The Astra Story
Astra Falls Creek has a storied history, true alpine heritage, and some colourful characters in its past who continue to inform its journey today and into the future.
In 1986 Falls Creek local Roy Morris commissioned Melbourne Architect Len Hayball, from Hayball Leonard Stent, and sent a brief for a new hotel to be named “Astra Lodge”. Stent enlisted the skills of fellow architect Grant Amon, who undertook the position of project architect and principal designer.
Grant drew on his Austrian heritage and local Alpine experience for the job. The distinctive sloping curved roof form, barrel vault entry and protecting eaves all combined to create a unique alpine design that won awards, raising the bar for the standard accommodation in Falls Creek resort.
Rosy Seaton acquired “Astra Lodge” in 2014 and more befitting of a modern hotel, renamed it just Astra. Rosy with Grant Amon Architects completed major renovations and new builds in 2015, 2016 and 2017, which included a new Day Spa, Library, Wine Cellar, Custom Boot Fitting facility and building six new apartments plus a state of the art Boot Room. Astra Bar and Restaurant were also modernised but still retained its Alpine charm that guests have always loved. The revitalised Astra welcomed its first guests in the 2017 snow season.
Today, Astra is the jewel in the crown for Rosy’s expanding hospitality business, Traverse Alpine Group (TAG). TAG runs hospitality venues all across north-eastern Victoria and the High Country Region. In keeping with its award-winning tradition, the contemporary incarnation of Astra Falls Creek has been crowned “Best Boutique Ski Hotel Australia” for eight consecutive years by the World Ski Awards.
These accolades are just one of the ways we know that we are providing an outstanding service for our Astra Family. We are delighted that this recognition shines a light on our wonderful team at Astra and Traverse Alpine Group.
We are honoured to announce that Astra Day Spa has been awarded Luxury Ski Resort Spa 2023.
A huge thank you to the Astra Day Spa Team for creating such an inviting and relaxing sanctuary for guests at Falls Creek.
We are thrilled to announce that Astra Falls Creek has been awarded 3 goblets at Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards for 2022 and 2023.
In 2023 judges noted:
“Astra knows it clientele well catering for wine buffs who admire some of the great names of the international wine world – Foradori, Vega Sicilia, Jadot, Margaux, Palmer, etc. – while also providing a
smart selection of wines that simply meet the good drinking criteria that many of us want. There is choice aplenty on this 600-wine listing which explores Australia, including the ‘local’ wine territory of North-East Victoria, and Europe. Some of the most exciting names are those close by, situated in the Beechworth and Alpine Valleys, while some of the most surprising come from ‘alternative’ grape varieties and ‘other reds’ scattered throughout this list. And definitely take a tour of the newly re-excavated cellar carved into the east-facing sandstone flank of Falls Creek on your to do list when you visit.”
In 2022 judges noted:
“Matt Cridge has curated a marvelous wine list, perfectly pitched to the Fall Creek crowd. Local wines feature strongly with Giaconda to the fore. That said, the roundup of benchmark Australian wines is compelling seamlessly augmented by a roundup of vinous highlights from across the globe. Being snowed-in would not be bad with this enticing wine list in your hand.”
Traverse Alpine Group runs hospitality venues all across north-eastern Victoria and the high country and rewards staff for their commitment to excellence.
The guiding hand at TAG belongs to Albury-born Rosy Seaton, the successful hospitality entrepreneur behind the award-winning Astra, Falls Creek, the revitalized Boat Shed at Lake Hume, Cloud 9 Falls Creek, Frying Pan Inn and Elm Dining +The Yard in Bright. With Rosy overseeing the operation, Astra offers visitors a chic guest experience that also reflects her passion for the region.
Cass comes to TAG with more than 2 decades of experience in the hospitality and wine industries.
Growing up in Germany, Cass began her hospitality journey in beer gardens, carrying big steins. Since her humble beginnings, her journey has taken her around the world, managing many 5 star hotels and hatted restaurants.
Since moving to Australia 6 years ago Cass has swapped the private Island of Hayman on Australia’s picturesque Great Barrier Reef, for the snow capped mountains of Falls Creek.
With a love of food, wine and cheese and a passion for creating a memorable holiday experience for guests, we are thrilled to have Cass’s enthusiasm and professionalism lighting the way.
Sam joined the Traverse Alpine Group family more than 3 years ago, after more than a decade of experience in hotels and events.
