Alpine National Park
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For further information Around Mount Bogong Tour guides Parks Victoria (Not shown on map) A number of licenced tour operators run tours Information Centre At 1986 metres, Mt Bogong is the highest peak in (four wheel driving, bushwalking, horseriding and Alpine National Park Call 13 1963 Victoria. Climbing Mt Bogong is strenuous and a rafting) in this area. Contact Tourism Alliance or visit our website at high level of fitness is required. You must also be Victoria for details on (03) 9650 8399 or visit their www.parks.vic.gov.au prepared for sudden unexpected weather website www.tourismalliance.com.au Parks Victoria Offices at changes, including snow, even in mid summer. Bright and Mt Beauty Phone Take care! The High Country - walks around Bogong High 13 1963 Staircase All visitors, especially walkers, should realise that (16 km, one hard day return) weather conditions can change rapidly in alpine Plains and Mountain Creek Caring for the The track to the summit begins at the Mountain areas. Snowfalls can be experienced at any time environment Walking is one of the best ways to discover the variety and beauty of the alpine environment. Creek Picnic Area and follows a vehicle track to of the year and water can be extremely scarce, so Help us look after your park the foot of the Staircase Spur, where the ascent always be prepared with: The day walks described in this leaflet are just a selection from many possibilities. The by following these guidelines: begins through a forest of Peppermint Gums. • warm clothing walking season lasts from early November until late May as the area is usually snow covered All native plants, animals, Bivouac Hut, about halfway along the climb, offers • archaeological and historic a welcome resting place before the track passes wind and waterproof jacket during winter and early spring. Park cars on the roadside and not on the native snow grasses, sites are protected by law through Snow Gums and out onto the steep rocky • gloves, hat, sunglasses and strong footwear which are easily damaged. Please check the ‘take care’ advice on the back page. Take your rubbish home, ridge leading to the summit plateau. most rubbish will not burn or • energy food and water rot The exposed treeless plain of the summit offers • How far, how fast? Heathy Spur Circuit little shelter in poor weather. Strong winds, fog, compass and relevant topographical map Dogs and other pets are not In good weather along a track, a fit person can (10 km, approx 4 hours return) freezing temperatures, rain and snow are all permitted Also, please keep your group small. 4 to 6 is ideal. cover 3 - 4 kilometres an hour. Remember to common at this altitude. Navigation can be notes Start at the “Heathy Spur - Mt Nelse” sign beside Firearms are only permitted in Other publications make allowances for long steep climbs, the Bogong High Plains Road (about 500 metres the park in accordance with extremely difficult so turn back at the tree line if For more details and extensive coverage of the photography and rests. Let someone know before past the Rocky Valley dam wall). Follow the Hunting Regulations conditions are poor or deteriorating. Alpine National Park see the following: you go, and fill in Intention Books. walking track as it climbs gently through alpine Choose a firm, dry, well Eskdale Spur herbfields and Snow Gums to Heathy Spur. drained camp site at least 20 Maps Around Bogong High Plains (8 km, 6 hours return to Camp Creek Gap) metres from any watercourse Spatial Vision Touring the Victorian Alps Australian Alps Walking Track The track then meanders through open Follow the track up Mountain Creek past the Keep to designated tracks 1:140,000 The Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) grasslands and scattered Snow Gums, meeting bottom of the Staircase Spur for approximately 5.5 Use a portable stove instead passes across the Bogong High Plains on its the AAWT and adjacent numbered snow pole line km to Camp Creek Gap. It is also possible to VicMap 1:50,000 Bogong Alpine Area of lighting a fire - especially mountainous 650 km (10 week) journey through after 4.5 km. Turn right along the AAWT, and access Camp Creek Gap in a 4WD vehicle along above or near the tree line VicMap 1:50,000 Dargo Plains - Cobungra the Australian Alps from Walhalla (Gippsland, down Big River Fire Track (Watchbed Creek), and Eskdale Spur Track from Trappers Gap. Always check fire danger Victoria) to Tharwa (near Canberra, ACT). right again at the Bogong High Plains Road for VicMap 1:50,000 Howitt - Selwyn