Baw Baw National Park

Visitor Guide

Spectacular summer wildflower displays and snowy woodlands in winter highlight the changing beauty of Baw Baw National Park. Gnarled Snow Gums and Alpine heaths stretch across the Baw Baw Plateau, while majestic tall forests grow within the surrounding river valleys. Whether shooting the rapids on the Thomson River or skiing a cross country trail, Baw Baw National Park offers a wealth of natural experiences.

Location and access Yarra Falls and the Baw Baw Plateau. Opened with much fanfare by the Governor of Victoria, the Yarra Baw Baw National Park is situated approximately Track became one of VictoriaÕs most popular 120 kilometres east of Melbourne and 50 kilometres walking routes. north of the Latrobe Valley. Unfortunately the disastrous Black Friday fires of The main access to the plateau is from the Mount 1939 burnt the huts and most of the area transversed Erica and St Gwinear carparks along signposted by the track. The track was never rebuilt although roads off the Thomson Valley Road, north of Erica. bushwalkers can follow part of the original route The Aberfeldy River camping area is accessed by following the Australian Alps Walking Track from the historic township of Walhalla or across the between Walhalla and Mount Whitelaw. In 1979, dam wall of the Thomson Reservoir. Baw Baw National Park was declared. The 13,300 The Baw Baw Alpine Resort which adjoins the park, hectare park protects the Baw Baw Plateau and can be reached from the Princes Highway at Drouin the adjacent forests in the Thomson and Aberfeldy by following the Mount Baw Baw Tourist Road. river valleys. Driving Enjoying the park Roads throughout the area are narrow and winding Walking but offer marvellous scenery with panoramic views. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the park. Care should be taken when driving as many of the There are many kilometres of walking tracks roads are regularly used by log trucks. Please traversing pristine sub-alpine plant communities watch out for wildlife, especially early in the morning and unique landscapes. Be sure to wear strong and at dusk. footwear, pack a snack and carry water and a The road past Walhalla into the Aberfeldy River jacket. Be ready for sudden changes in the weather valley is unsuitable for caravans. Many of the tracks and always let someone know before you go. in the Thomson and Aberfeldy valleys are suitable 1. Beech Gully Nature Walk - 400 metres, 30 for 4WD vehicles only, and some 4WD tracks within minutes return the park are subject to seasonal closures. Starting at the Mount Erica carpark, the Beech The Mount St Gwinear Road is a declared hazardous Gully Nature Walk provides an excellent introduction Parks Victoria Ranger road during winter (bus drivers require an appropriate to the plants and wildlife of the Mountain Ash forests licence). Snow chains must be carried during the and cool temperate rainforests of the southern declared ski season and fitted when and where slopes of the Baw BawÕs. directed. “Victoria has all the outdoors 2. Mount St Gwinear Track - 6km, 3 hours return you could wish for – mountains, Remnants of history The walk to the summit of Mount St Gwinear winds forests, beaches and bushland, In 1860, the renowned government botanist, through heathland and Snow Gum forest. The all preserved in our parks. Ferdinand von Mueller made the first recorded magnificent views, stretching across the valleys of Our natural landscapes have ascent of the Baw Baw Plateau. He named the the Thomson and Aberfeldy Rivers and into the peaks Mount Mueller and Mount Erica and a Victorian AlpÕs, are a perfect reward. been here longer than anyone flowering plant of the locality. Ferdinand von Mueller 3. Mushroom Rocks - 3 kilometres, 2 hours knows, and together we can used this expedition to further refine his theories return make sure they’re here forever.” about the relationship between Victorian and Tasmanian vegetation. Commencing at the Mount Erica carpark, this popular walk along a section of the Australian AlpÕs In 1866, the discovery of gold at Matlock and later Walking Track leads to a maze of giant granite tors. at Red Jacket, Donnellys Creek, Walhalla and Toombon sparked a rush of miners to the area. 4. Australian Alps Walking Track For more information Tracks were cut to the new goldfields skirting the Beginning in the old gold mining town of Walhalla call the Parks Victoria northern and southern slopes of the mountain. and ending near Canberra, the 650 kilometre trail Information Centre In 1906 the Public Works Department constructed embraces the best of the Alps, the countryÕs highest on 13 1963 or a walking track between Warburton and Walhalla. peaks, snow-capped mountains and plains, visit our website at The track gave access to the Beech forests and cattlemenÕs huts, tall forests, snow gum woodlands www.parkweb.vic.gov.au fern gullies of the upper Yarra, the spectacular and many historic sites. For further information Pack a picnic ... Fishing contact: Baw Baw National Park is a delightful setting for a The Thomson and Aberfeldy Rivers are an excellent Parks Victoria Information picnic. Two picnic areas are situated within the location to try your luck at fly fishing. Catches from Centre park; at the St Gwinear and the Mount Erica streams within the park include Brown Trout, River 13 1963 carparks. Tables and pit toilets are provided. Blackfish and eels. or visit our website on Facilities including gas BBQÕs and picnic shelters A recreational fishing licence is required to take fish www.parkweb.vic.gov.au are also provided at the nearby Silvertop Picnic (including bait and shellfish) in all Victorian marine, Area and within Walhalla. Parks Victoria Erica Office estuary and