great alpine walk
traversing victoria's alps
This holiday focuses on Victoria’s high country, a mountainous area located in the northeast of the state. As part of the enormous Australian Alps National Park, the area is covered in a blanket of snow from late May to November, but then the winter snows melt and flow as life-giving fresh water into Australia's rivers. The grasslands and boggy areas hold vast amounts of water, allowing a never-ending supply for alpine rivers and streams even during the driest of summers. The rolling plains become a cool refuge from the hot valleys below, supporting masses of spectacular wildflowers and extensive snow grass plains.
See a folio of photographs taken in the Victorian high country by Auswalk clients.
Range upon range of glorious mountains
From the 1860’s huge quantities of gold were discovered in the area. Even before then, graziers brought their cattle into the mountains to feed on the lush green summer pastures. During this hike you’ll see rough yards for holding mustered cattle, simple huts built by the cattlemen for protection from the weather, and follow trails that cattle traversed between valleys and the high plains.
Historic Wallaces Hut
This is a true alpine experience. Highlights include the classic Razorback Ridge to Mt Feathertop, the second highest peak in Victoria. The undulating ridge offers panoramic views all the way. From here the route continues down to the picturesque village of Harrietville. Another “big tick” will be the walk from Hotham to Falls Creek via the Cobungra Valley, Derrick Hut and Dibbins Hut. The historic huts circuit walk will delight history buffs and remote Mt Tabletop is a favourite place to sit and ponder the beauty of the region.
(The Great Alpine Walk is also available as a self guided walking holiday)
location
This is a circuit trip starting and finishing in Melbourne.
travel
Air conditioned mini bus. Total travel distance approximately 800km.
grading
You should be in reasonable shape, but there’s certainly no need to be an iron man! If you choose the harder options then full day walks generally involve 6-8 hours on the track, travelling at a moderate pace – up to 22km. Alternatively, you can join our second guide for shorter, less demanding walks. You can mix and match from day to day, without any pressure to join either group. You will need to carry a daypack each day, containing basic essential items such as lunch, water, jacket etc. Total travelling distance in our air-conditioned minibus is about 800 km.
This is alpine country and much of the walking is above the tree line. As always, easier and harder options will be offered. The harder options will include long days with significant climbs and descents, with a few short "off track" sections where you can learn to navigate through the bush. The easier options will be much shorter and will not include as much elevation gain/loss. This trip is perfect for those who are seeking a challenging alpine experience as well as those who prefer to take shorter, easier options along the way.
Fields of colourful alpine wildflowers
accommodation
On the first two nights we'll stay in Falls Creek in a typical alpine ski lodge. The bedrooms are simple but do have ensuites and the lodge has large communal living areas. On the next two nights we’ll stay in an alpine resort at Dinner Plain. This attractive village was purpose-built about 20 years ago and is set amongst beautiful snowgum trees. All the buildings have a rustic mountain character and feature unique architectural styles. The final two nights will be spent in the picturesque riverside village of Harrietville.
what's included
Accommodation, most meals (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners), 2 guides, all transport from Melbourne Airport, national park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, notes, maps.
not included
Alcohol, additional meals.
departure dates
28 December 2008
27 December 2009
itinerary guide - 7 days
Day 1: 10am start at Melbourne airport. Travel via historic Glenrowan and Mt Beauty to Falls Creek Alpine Village. A short village stroll provides you with a good orientation. Overnight in Falls Creek.
Day 2: Today begins by following an easy Aqueduct Trail connected to one of Australia’s early hydro-electricity schemes, built between the 1930’s and 1950’s. Mountain cattlemen’s huts feature prominently on this holiday and today you’ll visit the oldest in Victoria, Wallace’s Hut. The ancient snow gum trees here are twisted and gnarled by centuries of harsh winters. After rain or fog these tree trunks change colour to brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow and green. After lunch, there will be a choice of an easy walk following more aqueduct trails and crossing gently graded snow plains or a more challenging option to visit some secluded historic huts. Overnight in Falls Creek
Day 3: Will you be up to the challenge of walking all the way from Falls Creek to Mt Hotham? Very few people have done this walk, even amongst the locals. Follow a section of the 750km Alpine Walking Track (between Walhalla and Canberra) all the way to Mt Hotham. You certainly won’t see many people out here; in fact you are more likely to see brumbies (wild horses) than people! Along the way, drop steeply down to the Cobungra River and Dibbins Hut (sometimes also called “Creep-Inn” – you’ll see why), and then back through the Mt Hotham ski village. Skiers flock to Hotham for its powder snow. It is easy to see how the surrounding steep valleys would provide protection from strong winter winds, allowing snow to settle gently into deep drifts. The days’ walking finishes with a stroll through the picturesque Davenport area of Hotham village. Those taking the more leisurely option will travel by bus to Mt Hotham – someone has to deliver the luggage after all! Then walk in to meet the others at Derrick Hut. Overnight in Dinner Plain.
Day 4: An easier day today! Todays walk meanders through snow gum forests and across thick snow grass plains, where there are many spring wildflowers. The standard 10km track to Dinner Plain is easy, but you can also add an optional 9km walk to the aptly named Mt Tabletop. Accessing this remote mountain requires some off track walking over uneven terrain. Cattle grazed these plains till recently, and you’ll see historic huts and even some cattle yards made by felling trees into piles! You’ll walk into Dinner Plain, the highest freehold land in Australia, where every building is constructed of mud brick, weathered timber, local rock and galvanized iron. You can build anything you like there, so long as it resembles a cattleman’s hut! Overnight in Dinner Plain.
Day 5: Another big walking day today. The hiking starts along the breathtaking Razorback Ridge, surely one of the most dramatic walking routes in Australia. As you walk along it, Mt Feathertop gradually looms more and more impressively. The final (optional) steep climb to the summit is a ripper! The rest of the day is spent walking down the gently graded Bungalow spur to the township of Harrietville. The spur is covered by tall mountain ash trees, many of which stand stark and white following the bushfires of 2003. Either dead or alive, they are impressive. Harrietville is built on mine tailings created by a huge dredge called the Tronah Monster, which was sold to a tin miner in Malaysia in the 1930’s. Today it’s a friendly holiday village with a laid-back atmosphere. A more leisurely option will be offered that includes an out-and-back walk along the Razorback. Overnight at Harrietville.
Dinner Plain Hotel
Day 6: An easy walk through valley bushland and a good chance to stretch those muscles after yesterday’s big descent. Walk through forests beside the Ovens River to the outskirts of Bright, and then detour to Wandiligong, another historic gold town that is Heritage Listed. The only industry at Wandi these days is apple growing but there are numerous sluices, tailings, mines and shafts remaining from the days when Chinese miners were more successful than Europeans, with nasty consequences. The day finishes with an optional walk through the Ovens River Gorge. Bright town is a busy tourist area, now better known for its splendid tree-lined streets and colourful autumn leaves than for the phenomenal amount of gold extracted in the past. Overnight at Harrietville
Day 7: Travel back to Melbourne, arriving at the airport at about 2pm.
fact sheet
Would you like more detailed information about this trip?
Download our Great Alpine Walk Group Guided Walking Holiday Fact Sheet.
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prices
See the prices section
how to book
See the booking section
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