I'm still doing research for our next trip to Austria in late April. We have been to Austria several times already, and I'm looking for something a bit different. In the midst of doing my research I came across the Ausseerland - Salzkammergut region while checking out the official Salzkammergut website. I read about Bad Aussee and then went to flickr to look at some pictures and I'm impressed! However, I did a search on here and the only post that came up was from back in 05. Just curious if anyone has been to Bad Aussee, or this region in general? I would love some opinions!

Thanks!
Tracy

Hi Tracy

Yes, we visited Bad Aussee several years ago. Being Aussies, the name really intrigued us!

It was a pretty village with an unusual sculpture in the middle of a park area - something to do with Mercedes cars, I think - I know my husband was most interested in it.
We didn't really spend much time there, so can't give you any further details.

The Salzkammergut region is very picturesque; full of mountains and small villages. We were there in early May and found that many of the seasonal attractions like the Salt Mines didn't open until something like 20th May, so that may be worth checking if you are visiting in April.

May day is celebrated in a big way in that region, if you will still be there then. Di

Thanks Di! We've been to the Salzkammergut (St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgan, Bad Ischl and Hallstatt) a few times but never over to Bad Aussee. I'm interested, but in further reviewing the map it looks like it wouldn't make a great base for daytrips because we would constantly have to backtrack. I guess further research is in order.

Thanks again!
Tracy

Hi TC,

We stayed in Hallstatt, and passed through Bad Aussee on the way to Toplitzsee.

Our route took us from Hallstatt to the Toplitzsee, just beyond Gosl, passing through Obertraun, Bad Aussee and Grundlsee along the way. The Toplitzsee was recommended by “Austria”, who hasn’t appeared for some time. It was very good advice.

I was concerned that LW would have problems with the steep road up to and down from the Koppen pass between Obertraun and Bad Aussee, but the trees blocked the precipitous route from view, and she was quite OK.

We drove up to Gosl, parked the car and hiked for about 2 km on a well-constructed path through a forest. Upon reaching the lake, we came upon the Fischerhütte, a restaurant/café/ice cream shop/theme park. We took a table under the trees to enjoy the view, the stillness (interrupted now and then by a bird call), and the general feeling of ‘Süß, nichts zu machen‘ (which my machine translator tells me is German for ‘dolce far niente’).

The Fischerhütte offers Gösser beer – good head, very good balance - and a wheat beer, which was too sweet for our tastes.

Not long after we arrived, a number of folks began to appear, mostly families – many in traditional garb – for their Sunday outing. We noticed that Austrians do like to dress up on these weekend excursions in various styles of dirndls, lederhosen and other types of traditional costume.

Trip report is at
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...--may-2007.cfm

Bad Aussee as you find is east and south of Bad Ischl. Nearby is the lake Altaussee. This is small compared to other lakes in the region. This and Grundlsee are nice destination places for summer guests that plan an active mountain and lake vacation . Many from eastern Austria go there but not really for tourists looking to make frequent excursions or act as a base to explore.

This often confused with Attersee. This is a large Lake with numerous villages around it includingn a ship ferry for comnnections . Not unlike Wolfgangsee.
Much less known to North American guests. Most austrian . german and perhaps a few english.
Many activities around the lake . It has easy connections to its more known neighbors Wolfgangsee, Mondsee.
www.attersee.at

A road allows driving completely around the lake. Ships make trips like you find at Wolfgangsee.

I find it to be more quiet than Wolfgangsee but still with much to do.

April a very quiet time everywhere- still too cold for most lake activities . Winter is over.
Few tourists.