Alpine areas around the world have provided ideal environments for a range of sports, and Falls Creek is no exception. AAC Falls Creek encourages athletes to join as Summer Associates and use the lodge as their base for training or competing.
Altitude Training
At over 1500m elevation, the lodge is ideally located for altitude training for middle and long distance runners, cyclists and other endurance athletes. The lodge provides an affordable but comfortable base for athletes to realise the physical benefits of time at altitude. The cooler alpine weather also provides a more appropriate environment for strenuous training.
Running and Trail Running
Falls Creek resort and the surrounding Bogong High Plains provide a network of tracks and quiet roads over a variety of terrain as well as less developed trails for trail running. The lodge has become popular as a base for elite runners over the green season.
Road Cycling
Mountain climbs and descents are synonymous with road cycling. Falls Creek provides an ideal base for this training and is also the home of the annual Peaks Challenge gran fondo event where over 1000 cyclists ride the gruelling 235km loop with over 4000m of climbing including Mt Hotham and the torturous back of Falls Creek climb. AAC Falls Creek is a very popular lodge for competitors in the Peaks Challenge.
Professional cyclists and keen amateurs base themselves at Falls Creek for training and are welcome to stay at the lodge.
Mountain Biking
Falls Creek has an extensive network of mountain bike trails. The mountain bike season runs from mid November to late April. This includes several competions in XCO and Gravity Enduro formats. Lessons are available for beginners and more confident riders, with special clinics for teens and women only.
Shuttles operate every Fri, Sat and Sun as well as daily in peak holiday times.
The lodge is located close to the aqueduct access trail that leads to green beginner MTB trails and the Bogong High Plains. It's an easy ride down to Flowtown, Falls Creek's most popular MTB trail, and to the Village Bike Cafe which is the base for shuttles, lessons and bike hire.
Recreational Cycling
Trail
The aqueducts on the high plains provide miles of easy mountain bike riding for families. Other trails give access to mountain huts and more challenging terrain.
The single track trails that fan out from the village have really grabbed the attention of mountain bikers. If you love flow, Flowtown is made for you. There are also technical descents, challenging XC loops and encouraging beginner trails. The village aqueduct trail is as an easy family ride that also serves as a trunk connecting the other trails.
From November to April, Blue Dirt provide a shuttle service on weekends and other peak times to take bikes and riders to the summit and bring them back from the end of Flowtown
Road
Falls Creek is an icon of Australian road riding, home to the annual Peaks Challenge loop that also takes in Tawonga Gap and Mt Hotham. The road from Mt Beauty to Falls Creek twists and climbs for 30 kilometres of rewarding riding. From the Omeo side, WTF (Way to Falls?) Hill is a famed testing ground for climbers. For a less challenging ride, the Bogong High Plains Road (aka the Bogong Alpine Way) offers rolling high altitude riding between Falls Creek and the Eastern edge of the High Plains.
Gravel
The Bogong High Plains are criss-crossed by aqueducts, fire trails and maintenance tracks. These make for some awesome gravel rides taking in the alpine lakes, cattlemen's huts and ridgetop views.
Lakes & Streams
Rocky Valley lake is the place for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Australia Day weekend even sees the Dragon Boats racing on the lake. Of course trout fisherman also love Pretty Valley lake and all the streams of the high plains.
Wildflowers, Huts & Walks
By late spring the wildflowers are appearing. Picnicing, strollling or serious bushwalking all allow you to get out and enjoy this gorgeous display. The high plains are also dotted with huts, some built by cattlemen, some for bushwalkers and others for the intrepid souls who built the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. Some of the huts are fairly close to the sealed road, including the heritage listed Wallaces Hut. In some parts of the high plains you might even spot wild brumbies grazing.
Motor Bikes
If you prefer exploring further afield then Falls Creek is a great base for motorcycling. The road from Mt Beauty to Falls Creek twists and climbs for 30 kilometres of rewarding riding. Beyond the eastern edge is the tightly twisting Omeo Highway and the Great Alpine Road over Mt Hotham that provides one of the state's best touring loops. Or turn north and explore the fantastic road to Mitta Mitta and return via Lake Hume or Lockharts Gap.