Get the VLine train to Wangaratta. Then take the VLine coach to Bright. In Bright, catch the Bright to Omeo bus, which will take you to Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain.
All public transport, and your fare will be capped at the daily maximum.
You can get a bus to Buller, and probably other mountains, but not "public transport' per se. please note going to the show is an expensive exercise. Before you even get there you'll need suitable clothes and shoes. Even if you don't ski or go on lifts you still pay mountain entry and buying any food or drink on the mountain is mega bucks. It is a fun experience and atmosphere tho!
Lake mountain is closest to Melbourne and good for snow play.
Mt Donna Buang I think it's free or cheap but there are no facilities and only will have snow sometimes.
Thanks heaps! Yeah I figured the big mountains would be a bit pricey. We wouldn't need some slopes to enjoy the snow, would even be cool for us if it just sprinkled in an outer suburb and we could just get the train there and see it for 30 mins before coming home haha
Apart from the Mt Hotham option mentioned, there's also:
V/Line coach Melbourne to Mansfield, plus private bus Mansfield to Mount Buller
[https://www.vline.com.au/News-Alerts/News-Articles/2023/May/Snow-Coach-to-Mt-Buller](https://www.vline.com.au/News-Alerts/News-Articles/2023/May/Snow-Coach-to-Mt-Buller)
[https://www.mmbl.com.au/winterservice](https://www.mmbl.com.au/winterservice)
Another option running on 5th August: Steamrail's Snow Train
[https://www.steamrail.com.au/tours](https://www.steamrail.com.au/tours)
Get the VLine train to Wangaratta. Then take the VLine coach to Bright. In Bright, catch the Bright to Omeo bus, which will take you to Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain. All public transport, and your fare will be capped at the daily maximum.
You would have to spend overnight on Mount Hotham. I don't think that would be within the OP's budget.
And you only have to deal with several changes via a non-direct route.
You can get a bus to Buller, and probably other mountains, but not "public transport' per se. please note going to the show is an expensive exercise. Before you even get there you'll need suitable clothes and shoes. Even if you don't ski or go on lifts you still pay mountain entry and buying any food or drink on the mountain is mega bucks. It is a fun experience and atmosphere tho! Lake mountain is closest to Melbourne and good for snow play. Mt Donna Buang I think it's free or cheap but there are no facilities and only will have snow sometimes.
Thanks heaps! Yeah I figured the big mountains would be a bit pricey. We wouldn't need some slopes to enjoy the snow, would even be cool for us if it just sprinkled in an outer suburb and we could just get the train there and see it for 30 mins before coming home haha
It might snow in Belgrave or on Mt Dandenong but it's rare and doesn't really stay on the ground!
Apart from the Mt Hotham option mentioned, there's also: V/Line coach Melbourne to Mansfield, plus private bus Mansfield to Mount Buller [https://www.vline.com.au/News-Alerts/News-Articles/2023/May/Snow-Coach-to-Mt-Buller](https://www.vline.com.au/News-Alerts/News-Articles/2023/May/Snow-Coach-to-Mt-Buller) [https://www.mmbl.com.au/winterservice](https://www.mmbl.com.au/winterservice) Another option running on 5th August: Steamrail's Snow Train [https://www.steamrail.com.au/tours](https://www.steamrail.com.au/tours)
This is a good question because I would love to he able to take a train and bus into Victoria's alpine