freshwaters. Licences are available Thomson Valley Road, Staying Overnight from the Department of Natural Resources and Parkers Corner Environment and most retail fishing stores, as is ph (03) 5165 3204 A camping area with fireplaces, pit toilets and picnic the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide which tables is provided on the banks of the Aberfeldy specifies bag limits and seasons for different fish. Latrobe Information Centre River. The Eastern Tyers Camping Area is the first Princes Hwy, Traralgon overnight stop from Walhalla for bushwalkers on Horse riding ph (03) 5174 3199 the Australian Alps Walking Track. The park is an attractive setting for riding. HorseÕs Dispersed bush camping is permitted on the Baw may only be ridden on formed roads and tracks Caring for the Baw Plateau. The Plateau is a fuel stove only area, open to the public (except for Whitelaw, Plane and therefore no solid fuel fires are permitted. The area Trigger Creek Tracks). Horse riding is not permitted environment falls within domestic water supply catchments, so on any walking tracks within the park, on the Baw Please help us care for our care must be taken with the disposal of human Baw Plateau or above the bridge on the Mount parks and reserves by waste. Caravan parks are situated at Rawson, Erica Erica Road. Horse-based camping is not permitted remembering these and Moe. Other accommodation including within the park. guidelines: guesthouses and bed and breakfasts are found within the neighbouring towns. A haven for plants and wildlife All native plants and animals The Baw Baw Plateau features extensive sub-alpine in the park are protected. Hunting woodlands dominated by Snow Gum with a scrubby Please keep to designated Hunting of deer is only permitted during the understorey of MuellerÕs Bush-pea, Alpine Pepper walking tracks to avoid recognised open season in a section of the park. and Dusty Daisy-bush. Wet alpine heathlands and becoming lost. Special conditions apply. Before undertaking this thick spongy beds of sphagnum moss surround activity seek further information from Parks Victoria clear pools of water. With such a diverse array of Bins are not provided within or the Department of Natural Resources and plants these heathlands provide a spectacular the park. Please take your Environment. display of wildflowers in season. rubbish home. The upper slopes of the range support tall open Dredging and gold fossicking Cycling forests of Alpine Ash, Shining Gum and Tingaringy are not permitted. Bicycles may only be ridden on formed roads and Gum. At lower altitudes tall forests of Mountain Ash, Vehicles including trail bikes tracks open to the public. Cycling is not permitted Messmate and Silver Wattle grow and are often may only be driven on on the Baw Baw Plateau, on walking tracks or shrouded in mist. Pockets of cool temperate formed roads open to the Whitelaw, Plane and Trigger Creek Tracks. rainforest with a lush understorey of ferns flourish public, and must be fully within the sheltered gullies. Due to the rain shadow road registered. All drivers Cross Country Skiing, Tobogganing and created by the Baw BawÕs, the Thomson and and riders must hold a Snowplay Aberfeldy River valleys are dominated by dry forests current licence. of Silvertop, Messmate and Peppermints with an Baw Baw National Park is renowned for its cross open understorey of small shrubs, grasses and Cats and dogs are not country skiing. With elevations of up to 1500 metres bracken. permitted within the park. in the park, snow can be expected from June to September. There are 11 kilometres of marked ski At night the forest comes to life as possums, owls Fires may only be lit in the trails across the plateau and a permanent pole line and bats emerge from tree hollows to feed amongst fireplaces provided. No fires links the Baw Baw Alpine Resort to the St Gwinear the spreading branches of the forest canopy. If you to be lit on days of total fire carpark. are lucky you may catch a glimpse of a Superb ban (Eastern District). Lyrebird scratching about amongst the leaf litter St Gwinear is a popular destination for families looking for insects and grubs. Their clear loud seeking a fun day in the snow. There are two graded imitations echo through the forest. toboggan runs, and areas suitable for building a snowman or for throwing a snow ball. A kiosk with The endangered LeadbeaterÕs Possum, VictoriaÕs toboggan hire regularly operates from the St state faunal emblem, inhabits the Mountain Ash Gwinear carpark during the snow season. forests of the park. It relies on old hollow trees and the dense understorey of Wattles for nesting and Canoeing feeding. The park is also home to the Common The Thomson River provides for canoeing and Wombat, Swamp Wallaby, Greater Glider, Yellow rafting on Grade 3 water. The best river levels bellied Glider, Sugar Glider, Mountain Brush-tailed depend on water releases from the Thomson Dam. Possum, Brown Antechinus and Platypus. Canoes can be launched at Beardmores Track, Low Saddle Track (4WD only) or at the Narrows. There are no facilities provided within the park for riverside camping.

May 2001 Baw Baw N.P. Traralgon Walhalla Tyers R.P. Tyers Aberfeldy Morwell

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Baw Baw National Park

Baw Baw National Park Recreational Facilities

Walhalla Historic Area Accommodation Kiosk 0 1 2

Baw Baw Alpine Resort Camping Lookout KILOMETRES N Cartography by Charles Walsh Waterbody Cross country skiing (winter only) Parking Nature Tourism Services 00/7

Sealed road Downhill skiing (winter only) Picnic area

Unsealed road Fireplace Picnic shelter

Vehicular track First aid (winter only) Self guided walk MELBOURNE

Walking track Gas barbecue Toilets

Information