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Australia's relatively flat geography and mild winter climate mean that winter sports are not as popular as in other countries. The country does, however, have a long history of participating in recreational skiing and winter Olympic Games. The Australian Alps in New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria are home to the country's major ski resorts, which offer extensive cross-country skiing terrain. In addition to skiing, winter sports enthusiasts in Australia can also enjoy snowboarding, ice skating, and ice hockey. Australian rules football, rugby union, and rugby league are also played primarily during the winter and are among the most popular sports in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular winter sports | Australian rules football, rugby league, rugby union, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, soccer, netball, basketball |
| Most popular winter sport by attendance | Australian rules football (2.8 million) |
| Most popular winter sport by viewers and media | Cricket |
| Number of attendees for the most popular winter sport | 2.8 million |
| Number of ski fields | 3 |
| States with ski fields | New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria |
| Highest number of mountains above 1,220m | Tasmania (28) |
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What You'll Learn
Australian rules football
The rules of Australian football were codified in 1858, and it is believed to have evolved from early forms of rugby and Gaelic football, as well as possibly the Aboriginal ball game of Marn Grook. The game is characterised by its lack of an offside law and the inclusion of rules such as "the mark," where players who catch the ball from a kick are awarded unimpeded possession. Other rules govern how the ball can be handled, such as the requirement for players running with the ball to intermittently bounce or touch it on the ground, and the prohibition of throwing the ball.
The AFL Grand Final, held annually at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, is the highest-attended club championship event of any football code, with a capacity of 100,000 spectators. Australian rules football is the main code of football in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, and it is played at both professional and amateur levels in many countries worldwide.
In addition to being a popular spectator sport, Australian rules football is also widely played at the junior level, with most towns and suburbs offering teams for children of all ages and skill levels. The sport's popularity has led to the establishment of competition clubs and skills camps across Australia, providing opportunities for players of all ages to develop their skills and compete at various levels.
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Rugby league
The National Rugby League (NRL) is the elite club competition and features ten teams from New South Wales, three teams from Queensland, and one team each from Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand. The NRL Grand Final is traditionally one of Australia's most popular sporting events and one of the largest club championship events in the world. It is played at the end of the NRL season, which runs from early March to the start of September, and is preceded by an opening ceremony featuring entertainment and the singing of the national anthem. The winning team is awarded the Provan-Summons Trophy and premiership rings.
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Skiing
History
Locations
Victoria is also home to several ski resorts, including Mount Buller, which has the largest lift network in the state, Falls Creek, and Mount Hotham. Tasmania, the island state, offers smaller resorts such as Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson, which provide a more relaxed experience for novice skiers and families.
Ski Season
The ski season in Australia typically runs from June/July to September/October during the Southern Hemisphere winter. While the snowfall can be variable and inconsistent, there are still plenty of opportunities for skiers of all levels to enjoy the slopes.
Olympic Success
Australian skiers have competed in the Winter Olympics since 1952 and have achieved success, with athletes winning medals in skiing and snowboarding events. Notable Olympic medalists include Zali Steggall, Alisa Camplin, Dale Begg-Smith, Lydia Lassila, David Morris, and Torah Bright.
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Snowboarding
If you're interested in snowboarding in Australia, Thredbo is known for being Australia's best ski resort for skiing and snowboarding. Thredbo's terrain is perfect for all ages and abilities, with purpose-built areas designed for beginners to progress their skills in a safe environment, intermediates can enjoy Australia's longest runs, and advanced snowboarders can take on endless on and off-piste challenges, powder bowls, and natural features.
There are a few ways to get to the ski resorts in Australia. If you're looking for a scenic route, you can take a train ride through the countryside from central stations in Sydney or Spencer Street in Melbourne. Sydney has a direct train line to Jindabyne, the major station for NSW resorts. Alternatively, you can take a bus from the major cities to the bigger resorts, which will cost you around A$55. If you're looking to fly, there are internal flights from Melbourne and Sydney to airports closer to the resorts, but these tend to be quite expensive. Once you're at the resort, you can rent all the gear you need, with a wide range of quality brands available.
If you're looking to spend an entire season snowboarding in Australia, it's best to arrive in late April, as this is when resorts start advertising job vacancies.
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Ice skating
Ice sports truly took off when a second rink, the Melbourne Glaciarium, was built in 1906, marking the beginning of ice hockey in Australia. Today, ice hockey is a popular sport in the country, and ice skating continues to be a beloved recreational activity.
In addition to recreational skating, competitive ice skating, in the form of figure skating, is also prevalent in Australia. The country has produced notable figure skaters, such as Harley Windsor, who made history as Australia's first Indigenous Winter Olympian at PyeongChang 2018. Figure skating is an official Olympic sport, featuring men's and women's single skating, pair skating, and ice dance.
Australia has also excelled in speed skating, with Steven Bradbury becoming the first Australian to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in the 1,000m event at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Furthermore, the country hosts annual competitions like the Duke Trophy, encouraging interstate competition in short-track speed skating.
Overall, ice skating is a popular recreational and competitive sport in Australia, with a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. The availability of indoor ice rinks in major cities ensures that Australians can enjoy this winter sport regardless of the mild climate in most parts of the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian rules football, rugby union, and rugby league are the three most popular spectator sports in Australia and are played primarily in winter.
Soccer, basketball, netball, and cricket are also popular sports in Australia during the winter.
Skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing are popular snow sports in Australia. The major ski fields can be found in New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria.
Soccer is the most popular sport for kids in Australia, followed by basketball and netball.
Rugby league is the most popular winter sport in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. Australian rules football is more popular in the southern states of Victoria and South Australia.
