(includes 5 days of walking)

Day 1

Great Alpine Walk starts in Mount Beauty any time after 2pm. No walking scheduled for today, although if you arrive early enough you'll have time to explore the small township of Mt Beauty. Accommodation: Mt Beauty

Day 2

After a transfer high into the mountains, the walk 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 snowgum 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, walk along the southern edge of Rocky Valley Dam, before climbing to Falls Creek ski resort. Accommodation: Falls Creek

Day 3

An easier walking day, following more aqueduct trails and crossing gently graded snow plains. All the walking terrain yesterday and today provides superb cross country skiing during winter. It is easy to imagine dozens of fit, lycra–clad athletes skating past and making it look effortless. The day ends with a trek to the summit of a small peak with a fine view over Falls Creek and the Kiewa valley before strolling along another aqueduct trail back to the village. Accommodation: Falls Creek

Day 4

A big one today! Very few people have done this bushwalk, even amongst the locals. Follow a section of the Alpine Walking Track (750km 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), then back through the Mt Hotham alpine 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. Accommodation: Hotham alpine village

Day 5

Today’s walk meanders through snowgum forests and across thick snowgrass plains, where there are many spring wildflowers. The standard 10km track to Dinner Plain is easy, but you can also add an optional 9km return walk to the aptly named Mt Tabletop. 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. Accommodation: Dinner Plain Suggestion Many of our walkers have suggested that you take a rest day at Dinner Plain. This allows you to recover from a couple of big walking days. There are short walks close to the village. We can arrange an extra night for you – contact us for a price.

Day 6

Another big walking day today. After an early start, you’ll be transferred to 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 and most impressive mountain ash trees. 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. Accommodation: Harrietville

Day 7

The trip ends after breakfast when you will be transferred either back to your car at Mt Beauty or to Bright to connect with public transport. This transfer is included in the cost of your walk. Bright is a lovely little alpine village and a short walk around the town whilst you are waiting for the bus is highly recommended.