With a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Sam is an integral part of the Astra Family. Her attention to detail and high levels of organisation ensures that every guest who arrives at Astra Falls Creek has an exceptional snow holiday.
On her days off, you will find Sam at the Astra Bar with an Amaretto Sour and cheese board, out skiing the slopes, or talking about all the dog sitting she does in the off season.
Astra’s Head Chef Monica Melendez has always been drawn to the food industry, a passion she inherited from her family. Growing up in Southeast Victoria, Monica found herself from a young age happiest in the kitchen with her grandmother. Her love of cooking was firmly embedded during her childhood and Monica could not wait to secure her first job as a kitchen hand at her local Italian Restaurant. With a firm understanding of what hard work, combined with talent and creativity could achieve, Mon was offered a second-year apprenticeship with Neil Perry at Two Hatted Rosetta Restaurant. Here she began to define her palate and hone her skills. Rosetta taught Monica one of her guiding principles, that superior quality ingredients prepared simply and with attention to detail will always shine through.
Monica’s journey continued, taking her to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Dishes were extremely intricate and provided Mon with an excellent taste of basic level gastronomy. After Dinner Monica continued to grow her culinary journey by travelling throughout Asia and Japan.
In 2020, Monica joined the Traverse Alpine Group (TAG) team as Astra Chef de partie. Monica was mentored and worked alongside several Head Chefs at Astra, Elm Dining, Bright and Huski Kitchen. Over the last 3 years, Mon has established her own style, and is ready to feed and nourish guests for Winter 2023.
“What I love most about being a chef is the camaraderie in the kitchen and sharing my passion for food with like-minded people. I enjoy seeing guests getting excited when experiencing our food, it is just one of the most fulfilling feelings!”
For Winter 2023, Astra’s guests can expect total dining experience which will be influenced by Monicas’s European style training alongside a pop of Asian techniques and ingredients. Simple, delicious, yet refined dining awaits Astra guests.
The Astra bar is a destination of its own. One of Monica’s many joys is sitting by the fire with a glass of wine accompanied with cheese, charcuterie and most importantly, friends! This intimate and welcoming feeling is exactly what she wishes to bring back this year with a selection of specially curated delicacies for guests to enjoy while relaxing in our world class lounge.
This winter, we welcome Caroline to the Astra family as Sommelier.
Growing up in the Adelaide foothills, Caroline has been surrounded by the food and wine industry since a young age. Her family started a small winery called Travellers Rest which inspired her to discover regions throughout South Australia from Barossa, Adelaide Hills to McLaren Vale during the vintage seasons. In between winemaking in the summers she has done some Sommelier work at the Meat and Wine Co.
With her Italian heritage she has a particular love for varieties such as Fiano, Nero D’Avola and Nebbiolo and has spent several seasons working with these wines. She looks forward to sharing her passion and knowledge with the guests of Astra Falls creek.
Meet Rubie our Award-Winning Astra Day Spa Manager. We are thrilled to have Rubie re-join us at Falls Creek for Winter.
Rubie has worked and travelled in some of the most beautiful islands throughout the Philippines, the Caribbean and tropical parts of Queensland. Her experience has spanned the last 15 years including managing the Astra Day Spa for 3 seasons before her time in sunny Queensland.
Her favourite treatment at Astra Day Spa is the The Ultimate Alpine Escape, a 5.5 hour long spa package. Rubie says “it is one of the best combined spa treatments that everyone should try while at Falls Creek!”
Rubie is a favourite of both staff and return guests and we are thrilled to have her back at Astra and leading the Astra Day Spa team!
Rosy’s brother Bryan was born and raised in Albury and joined the Astra team in 2018 to provide a private transport option for our guests. Bryan gets behind the wheel of the Mercedes Benz V Class 7-seater van and will pick up guests from either Melbourne or Albury airport and drop them at the front door. This bespoke service is famous for the convenience it offers; for the comfort of the ride and for Bryan’s great conversation! Head to our Location section and find out more about this fantastic service.
At Astra, and Traverse Alpine Group we want to make a difference to the local community. Through our long-term partnership with local Women’s Refuge Bettys Place, we seek to make a sustainable change and help those at risk and most in need.
Betty’s Place has a specialist focus on domestic and family violence and can assist those in need developing a plan to make sure they and their family are safe.
Steve suffered a major stroke at his home in Falls Creek in September 2020. Steve has a long road ahead of him and Traverse Alpine Group and The Frying Pan Inn are proud to support Steve Lee’s Fightback.