a private transfer provides the best value for your group Plus, we’ll give you one bonus option, which, while not realistic for most of us, is perfect for those looking to travel in style.

Still deciding which Victoria resort to visit? Find The Best Victorian Ski Resort

About Mt Buller

Mt Buller is Victoria’s most popular ski resort. It boasts the largest lift infrastructure in Victoria, featuring 19 lifts (a combination of chairs, T-bars, rope tows, and carpets), and is also close enough to Melbourne for day trips. The resort offers several on- and off-slope activities, including skiing and snowboarding, tobogganing, dog sledding, a cinema, gym, and museum. 

It’s a great destination for a family ski trip, a romantic getaway with your partner, a weekend away with friends or even a day trip.

Where is Mt Buller

Mt Buller is located in the state of Victoria. The capital of Victoria is Melbourne, and the main international airport is Tullamarine Airport. Mt Buller is situated in the north-east of the state, approximately 150km (95 miles) from both Melbourne’s CBD and Tullamarine Airport. Making it an easily accessible holiday destination and a doable day trip for those short on time.

Getting to Mt Buller

Cheapest: Bus
Fastest: Drive
Easiest: Private Transfer
Most Extravagant: Helicopter

Drive 

Pick up points: Your house or nearest car rental store
Cost: Resort Entry costs $69 for a day, or $138 for overnight parking (additional nights at a lower rate).
Travel time:  Between 3 and 4 hours, depending on traffic conditions and route
Where to book: Find a rental car here

The fastest way to get up the mountain is to drive yourself. However, it’s important to be aware that you will be driving on an alpine road, and conditions can be variable. On snowy or icy days, the road can be treacherous, and drivers need to take extra care and drive to the conditions. 

The resort will provide an update about the road conditions each day and let you know whether snow chains need to be fitted; however, you must always carry chains, regardless of the weather, when you travel into the resort within the declared snow season (more on this below). 

When driving to the resort, you will need to purchase a resort entry pass. While it is possible to purchase one on the day from the entry gate, I highly recommend booking this online in advance. If you’ve pre-purchased & printed your entry, you can skip the line at the gate upon arrival, which can get quite long on a busy day. Weekends in peak season often fill up as well, so if you haven’t booked your resort entry, you risk being turned away at the gate. It’s a long way to drive to be told the resort parking is full.

Once you’ve made it through the resort gates and up the hill, you will be directed to a parking space. This will vary depending on whether you’re here for a day or overnight. The day parking is serviced by a free shuttle which will take you up into the village (car parks are a few Km’s below the village), you can also jump on the Northside express chair lift which leaves from the Horse Hill car park and takes you straight to the slopes. There is a small ticket office and rental shop in the car park, so you can grab your gear, tickets and head straight to the slopes without having to pile onto the bus. Although for beginners I would recommend the village shuttle, as the main beginner runs are around the village.

Those who are staying overnight will need to organise a “ride-share; this transfer service will collect you and your bags and drop you right at your accommodation. The taxi costs approximately $40 for a return trip for an adult, unfortunately, this cost is unavoidable as the overnight car parks aren’t serviced by the free shuttle, and the free shuttle also doesn’t allow luggage, even if you were to walk to it.

Melbourne CBD to Mt Buller

Approximate travel time: 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic and conditions

1. Depart Melbourne CBD onto Hoddle St (State Route 29) heading north.
2. Merge onto M3 towards Ringwood and Doncaster and follow for 22 km.
3. Take the exit onto Ringwood Bypass towards Ringwood and ST62.
4. Turn left onto Maroondah Hwy.
5. Turn left onto Victoria Rd.
6. Turn left onto Melba Hwy.
7. Follow the Melba Hwy to Yea and turn right onto the Goulburn Valley Highway. 
8. From Yea, continue on the Goulburn Valley Highway (B300) all the way to Mansfield.
9. From Mansfield, take the Mt Buller Road (C320) and follow it up to Mt Buller Alpine Resort.

Option 2: Via Non-Toll Roads (Scenic Route)

Approximate travel time: 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and conditions

10. Depart Melbourne CBD via Hoddle Street (State Route 29) heading north.
11. Turn right onto Heidelberg Road, then follow signs for Bell Street (State Route 40).
12. Turn left onto Station St, which becomes Albert St, towards Plenty Road (State Route 27).
13. Turn right onto Plenty Road, drive through Mernda and Whittlesea.
14. Continue through Whittlesea to Yea via Whittlesea-Yea Road.

1. From Yea, continue on the Goulburn Valley Highway (B300) all the way to Mansfield.
2. From Mansfield, take the Mt Buller Road (C320) and follow it up to Mt Buller Alpine Resort.