forecasts. No fires (including The track climbs steeply up the Eskdale Spur past Between Loch Carpark (Mt Hotham) and Mt about 2 km back to your starting point. stoves) on days of Total Fire Michell Hut to the tree line where the track Alpine National Park park notes Bogong there is a numbered snow pole line Mount Nelse Ban. This park is in the North- intersects with the Granite Flat Track. Once the The High Country park spaced 40 metres apart adjacent to the AAWT. East Fire Ban District (9 km, approx 3.5 hours return) shelter of the Snow Gums is left behind the - around Bright, Mt Beauty and Omeo Pole 1 is at Loch Carpark and Pole 1285 at Mt Drive 3.1 km along the Bogong High Plains Road Fuel Stove Only Area. Due to remainder of the walk is very similar to the Bogong. Many people undertake this beautiful The High Country from the Rocky Valley dam wall and turn left just vegetation damage and visual exposed rocky ascent of the Staircase onto the high country section of the AAWT as a 60 km 5 scarring no campfires are to - walks around Feathertop and Mt Hotham after crossing Watchbed Creek, at the Big River summit plateau. day (4 night) hike. be lit on Mt Bogong or its Fire Track. It is possible to drive a further 1 km up Our Mountain Heritage approaches Around Mountain Creek Walkers must be self sufficient with food, water, the fire trail to a gate (please keep the gate clear), - around Heyfield, Licola and Dargo Where toilets are not (Not shown on map) first aid and camping gear, and be skilled in the but it is recommended that you park near the provided, bury your waste at The walks start from the Mountain Creek Picnic Valleys and Bluffs use of maps and compass. Bogong High Plains Road and walk from the least 100 m from water or intersection. Follow this track up through Snow and Camping Area, 10.5 km along Mountain - around Mansfield and Whitfield Roper Lookout camp sites Creek Road from the Kiewa Valley Highway. Gum woodlands along Watchbed Creek before Source of the Rivers (5.0 km, approx 1.5 hours return) Enjoy a visit to a hut, but do coming out into open grassy plains to meet the - around Mitta Mitta, Benambra and Corryong The walk starts at the “Roper Lookout” sign at the not use them for There is a range of walks from 15 minutes to 2 AAWT. hours, through cool moist fern-filled gullies or eastern end of the Rocky Valley dam wall. Follow accommodation, always carry Books a tent among drier peppermint forests on the slopes. the aqueduct for 1.5 km before climbing a small The AAWT follows a snow pole line adjacent to a The Australian Alps Walking Track and Alpine grassy fire trail which skirts around below the Water - be self-sufficient and gully among Snow Gums. Roper Lookout is a Shady Gully Nature Walk National Park by John Siseman (Pindari summit of Mt Nelse. The summit is reached about treatment of any water small basalt knoll with excellent views of Falls (1 km, approx 15 minutes return) Publications) collected is recommended Creek Resort and the surrounding high country. 500 metres east from the highest point (saddle) on There are information plaques along the track the track. Return along the same route. Please don’t throw this park Explore the Australian Alps - Car touring guide to Return along the same route. note away. Keep it, return it The Australian Alps national parks by Australian Healthy Parks Healthy People Tree Fern Walk Mount Cope for others to use, or recycle it (2 km, 1 hour return) Alps Liaison Committee (New Holland Press) (3 km, 1.5 hours return) Visiting a park can improve your health, mind, body and A walk across grassy snow plains and up through Peppermint Walk soul. So, with over four million scattered Snow Gums and small boulders to the hectares of parkland available (2.5 km, 1.5 hours return) rocky summit. to Victorians, why not escape November 2011 to a park today! Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit our website at www.parks.vic.gov.au For further information Around Mount Bogong Tour guides Parks Victoria (Not shown on map) A number of licenced tour operators run tours Information Centre At 1986 metres, Mt Bogong is the highest peak in (four wheel driving, bushwalking, horseriding and Alpine National Park Call 13 1963 Victoria. Climbing Mt Bogong is strenuous and a rafting) in this area. Contact Tourism Alliance or visit our website at high level of fitness is required. You must also be Victoria for details on (03) 9650 8399 or visit their www.parks.vic.gov.au prepared for sudden unexpected weather website www.tourismalliance.com.au Parks Victoria Offices at changes, including snow, even in mid summer.