There is a wide variety of walks in the Alpine National Park. The walking season lasts from early November to late May as the area is usually predominately covered in snow during the winter and early spring.
Important Information and Cautions
Weather conditions can change rapidly in alpine areas. Snowfalls and blizzards can be experienced at any time of the year.
Be prepared with:
- Wind and waterproof jackets
- Warm clothing- hat, gloves and strong footwear
- First aid kit for longer walks
- Energy food and enough water for the day
- Compass and relevant topographical map
Let someone know before you go and ensure you check road conditions before setting out. Many roads and tracks are closed seasonally during the colder, wetter months for environmental and safety reasons. For more comprehensive information on the Alpine National Park, these and other walks please refer to the‘Alpine National Park – The High Country – walks around Bogong High Plains
and Mountain Creek’ series of Parks Victoria Park Notes before visiting. These notes outline important information regarding weather conditions and general cautions specific to the Park and can be viewed at parks.vic.gov.au.
Mountain Creek Walks
The walks start from the Mountain Creek Picnic and Camping Area, 10.5 km along Mountain Creek Road from the Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga. Nestled at the base of Mount Bogong (1986m) there are several walks ranging on length, through cool moist fern-filled gullies or among drier peppermint forests on the slopes. Mountain Creek Picnic and Camping Area is also the starting point for the most popular routes up Mount Bogong, the Staircase and the Eskdale Spur.
Shady Gully Nature Walk
1 km / 15 mins return
No bushwalking experience required. Well-formed track with no steps and gentle hills. Sign posted.
Starting south of the main bridge, this is an easy loop walk that provides you with a taste of the riparian forest of this area. Follow Mountain Creek which has its headwaters on nearby Mount Bogong and then cross back to complete the loop.
Tree Fern Walk
2 km / 1 hour return
No bushwalking experience required. Well-formed track with no steps and gentle hills. Sign posted.
This track starts north of the bridge and is a gentle meander along Mountain Creek. The track is well defined and if you would like a longer walk you can take the turn off to the Black Cockatoo Walk. (see below)
Black Cockatoo Walk
2.5 km / 1.5 hours return
No bushwalking experience required. Well-formed track with no steps and gentle hills. Sign posted.
This track starts along Mountain Creek Road, past the picnic area (4WD), or can be combined with the Tree Fern Walk to create a longer loop along the banks of Mountain Creek.
Peppermint Walk
2.5 km / 1.5 hours return
No bushwalking experience required, formed track with some obstacles, short steep hills and many steps. Clearly sign posted.
The Peppermint Walk starts in the picnic area and heads off along Mountain Creek Road (4WD). After 1km, turn south and follow the track as the vegetation changes from tree ferns, sedges and tussock grasses to peppermint and blue gum forests. This is a great walk for a hot summer’s day.
Fainter Falls
1.5 km / 40 mins return
No bushwalking experience required. Formed track with hills and no steps. Clearly sign posted.
This walk is located 1km past Bogong Village, just before the Bogong High Plains Road crosses Fainter Creek. Start the walk opposite the car park. Follow the signed walking track, which provides spectacular views of Fainter Creek and Pretty Valley Creek to Fainter Falls and return on the same track.
Mount Bogong Walks
Mount Bogong is the highest peak in Victoria (1986 metres). Climbing Mount Bogong is strenuous and a high level of fitness is required. You must also be prepared for sudden unexpected weather changes.
Staircase
16 km / 1 day return
Experienced bushwalkers only. Rough track with many obstacles and many steps that are very steep and difficult. Sign posted.
The track to the summit begins at the Mountain Creek Picnic Area and follows a vehicle track to the foot of the Staircase Spur, where the ascent begins through a forest of Peppermint Gums. Bivouac Hut, about halfway along the climb, offers emergency shelter before the track passes through snow
gums and out onto the steep rocky ridge leading to the summit plateau. The exposed treeless plain of the summit offers little shelter in poor weather. Strong winds, fog, freezing temperatures, rain and snow are all common at this altitude. Navigation can be extremely difficult so turn back at the tree line if conditions are poor or deteriorating.
Eskdale Spur
8 km / 6 hours return
Experienced bushwalkers only. Rough, very steep track with many obstacles and occasional steps. Sign posted.
Follow the track up Mountain Creek past the bottom of the Staircase Spur for approximately 5.5 km to Camp Creek Gap. The track climbs steeply up the Eskdale Spur past Michell Hut to the tree line where the track intersects with the Granite Flat Track. Once the shelter of the snow gums is left behind the remainder of the walk is very similar to the exposed rocky ascent of the Staircase onto the summit plateau.
Bogong High Plains Walks
Discover the beauty of the Bogong High Plains with the historic huts, snowgums and wildlife on the many walks.
Wallace – Cope Heritage Trail
6 km / 2.5 hours return
No bushwalking experience required. Formed track with gentle hills and no steps. Clearly sign posted.
This interpretive trail explores the history of the high plains starting at the Wallace Hut car park. From the car park, walk the short distance to historic Wallace Hut and continue past the hut to the aqueduct. Cross the aqueduct and follow the track to the right, past the Rover Chalet and onto the Australian Alps Walking Track to Cope Hut. Follow the track from Cope Hut toward the Bogong High Plains Road and return to Wallace Hut along a spectacular section of track with fine views toward Mount Kosciousko (2228m), Australia’s highest mountain.
Ropers Lookout
5 km / 1.5 hours return
No bushwalking experience required. Well-formed track with occasional steps and gentle hills.
The walk starts at the eastern end of the Rocky Valley Storage dam wall, 3km along the Bogong High Plains Road from Falls Creek. Follow the aqueduct for 1.5 km before climbing a small gully among snow gums. Ropers Lookout is a small basalt knoll with excellent views of the Falls Creek Alpine Resort and the Bogong High Plains. Return along the same route.