Camping
There is a small camping area one kilometre inside the park boundary and several kilometres below the summit. There are 6 un-powered sites that are suitable for tents or campervans, flush toilet, drinking water and a lookout. A shelter shed provides relief from rain.
There are no other camping facilities in the national park. Remote bush camping is permitted anywhere in the park but not within 500 metres of any road. Fuel stoves should be used by campers.
Alpine Village
The Alpine Village is located at the foot of the ski slopes, about 4.5 kilometres from the top of Jacobs ladder. There is a car park and public toilet facilities at the village and a public day shelter on the ski fields. This shelter has heating but there are no cooking facilities. There are a number of other facilities at the Alpine Village, as outlined below.
Accommodation
The Creek Inn on Ben Lomond operates a licensed restaurant and 6 accommodation units (one suitable for disabled). These are generally heavily booked when there are suitable weekend skiing conditions. Bookings for other tourist accommodation can also be made through the Creek Inn - for bookings please telephone 6390 6199. The Inn is open 365 days a year.
There are several lodges in the alpine village area and these are owned either privately or by alpine clubs. Usage is generally restricted to members and their guests.
Winter Snow on Ben Lomond
(Photo by Grant Dixon)
Skiing
The ski season generally starts early July and closes late September. However, the extent of the season is variable. Snow falls on average one day in four during July and August.
A snow report is available online at www.ski.com.au/reports/australia/tas/benlomond.
There are 6 ski lifts on the down hill slopes - 3 T-Bars and 3 Poma lifts. There is ski, snowboard and toboggan hire, as well as instruction and sales and a kiosk at the alpine village. These facilities only operate in the snow season.
First aid and locker storage facilities are available in the village. First aid is administered from the Ski Patrol Building at the base of the summit ski run.
Park Entry Fees
During the ski season, park entry fees can be purchased at an entry booth situated below Jacobs Ladder. If the booth is not staffed, entry fees can be obtained at the Creek Inn.
Day Walks
From Carr Villa a spectacular walk will lead
you onto the summit. (Photo by Steve Johnson)
Important! Before planning any walks, check the weather.
A good map is essential.
While skiing is the activity that attracts most visitors to this national park, there are a variety of other activities that can be enjoyed.
Being able to drive to the plateau, visitors can readily enjoy striking mountain top features such as dolerite columns and scree slopes. The vegetation of Ben Lomond is different to other parts of Tasmania and, in the summer months, the alpine wildflowers are a delight.
There are two cross country ski routes which are also used as walking routes. They are not formed trails but are marked by snow poles:
Carr Villa to Alpine Village
This walk takes approximately 1.5 hours one way with steep gradients up the side of the plateau. The route takes you up onto the plateau and then along the plateau to the highest point.
Alpine Village to Little Hell
This walk takes about 1.5 hours return. From the top of Little Hell there are views across the southern part of the plateau to Stacks Bluff.
Safety
The weather can change readily at any time of the year and low cloud can make it impossible to see more than an arms-length ahead. Be prepared. Always carry a water and windproof coat. If venturing off-track, a map, compass and navigation skills are essential.
All walkers and cross-country skiers should register details of their trip at the alpine village, where there is a self-registration booth. Make sure to de-register on your return.
Maps
1:25 000 series Giblin and Stacks
Ben Lomond Plateau Ski and Walk Map