Tullamarine Airport to Mt Buller

Approximate travel time: 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic and conditions

1. Exit Tullamarine Airport via Airport Drive and follow signs to CityLink (Tullamarine Freeway, M2) heading north.
2. Merge onto M2 Tullamarine Freeway towards the M80 Western Ring Road.
3. Take the exit for M80 Western Ring Road and head east towards Greensborough.
4. Continue on the M80 and merge onto the Hume Freeway (M31) towards Sydney.
5. Take the Broadford/Strath Creek exit and follow the C382 towards Yea.
6. From Yea, continue on the Goulburn Valley Highway (B300) all the way to Mansfield.
7. From Mansfield, take the Mt Buller Road (C320) and follow it up to Mt Buller Alpine Resort.

Driving Tips

• Book your resort entry in advance to ensure entry, both day parking and overnight spots do fill up on busy days. 
• Always check the daily alpine road and snow conditions before setting off.
• Carry snow chains during the declared snow season (early June to early October generally). Fitting may be required, look out for the signs in Mansfield and Merrijig advising of conditions or check the Mt Buller website here.
• Fuel up before leaving Mansfield; There is a 24-hour fuel pump at the Mirimbah store with Alpine Diesel and unleaded petrol, if you’re desperate, however prices are typically higher. 
• Drive carefully on alpine roads and allow extra time in winter conditions.

Car Rental

If you’re coming from out of town and need to hire a car, there are plenty of rental options both at the airport and in the city. When selecting a car, ensure the rental company is happy for you to take it on alpine roads and ensure it is compatible with wheel chains – people often strike trouble with low clearance cars not being able to fit chains, be extra careful with Volkswagen and Audi. 

Private Transfer

Pick up points: 
Cost: Prices start at around $1,000
Travel time: Melbourne CBD/ Tullamarine Airport to Mt Buller 3 -4 hours, depending on road conditions.
Where to book: Find and book the Authorised private transfer companies here

Private transfers are a great, quick, hassle-free option for getting to Mt Buller. These are door-to-door services that will collect you from Melbourne Airport, Melbourne CBD or Albury Airport and deliver you straight to your accommodation. With no set schedules, most providers will be able to service any flights or pick-up times you request. However, the convenience doesn’t come cheap; this option is considerably more expensive than the bus or driving. While the high price may scare off many smaller groups, if you’re travelling with a larger group, it can work out to be good value.

There is a limited number of providers who are licensed to bring people into the resort village. These are Mt Buller Snowgum Express, Double Black Alpine and High Country Scenic Tours. Resort entry is included in the transfer price, and all three will drop you straight to your accommodation. Other providers can bring you from Melbourne to Mansfield or to the resort gate/car park; however will not be able to take you into the village, so ensure you confirm this before booking – if it seems too cheap, it probably is.

Bus

Pick up points: Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne CBD, Williams Landing, Box Hill, Glen Waverly and Coburg
Cost: Return Melbourne CBD to Mt Buller starting at $99 AUD
Travel time: 3- 5 hours, depending on the service booked and break times
Where to book: Book through the Mt Buller Website here

There are two main buses that can get you up into the mountains: the Buller Bus and the Arlzburg Bus. These services run daily and can be booked for one-way trips, return trips across multiple days or day trips. The services include resort entry and all allow for adequate luggage storage for regular suitcases, skis and snowboards.

BullerBus

BullerBus operates three services to Mt Buller daily (two on Saturdays), with two departures from the Melbourne CBD & one from Melbourne Airport (no airport service on Saturday). There is an early morning CBD service departing at 6:30 am, which is the best option for a day trip, with the return trip departing Mt Buller at 4:30 pm. The trip takes a little over 3 hours and costs as little as $99 for a return trip from Melbourne CBD during off-peak dates for an Adult. One-way coach transfers from the Airport for an adult start at $159. 

BullerBus also offers packages which can include lifts, lessons, rentals and even hotels. All transport options conveniently arrive and depart from the village.

Alzburg Tours

Alzburg Tours provides a transfer service from Melbourne CBD, Williams Landing, Box Hill, Coburg and Glen Waverly. They have one service to Mt Buller per day, which leaves the CBD at 6 am and arrives at Mt Buller at 10:30 am. A day trip starts at $139 for an adult, or a one-way trip for $135. Pick up and drop off within the resort is from the carpark, so the free shuttle or Northside Express will need to be taken to get to the village and slopes. The Alzburg can also organise rental packages, lift passes and accommodation (they have a hotel and rental shop in Mansfield where the bus will stop for a rest stop).

The Bonus Option

Helicopter

If you’re feeling a bit extravagant and have some extra cash to splash, consider taking a chopper. Melbourne Helicopter Group offers specially chartered flights from Melbourne to the base of Mt Buller in Merrijig, where you will then be chauffeured up the hill and into the village. Contact them directly for dates and pricing.