We turned around and drove to Ben Lomond National Park via Beaumaris and Scamander towns along the coast and then climbing up to a plateau at 250 m. After 20 km we turned and drove up a gravel road to the mountain . Beautiful drive through large sheep and cattle farms and later timber forestry. The unsealed road is well maintained. 
We first went to the campground to choose our site before driving the “famous Jacobs Ladder”  (a sensationally steep climb with six white-knuckle hairpin bends). It was a breathtaking drive. The view as you drove down is incredible, steep and required low gear 4×4. The ski accommodations at the top, 1400m, were closed so no lunch stop.