Alpine National Park – our mountain heritage Walks around Howitt, Snowy Range & Tali Karng Walking is one of the best ways to discover the variety and beauty of the alpine environment. The walks described in this leaflet are just a selection from many possibilities. The best walking period lasts from early November until late March; the area is usually snow covered during winter and early spring. Always carry and know how to use a map and compass and be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. How far, how fast? 2. Bryce Gorge (8km, approx 2.5 hours return) 3. Moroka Gorge (12km, approx 8 hours return) In good weather along a track, a fit person can 4. Tali Karng. cover 3Ð4 km an hour. Remember to make allowances for long steep climbs, heavy packs, Other publications photography and rests. Let someone know before For more details and extensive coverage of the you go. Alpine National Park see the following maps and Take care! publications: ¥ Vicmap 1:50 000 series Howit Ð Selwyn, All visitors and especially walkers, should realise Tamboritha ÐMoroka, Dargo Plains that weather conditions can change rapidly in ÐCobungra & Crooked River mountain and alpine areas. Snowfalls and ¥ The Australian Alps Walking Track & Alpine blizzards can be experienced at any time of the National Park by John Siseman (Pindari year, so always be prepared with: Publications) ¥ wind and waterproof jacket ¥ The selection of parknotes on the Alpine ¥ warm clothing Ð woollen hat, gloves and National Park produced by Parks Victoria. sunglasses ¥ strong footwear Around Mt Howitt ¥ high energy food and water The Mt Howitt Walk ¥ first aid kit, and (14km, approx 5 hours return) ¥ map and compass. Please keep to marked or defined walking tracks. The walk starts at the carpark on the Howitt Road, Parks Victoria Ranger 81km north of Licola via the Tamboritha Road. Setting up camp The first 5km passes through pleasant Snow Gum There are numerous ideal sites in the area for woodlands and small, open snow grass plains. Victoria has all the outdoors dispersed bush camping without facilities. Sites The memorial Vallejo Gantner hut near Macalister you could wish for mountains, with basic facilities are: Springs was built in 1970 as a refuge for forests, beaches and bushland, For bush walkers bushwalkers. It has a unique copper clad inclined all preserved in our parks. ¥ Macalister Springs, fuel stove only area ÔAÕ frame design. Our natural landscapes have ¥ Tali Karng, fuel stove only area Ðlarger groups Beyond the hut the track follows a narrow ridge, been here longer than anyone are asked to register at the Heyfield office. with spectacular views into the headwaters of the For car based campers knows, and together we can Macalister River (west) and Wonnangatta River ¥ Wellington River, 9km along the river beginning make sure theyre here forever. Ð Terrible Hollow (east). 10km north of Licola Ð toilets at sites 1, 7, 8, 13,and 16 After a climb of 0.5km the Australian Alps Walking ¥ Horseyard Flat, beside the Moroka River Track is reached. Turn left, it is only a fairly short ¥ Wonnangatta Valley (4WD only), near the walk across alpine herbfields to the open rolling summit of Mt Howitt and Howitt West Peak. The For more information historic site of the Homestead. view from here is one of the best in the Victorian call the Parks Victoria The walks Alps; nearby the jagged Cross Cut Saw, The Information Centre Razor, The Viking and Mount Speculation, and on 13 1963 or These scenic walks take in a full range of alpine in the distance Mount Buller to the west, Mount visit our website at landscapes: Buffalo to the north and Mount Feathertop to the www.parkweb.vic.gov.au 1. Mt Howitt (14km, approx 5 hours return) north-west. July 2000 For further information Around Bryces Gorge Around Tali Karng contact Parks Victoria Information The Bryces Gorge Circuit Tali Karng, Ôthe hidden lakeÕ, was formed at Centre (8km, approx 2.5 hours return) least 1500 years ago by an enormous rockslide. 