Alpine National Park

The Alpine National Park stretches from central Gippsland all the way to the New South Wales border where it adjoins Kosciuszko National Park. Within the park are some of Australia's most stunning alpine landscapes, including mountain peaks, escarpments and grassy high plains.

There are plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, from hikes to plunging waterfalls or the summits of Victoria's highest peaks - Mount Feathertop, Mount Bogong and Mount Howitt - to the network of tracks among the Snow Gums, summer wildflowers and historic mountain huts of the Bogong High Plains.

Other activities include cross-country skiing (with downhill skiing at adjoining resorts), camping, canoeing, cycling, four-wheel driving and horse riding in the warmer seasons

Things to do

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

One of Victoria's icon walks, the 37km Falls-Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) is a 3 day/2 night walk through the Alpine National Park, linking the resort villages of Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.

Winding its way along alpine ridges through snow gum woodlands and snow grass plains, over rocky summits and past historic huts, this 3 day hike offers an achievable and rewarding hiking challenge with spectacular views every step.

The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is a point to point walk, accessible for hiking from November to April. The track can be walked in either direction but is best when starting from Falls Creek and walking towards Mt Hotham.

There are two campsites on the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing: Cope Hut Campsite, amongst the snowgums on the Bogong High Plains, is 14km from the trailhead and usually the first night's campsite. Dibbins Hut Campsite is on a snowgrass plain near the headwaters of the Cobungra River. permit is required to camp at the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing campsites.

Tali Karng

Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains. The lake is believed to have been formed about 1500 years ago when a massive rock slide collapsed into the valley damming the waters of Nigothoruk Creek above Wellington River. The water runs underground from the lake to emerge as the infant Wellington River 150m below in the Valley of Destruction.

Starting at McFarlane's Saddle on the Moroka Rd, the walk across the Wellington Plain to Nyimba Camp and Riggall Old Hut site is approx 9km on a gentle gradient. Walkers with 4WD vehicles may choose to start their walk at Millers Hut. From Millers Hut it is approx one hour walk to Nyimba Camp. From Nyimba Camp to Tali Karng via Gillios Track is about 4.5km with a descent of almost 600m and will take the average walker about two hours with light packs (allow 2.5 - 3 hours for the return walk uphill, climbing almost 600m).

Riggall Spur Track and Echo Point Track provide an alternative route between Nyimba Camp and Tali Karng. The distance is a little longer but on a slightly easier grade.

The route to Tali Karng from the south leaves the Tamboritha Road and follows the Wellington River Walking Track then either Clive Lanigan Track (through Valley of Destruction) or via Riggall Spur Track and Echo Point Track to the lake. This route includes some 16 river crossings so use care and do not attempt to cross if river levels are high following recent rain.

The difficult route to Tali Karng via Mt Margaret is unmaintained and poorly defined for much of its length between Tamboritha Road and Dolodrook River. Remote navigation skills are required. From the Dolodrook River it follows a 4WD track past the Chromite Mine then Brandy Pinch Track to join the Clive Lanigan Walking Track below the Valley of Destruction.

Horse riders can use Wellington Plains, Millers Hut, Riggall Spur and Echo Point Tracks. Horses are not permitted within 200m of the Lake and a horse-yard is provided on Echo Point Track. Horses are not permitted on the Clive Lanigan or Gillios Walking Tracks and Wellington River Walking Track is currently unsuitable for horses.

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