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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 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! 13 1963 Staircase All visitors, especially walkers, should realise that (16 km, one hard day return) weather conditions can change rapidly in alpine Caring for the The track to the summit begins at the Mountain areas. Snowfalls can be experienced at any time 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: by following these guidelines: begins through a forest of Peppermint Gums. • warm clothing 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 sites are protected by law through Snow Gums and out onto the steep rocky • gloves, hat, sunglasses and strong footwear 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 little shelter in poor weather. Strong winds, fog, • compass and relevant topographical map Dogs and other pets are not permitted freezing temperatures, rain and snow are all Also, please keep your group small. 4 to 6 is ideal.
Firearms are only permitted in common at this altitude. Navigation can be extremely difficult so turn back at the tree line if Other publications the park in accordance with For more details and extensive coverage of the Hunting Regulations conditions are poor or deteriorating. Alpine National Park see the following: Choose a firm, dry, well Eskdale Spur drained camp site at least 20 (8 km, 6 hours return to Camp Creek Gap) Maps metres from any watercourse Follow the track up Mountain Creek past the Spatial Vision Touring the Victorian Alps Keep to designated tracks bottom of the Staircase Spur for approximately 5.5 1:140,000 Use a portable stove instead km to Camp Creek Gap. It is also possible to VicMap 1:50,000 Bogong Alpine Area of lighting a fire - especially access Camp Creek Gap in a 4WD vehicle along above or near the tree line Eskdale Spur Track from Trappers Gap. VicMap 1:50,000 Dargo Plains - Cobungra Always check fire danger VicMap 1:50,000 Howitt - Selwyn forecasts. No fires (including The track climbs steeply up the Eskdale Spur past stoves) on days of Total Fire Michell Hut to the tree line where the track Alpine National Park park notes Ban. This park is in the North- intersects with the Granite Flat Track. Once the The High Country East Fire Ban District shelter of the Snow Gums is left behind the - around Bright, Mt Beauty and Omeo Fuel Stove Only Area. Due to remainder of the walk is very similar to the vegetation damage and visual exposed rocky ascent of the Staircase onto the The High Country scarring no campfires are to summit plateau. - walks around Feathertop and Mt Hotham be lit on Mt Bogong or its approaches Around Mountain Creek Our Mountain Heritage (Not shown on map) - around Heyfield, Licola and Dargo Where toilets are not provided, bury your waste at The walks start from the Mountain Creek Picnic Valleys and Bluffs least 100 m from water or and Camping Area, 10.5 km along Mountain - around Mansfield and Whitfield camp sites Creek Road from the Kiewa Valley Highway. Enjoy a visit to a hut, but do Source of the Rivers not use them for There is a range of walks from 15 minutes to 2 - around Mitta Mitta, Benambra and Corryong accommodation, always carry hours, through cool moist fern-filled gullies or Books a tent among drier peppermint forests on the slopes. The Australian Alps Walking Track and Alpine Water - be self-sufficient and Shady Gully Nature Walk National Park by John Siseman (Pindari treatment of any water (1 km, approx 15 minutes return) collected is recommended Publications) There are information plaques along the track Explore the Australian Alps - Car touring guide to
Healthy Parks Healthy People Tree Fern Walk The Australian Alps national parks by Australian (2 km, 1 hour return) Alps Liaison Committee (New Holland Press) Visiting a park can improve
your health, mind, body and Peppermint Walk soul. So, with over four million (2.5 km, 1.5 hours return) hectares of parkland available to Victorians, why not escape to a park today! $XJXVW 201 Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper
Around the historic huts
Wallace Hut (1.5 km, approx 45 minutes return) The walking track to Wallace Hut commences 7.7 km along the Bogong High Plains Road from the Rocky Valley dam wall. Park your car on the side of the road and walk down the short well-graded track to Wallace Hut. Built in 1889 from Snow Gum slabs and Woollybutt shingles, this timeworn cattleman’s hut is thought to be the oldest on the high plains. Cope Hut (0.5 km, approx 15 minutes return) The track to Cope Hut commences a further 2 km along the Bogong High Plains Road. Cope Hut was built by the Ski Club of Victoria in 1929 after the state experienced a surge in skiing in the 1920s. The hut was called “The Menzies of the High Plains” by early skiers and walkers because of its size and comfort. ◉ Wallace to Cope Heritage Trail (6 km, approx 2.5 hours return) Start with the walk to Wallace Hut and continue past the hut to the aqueduct. Cross the aqueduct and turn right onto the AAWT. The track takes you past the Rover Chalet. Turn right at the “T” junction about 200 metres past the creek crossing and follow the track up to Cope Hut and the Bogong High Plains Road. Return to the start along the road or by taking the walking track down a heath-filled valley to the Wallace Hut Track. Fitzgerald Hut and Kelly Hut (10 km, approx 4 hours return) The start of this walk is the same as that for Mt Nelse, but just after you join the AAWT a signpost “Fitzgerald Hut” and a snow pole line is reached branching to your right. Follow this pole line for 4 km to an indistinct intersection. The left hand track drops gently past several magnificent old Snow Gums to Kelly Hut and the right hand walking track goes to the picturesque Fitzgerald Hut. The original hut was one of the oldest and most appealing of the cattlemen’s huts in the park. It was destroyed by fire in December 1991, but skilfully rebuilt in 1993 using salvaged and recycled timbers. Tawonga Huts (8 km, approx 3.5 hours return) Drive to Pretty Valley Pondage via the Pretty Valley - Mt McKay Road. Walk over the causeway and follow the Fainter Fire Track to the west. This rough vehicle track climbs 140 metres over a spur before dropping gently down to Tawonga Huts (and on to the Fainters). About 1 km before the huts, a short diversion to the south takes you to a small saddle where magnificent views can be seen towards Mt Hotham and Mt Feathertop and into the West Kiewa River Valley. The cattlemen’s huts known as the Tawonga Huts nestle in a small snow plain below the rock outcrops of the Niggerheads.
◉ Roper Hut Ruins Roper Hut was destroyed in the bush fires of 2003, but was rebuilt in early 2008.
The start of this walk is the same as that for Mt Nelse. After climbing the Big River Fire Track beside Watchbed Creek, follow the AAWT past the signposted turnoffs to Edmondson Hut and Johnston Hut and the exposed rounded summits of Mt Nelse and Mt Nelse North. Continue on across the huge expanses of rolling high plains with panoramic views west to Mt Buffalo and north across the steep slopes of the Big River Valley to Mt Bogong. 10 km from the Bogong High Plains Road, Roper Hut ruins are reached nestled on the edge of the high plains among old gnarled Snow Gums. A pole line leads from the AAWT to a lovely grassy area, perfect for camping or picnics.
Fire in the Alps
During the summer of 2003 and 2006 a number of fires swept through the Australian Alps. Fire killed trees that now may be unstable and fall at any time. Take care in fire affected areas.
Visiting the huts
There are nearly 60 huts and hut ruins in the Bogong area of the Alpine National Park. Enjoy a visit to one of these historic huts, but do not use them for accommodation - they are only for emergency refuge. Always carry and sleep in your tent, and take your rubbish home where you can dispose of it thoughtfully.
Huts may be difficult to find or already full, often with native Bush Rats or antechinuses - another good reason to BYO tent!