Scotch College

What goes on at Koomerang once the snow melts?

Words: Doug Draffin

This year’s ski season was one of the best for some years, with Koomerang members and their guests enjoying excellent ski conditions from mid-June through to the end of September at each of our four resorts.

In fact, if were not for the apparent tradition that skiing stops by the end of September, skiing could have continued into October, as there was still skiable snow at most resorts.

So what happens with Koomerang and its members when the season is over and summer approaches? Many members still take the opportunity of heading to our mountain lodges, to enjoy the higher altitude and the benefits of warm days without humidity, followed by cool nights.

But what is there to do in summer in the mountains?

Mt Buller

Small groups or families can book the upstairs flat at the Koomerang Lodge. This self-contained section of the large lodge provides all the necessities for comfortable accommodation, without having to open the much larger downstairs section and bedroom wing. In the summer, you can drive to the door of the Koomerang Lodge, and enjoy the mountain walks and other activities in the village.

Falls Creek

The two Koomerang flats can be booked independently, each sleeping up to eight people. Falls Creek is well known for fishing, the walking tracks from the village into the high plains country, and for the really fit, mountain biking and altitude training.

Thredbo

The Thredbo village remains open right through the year, with restaurants, coffee shops and the supermarket all open as usual. In addition, the Kosciuszko Express chairlift to the top of the main range is open every day. This provides access to one of the most spectacular walking tracks in Australia across the high plains country to the base of Mt Kosciuszko. In addition, there are four public tennis courts and a golf course right next to the village, and mountain biking, fishing and horse riding are available nearby.

Mt Hotham

We are optimistic our lodge will be demolished this season, in preparation for the construction of a new lodge (see below).

What is happening within Koomerang? The management committee continues to schedule the work required to keep the lodges in good condition for the next ski season.

The harsh conditions of a long and cold winter mean that maintenance work is always required to keep our lodges in the condition the members require. In addition, plans are in progress to further upgrade the Mt Buller Lodge, particularly the kitchens and bathrooms, during the coming summer.

The major project continues to be the joint venture for the redevelopment of our site at Mt Hotham. Ours is one of the larger sites designated by the Mt Hotham Board of Management, to be redeveloped with around 80 beds. A building of this size was not feasible for Koomerang to consider, and negotiations are continuing with a developer for a joint venture development. We hope these negotiations will be finalised before the end of this year so that the project can proceed.

The final result will give Koomerang under-cover car parking with direct all-weather access from the Alpine Road, and a penthouse floor of contemporary accommodation for the sole use of Koomerang members and guests. Great Scot will report further on this major development as it proceeds.

For Koomerang membership enquiries, contact membership@koomerang.com.au.

For more information on Koomerang please visit our website: www.koomerang.com.au.