13 1963 You can appreciate the size of the rockslide in or visit our website The walk starts at the carpark on the Howitt Road, www.parkweb.vic.gov.au the boulder strewn Valley of Destruction 23.5 km north of Arbuckle Junction (46.5 km Parks Victoria Heyfield Office downstream of the Lake. ph (03) 5139 7777 north of Licola via Tamboritha Road). From the carpark follow the well defined track across open 1. McFarlane Saddle – Wellington Plains – snow plains for about 1.7km to the waterfall on Tali Karng Caring for the Pieman Creek. The best view is from a lookout environment (12km each way, 4 hours to Lake, 5 hours out) about 50m below the main track. Help us care for our parks The easiest route to the Lake begins at and reserves by Return to the main track and continue around the remembering these McFarlane Saddle carpark on the Moroka Road, guidelines clifftops of Bryces Gorge for 1.5km to 60 km from Licola. The walk follows a well Conglomerate Falls. From the falls the track follows Dogs and other pets are not defined track across Wellington Plains for 9km permitted in the park. Conglomerate Creek through Black Sallee before reaching Gillios Track branching off to woodlands and across open plains to a junction the south. This track is about 3km long, and Please do not disturb or with the Wonnangatta Track. Guys Hut is reached remove any native plants although steep is well graded down to the Lake. animals or rock formations. after a further 3km through groves of Snow Gums. An alternative is the Spion Kopje Track, which Built in 1940, the hut is an excellent example of branches off the Wellington Plains track after Vehicles including trail bikes may only be driven or ridden bush architecture and well worth a visit. Continue 6km and rejoins it again about 250m above on formed roads open to the 1km south east from the hut to the carpark. Gillios track. This route, although more difficult public, and must be fully road and slightly longer, is more scenic. registered. Drivers and riders Around Moroka Gorge must hold a current license. 2. Wellington River – Clive Lanigan Track – The Moroka Gorge Walk Tali Karng Always check fire danger (12km, approx 8 hours return) forecasts. No fires, including (17km each way, 7 hours to Lake, 6 hours out) stoves, may be lit on a day A reasonable level of fitness is required as there This route begins at the third bridge over the of Total Fire Ban. are a couple of steep descents/ascents along the Wellington River, about 22km north of Licola. Take your rubbish home with route. Walking in the steep rocky terrain of the The route follows the Wellington River upstream you. Most rubbish will not gorge is much slower than along tracks and trails. for 17km, crossing the river 16 times. These burn or rot. Be alert for high river levels and fast flowing water crossings may be hazardous if the river level Do not pollute streams and which can make the Gorge hazardous. If you is high. Continue along the track until you meet rivers with refuse, detergents have limited time, walk to the first waterfall or the a marked foot trail which climbs steeply through or human wastes. Wash up well away from streams. lookout point along the eastern section of the the Valley of Destruction and on to the Lake. track. A slightly longer alternative route is via Riggall Where toilets are not Spur track up to Echo Point. From here it is a provided, bury your toilet From Horseyard Flat, the track crosses the Moroka 1km walk down to the Lake. waste at least 100m from River by a footbridge and heads north through water or camp sites. pleasant open river flats. 3. Tamboritha Road – Mt Margaret – Tali Use a portable stove instead The track meets Karng of lighting a fire, especially the Moroka (20km each way, 10 hours to Lake, 9 hours above or near the treeline. River at the out) Fuel Stove only area first waterfall Due to vegetation damage One of the most difficult routes to the Lake. Ð an ideal and visual scarring, no Start from the Tamboritha Road approx 4km campfires are to be lit within stopping from Licola. From there climb steeply for 6km 1km of Tali Karng or Vallejo point. From until you meet the Mt Margaret Track. Head Gantner Hut (Macalister there it climbs to south along this track for about 250m before Springs). the escarpment and turning left towards the Chromite Mine where Enjoy a visit to a hut but do follows it to a lookout Brush-tailed there is a campsite and water. From here it is Possum not use them for which gives good views another 3.5km to the Wellington River via Clive accommodation. Always of the Moroka valley. The Lanigan track, then on to the Lake. carry a tent. track descends steeply to Horseriding is permitted to within 200m of the Choose a firm, dry, well the river, passing through drained campsite at least Lake on the Echo Point Track at the Lummican Gully. There is no formal track beyond 20m away from any hitching rails near The Knoll. Horses are not this point but following the river downstream brings watercourses. permitted at the Lake or on the Clive Lanigan you to three spectacular waterfalls and the narrow Leave the park as you find it. and Gillios tracks. gorge proper (dry weather only). This involves some rock hopping and should not be attempted when the river is high.