Hi - Haven't been to Buller for a number of years but am heading up in a few weeks and see even more costs. What is the deal with this valet service? Is it mandatory? Are there cameras that will lead to a traffic fine if I stop my car to unload my kids and gear at the property. Sounds like a real pain and a cash grab.
If you don't have a 4WD village access permit, then yes it is mandatory, unless you wanna walk. You will be directed to the overnight carparks at Horse Hill. The parking attendant won't let you head towards the village.
you can walk, many do, but it is a good hike, not one I'd expect you would want to do with young children, so on that front, it is not mandatory. You pay a lot more for Village access, if your not up often, then it is cheaper to use the taxis, which are now around half the price of what they cost last year.
Not mandatory. However it's the most convenient. You could also: Walk. It's a fair uphill walk of around 1.4km. Roller bags make it easier. Downhill on the way back is also much easier. Unload kids onto the free Car Park Shuttle and just take the bags with you on the valet taxi (may have to pay excess baggage if there's more than quota) If you have backpacks you can ski! Load onto the Northside Express and ski to your accom, then on leaving ski back down the home trails which take you to Skating Rink or Lower Tyrol car parks. If you do this it's best to advise the attendant so you can ask to park in Lower Tyrol for ease of access. Also double check home trail status.
Fair enough, I was wrong. But given the circumstances, the most likely option. Didn't the RMB make the taxi fare cheaper anyways
Not good when you are Peter. @dnbreaksgal where are you actually staying, as that can make the walk longer?
i think you will find the child taxi fare is cheaper than the excess baggage... based on 2 pieces of luggage allowed per peson
Late at night last year there was a security bloke sitting in a ridiculously small 4wd near the village entrance. Made me think of that classic scene with Nelson - “are you making fun of me and my auto mobile?”. He followed us to the lodge to make sure we had the right pass, so I’m sure they’ve seen it all before. I have it on good authority that it used to happen much more often and in any car imaginable like a Citroen ds3 in 2007. Not worth the embarrassment of getting caught or crashing in my opinion.
The increase in parking cost for a one night stay Was a rude shock last week. The small reduction on taxi fares is far outweighed by parking fees. It was $88, increased from around $56 last year. It offers no incentive to stay a night on the mountain now as it's the same price as 2 days of gate entry. My warm cosy bed, luxe bathroom and a roof above me in a lodge cost less than my car’s piece of unprotected cold wet bitumen. I’ll be doing more day trips instead, unfortunately. Not so great for mountain accommodation and restaurant businesses.
Its a trick question. The answer is, you dont get caught as you are entitled as you pay lots of money and have a 'Grammar' sticker on your car and on your jacket and there's a better than 50% chance your childs name start with an X
