Climate
At Mt Hotham the snowfalls that ensure a persistent snow cover typically begin from mid-June and then continue sporadically until early September. The prevailing wind across the Bogong High Plains and Mt Hotham is from the northwest, and south-easterly winds (often associated with fog and mist) are also quite common. The average total annual precipitation (including both snowfall and rainfall), is 1494mm; and with temperatures ranging from an average winter min of -3.4°C to an average summer max of 15.7°C, it's easy to understand why Mt Hotham’s flora and fauna are well adapted to facing the challenging conditions typically found within an alpine environment.
Fauna
To date over 100 indigenous fauna have been found and recorded within the Resort! Mt Hotham is home to native Australian mammals, such as the Mountain Pygmy Possum, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Black-tailed Wallaby, Platypus, Short Beak Echidna, Common Wombat, Common Ringtail and Brushtail Possums, Mainland Dusky Antechinus, Broad-tooth Rat and Bush Rat and numerous species of small bats. In fact, it was at Mt Hotham that the Mountain Pygmy Possum, once believed to be extinct, was discovered within the University Ski Club in 1966. Since this discovery more populations of Mountain Pygmy Possum have been discovered within the resort and are carefully monitored for their conservation. Recently a second 'Tunnel of Love' was constructed to allow the possums to cross under The Great Alpine Road.
You'll also be able to spy a variety of birds on the mountain such as the Wedge Tail Eagle, Magpie, Kookaburra, Nankeen Kestrel, Superb Lyrebird, Crimson Rosella, Flame Robin and a variety of Honeyeaters. Mt Hotham is also home to numerous alpine reptiles, such as the She-Oak Skink, the Mountain Galaxias Fish and the Alpine Tree Frog. There are also a number of introduced species within the resort such as the Rabbit, Hare, Fox, Deer and Cat that pose a significant threat to our amazing Aussie wildlife.
Many of the indigenous species are further threatened by climate change. As such, Mt Hotham has been working hard to reduce its electricity consumption and it's greenhouse gas emissions and the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board have been investigating alternative energy production.
Flora
Between November and February Mt Hotham bursts into flower thanks to its rich alpine species diversity. The Resort stocks several books that can help you identify species as you explore, and a self-guided ecology walk brochure is available to help you identify communities of significance. With over 400 native species, many of which are unique to the Australian alps, it's a sight you won't soon forget.
Much of the flora within the Resort is indigenous, from the Snow Gums that dominate the upper slopes to the Alpine Ash and Mountain Gum which populate the woodlands downslope and the Snow Daisy and Horny Snow-grass that are common in snow patch communities. Historically, many exotic (weed) plants were introduced through cattle grazing and for soil stabilisation purposes. This, combined with more recent construction and development, as well as recreation and tourism activities, has led to an increase in the exotic flora at the Resort. Some of these exotic species have become invasive, such as Ox-eye Daisy, Grey Salix Willow, English Broom, Yarrow and Soft Rush. These invasive weeds pose a threat to the biological diversity of the Resort and as such, the Board conducts a thorough annual weed eradication program to combat this threat.
The Victorian Alps Nursery
As part of Mount Hotham Resort Management Board's environment program, the Victorian Alps Nursery supplies the plant tube stock for rehabilitation projects on Mt Hotham and at other alpine resorts in Victoria and New South Wales. The nursery has evolved after lengthy research into germinating and propagating alpine and sub-alpine species of the Australian mainland. This work has been supported by the Victorian government's conservation department and La Trobe University. Production standards were established by Elizabeth MacPhee, an expert horticultural scientist with many years experience in the production of high altitude plants and, Rebecca Read, the nursery’s principal horticulturist, continues to refine methods of propagation for alpine species.
The Victorian Alps Nursery is the place to go to get expert advice about your alpine re-vegetation project. Not only can the team give you a personal consultation, they can facilitate your plant order requirements. Find out more by contacting the team below.
Phone 0408151130
Email alpinenursery@mthotham.com.au