Alps Walking Track
General trip planning
On this page:
- Recommended camping sites
- Huts and their use
- Resorts
- Access
- Itinerary examples and fooddrops
- Transport
Recommended camping sites
Commencing at the Walhalla end of the Alps Track in Victoria, and heading north the following camping sites:
- have 2WD access
- are on or near the track
- have toilet facilities, and
- are good sites from which to explore sections of the Alps Track.
| Location | Name of camping ground |
|---|---|
| Baw Baw National Park | • Walhalla(North Gardens camping ground) • O'Sheas Mill Site (East Tyers Road) |
| Alpine National Park | • Howitt Hut (Howitt Road) • JB Plain (Mt Hotham area) • Langford West & Raspberry Hill (Bogong High Plains) • Taylors Crossing (Mitta Mitta River) • Limestone Creek & Native Dog Flat (East Alps) |
| Kosciuszko National Park | • Ngarigo and Thredbo Diggings (Thredbo area) • Island Bend • Long Plain Hut (Kiandra area) • Cooinbil Hut and Blue Water Holes (in the north) |
| Namadgi National Park | • Honeysuckle & Orroral Campgrounds |
Note: Refer to the Australian Alps Touring Map for more details on these and other camping grounds in the Alps area.
Huts and their use
The Australian Alps has around two hundred historic huts, some of which are located near the Alps Track. The huts come from every era and some of them date back to the 1860's. They were built for shelter by graziers, goldminers, foresters, government workers, skiers, and bushwalkers and each hut tells its own story.
These huts represent part of the rich cultural heritage of the Alps and they need to be managed to ensure their survival. You can help to protect these huts by following the Alps hut code below:
- Huts are for temporary shelter only, not for accommodation as their special values can be destroyed.
- Never rely on reaching a hut. Plan for every situation, take shelter before you get wet and tired.
- If you need to light a fire in a hut to keep warm, keep fires small and within existing fireplaces. Never leave a fire unattended and ensure it is out before leaving.
- Use a fuel stove. For cooking and reduce your use of firewood. Some areas are designated fuel stove only.
Resorts
The only comfort accommodation near the Alps Track is in the resort areas and townships of:
- Walhalla
- Rawson
- Baw Baw Alpine Village
- Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain Alpine Resorts
- Harrietville
- Falls Creek Alpine Resort
- Thredbo
- Charlotte Pass
- Perisher
Note: You will need to check if summer accommodation is available in the Alpine Resorts.
Access
The Australian Alps Walking Track is accessible out side the snow season by 2WD at a number of locations. The following is a list of the main 2WD access points beginning with Walhalla.
| General area | 2WD access |
|---|---|
| Walhalla / Baw Baw National Park | at numerous sealed road access points including the Walhalla township, Baw Baw National Park and via several gravel roads in, and just north of this area. |
| Alpine National Park / Mt Howitt area | via Tamboritha Road |
| Alpine National Park / Bogong High Plains | at: • Mt Hotham via the Great Alpine Road • Cope Hut (closed in winter) via Bogong High Plains Road |
| Mt Willis Historic Area Via Omeo Highway at Glen Willis | Alpine National Park / Mitta Mitta River area Via: • Taylors Crossing • Benambra Corryong Road |
| Alpine National Park / Buenba Hut Site | at Beloka Road (may be closed during winter) |
| Kosciuszko National Park / Dead Horse Gap, Thredbo | via the Alpine Way |
| Kosciuszko National Park / Perisher, Charlotte Pass, Guthega | Kosciuszko Road (closed in winter past Perisher) |
| Kosciuszko National Park / Kiandra and Blue Water Holes area | via: • Snowy Mountains Highway • Long Plain Road & Blue Water Holes Trail (both closed in winter) |
| Namadgi National Park | via: • Orroral Road • Apollo Road • Nass Road at Namadgi Visitor Centre |
Note: For more details see the Australian Alps Touring Map.
Itinerary examples and fooddrops
For interested walkers the Australian Alps Walking Track Itinerary (alps-itinerary.pdf - 52 KB) is one example of an itinerary from a recent overland walk on the Alps Track. Please note that the walkers did attempt to complete some very long days.
On longer walks it may be necessary to make food drops. At the resort areas you can most likely leave food somewhere in cardboard boxes. At other locations you will need to pack your food in secure, animal proof containers and hide in the bush so that only you can find them. And remember to collect the containers after the walk.
John Chapman's web site also provides suggested itineraries for walking the entire length of the track, how to prepare for food drops and what permits are required.
Transport
If you are planning to walk the whole Alps Track or a particular section you will need to consider how you get to your start point and return from your finishing point.
If completing the whole track and starting at Walhalla: a train service leaves daily from Melbourne to Moe (closest town with public transport access). Moe is about 50 km to the south of Walhalla and from there you will need to either arrange your own drop off or get a taxi. There is no public transport between Moe and Walhalla.
If finishing the walk at the Namadgi Visitor Centre in Tharwa, you will also find that there is no public transport to or from the Visitor Centre. Canberra is approximately 30 km away and can be reached by taxi.