Falls Creek: Why residents flock to this snowy oasis year-round

The alpine resort town of Falls Creek in Victoria is not only one of Australia’s premier winter destinations, it’s also the dwelling place of many adventure seekers, who beam with pride over the year-round outdoor oasis they call home.

Zirky Real Estate director Christina Smit says the residents of Falls Creek are a mixture of key resort employees, holiday-home owners and remote working families who have moved to the mountains to live among nature.

“Families who find themselves here greatly enjoy raising their children in a fantastic environment, where kids can be safe and free to explore,” Smit says.

“It’s also noteworthy that our local architecture is evolving to become heavily influenced by high-end European alpine design, such as Italy’s renowned Dolomites, seamlessly blending into our unique Australian environment.”

Smit notes that, traditionally, buyers were from metropolitan Melbourne, the north-east, regional Victoria and Queensland, but in recent years she has observed a significant increase in investors from NSW, and Sydney in particular.

“Despite the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country, property demand in Falls Creek remains strong, with a move towards domestic tourism activities and a drop in current, and potential future, overseas travel,” Smit says.

“Based on our sales, we have seen a 25 to 30 per cent growth just in the past two years.”

Resident Shannon Exelby, general manager for Traverse Alpine Group, had a roundabout journey to Falls Creek.

It involved a Queensland upbringing as a keen surfer, travels to snow-capped Canada where he met his wife, Tara, and five years living in Tasmania, forming a love for great food and wine.

Finally, he arrived in the resort town that perfectly combined these accumulated passions.

Exelby manages the operation of Astra Falls Creek – voted six times as Australia’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel by the World Ski Awards – and its hospitality venues, including Cloud 9.

The latter is in the final stages of planning for a $10 million redevelopment.

Exelby says Cloud 9’s footprint will increase from 250 seats to 500 and it will get a fresh architectural design with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and an open ski-in, ski-out deck for morning coffees and apres-ski.

“My day starts around six in the morning, as I throw an extra log on the Astra restaurant fire,” Exelby says.

“Before peace turns to a buzz, with guests arriving for breakfast full of excitement for the day ahead, I drink my latte on the deck and look up at the summit to watch the sunrise.”

One to watch

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1/1 Arlberg Street, Falls Creek VIC 3699

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One of nine abodes within the reimagining of the Koki establishment, this luxury residence with a grand living area is framed by the natural wonders of the Alpine National Park.