Not only is it important to meet dietary requirements that will adequately provide enough energy for the next day, eating well can also be a source of great comfort and pleasure. crest of the range. Food drops or a support crew are necessary, as the trail passes through no towns, although it passes close to the ski resorts of Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Baw Baw, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass and Perisher. common. 2023 Bogong Equipment Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia. only detailed maps are the 1:25,000 series. Thirty litre plastic drums were loaded with food and fuel rations for each section of the expedition. To tackle the track you should be an experienced bushwalker, used to travelling in remote areas, and skilled in the use of map and compass. My plan was to hike up to Mt Jim and camp there but that had all changed after I got down the very long and steep Diamantina Spur. In Namadgi National Park fuel stove only areas are areas close to public roadways, walking tracks, huts, ecologically sensitive sites and the Cotter River Catchment. no major facilities. maps is invaluable in finding your way out of the alps to the nearest Day 5 and 6 - Australian Alps Walking Track Another cold night, this time Happy's Hut style it has become pretty easy to wake up with the sun at 5:30 to 6 am. I chucked out some food last night as well as I am still just oversupplied with food. The Victorian Alps is a vast and beautiful alpine area featuring the state's highest peaks. Felt like a hidden little park separate from the rest of the high plans. Find out about any hazards or risks and how to deal with them. Proper sticks haha. Manage to push all the snow off and prop up the little awning I made the evening before with getting out of the tent. Mountains (there are now three water tanks) and around Mt McDonald (its a long walk to water). huge timber sign showing Well it started to rain about an hour before I got there and I could see that there is a hut just before Fiddlers Green up a little side road. existing tracks thus reducing costs. Any system is suitable as long as you have capacity to carry adequate water, a 6L water capacity is recommended. Not to worry, it gives me a chance to read up on the next section across the Barry Mountains which I am really looking forward to. a long distance and no campsites are provided - indeed camping was It is 655 km long, starting at Walhalla, Victoria and running through to Tharwa, ACT near Canberra. the valley in one day - basically walk from Murray Gap to beyond I solo walked the AAWT in February 2002, however, I started from Warburton and used the Upper Yarra Trail to link into the AAWT. nothing, all would soon be lost. Traverse spectacular rainforests, low wetlands, alpine passes, and glacial valleys via New Zealand's Milford Track. Because I didnt open the box there was no charge this service in itself is worth using Australia Post. I had meet so many people that week, it was a bit weird after not seeing anyone at the beginning. It was an epic week last week dropping all the food drops of. hiring a car make sure you are allowed to drive along unsealed Boots are a popular choice for hikers on the AAWT because they provide more support in the rougher terrain. walkers use a combination of bus then taxi to get to the Info: Best done in the warmer months. Then have a good nights sleep. Ultralight Survival Made Easy. The official guide suggests 5 to 8 weeks to cover the distance but not many walkers do it in one trip. You can walk the track in ten weeks, but many people choose to walk shorter sections such as those on the Baw Baw Plateau, the Bogong High Plains, and in the Jagungal Wilderness Area. the entire track in detail and also includes 1:50,000 colour private transport is needed (hire a car for three to five days) who want to share and expand skill sets with each other whilst walking and enjoying the Australian Alps Walking . 1:25,000 and they are Davies Plain, Tom Groggin, Chimneys Ridge, You can help to protect these huts by following the Alps hut code below: For more information about visiting the huts see the Huts Code. In fact, I have used all three options described above and in various combinations. Date/Time Date(s) - 11 Nov 2013 until 25 Nov 2013 Category(ies) . It has been over two years since I walked the long spur to Mt Wills and was very much a different experience to what I remember. From pole 333 I straight lined it for Mt Jim and it didnt disappointed I love it. It is important to collect your food drops once you have completed the trail. The tanks often have larvae or other such swimmers in them. ideal walking maps and leave off many details. I believe its the best marked part of the whole walk. The lack of markers in these regions is deliberate, You will need a set of thermals such as the Icebreaker 260 Tech Leggings and crew top as well as a good fleece or insulated jacket. Set amongst heritage-listed highlands and the Gondwana Rainforests, the trail itself is a mix of 4WD track, packed earth and. with over 27,000 metres of climbing and descending it is indeed For a recent 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. Most walkers would There is no public transport to the town and some it a very scenic varied walk. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 17 maps cover the entire track. When I pack a food drop, variety and practicality are at the forefront of my mind. I start today reading some inspirational print out from my wife and then get packed. into the forests - something they had been doing since the massive And not not just a little bit. Experience white sandy beaches, Karri forests, rocky beach-side ledges and thundering surf while walking Australia's Cape to Cape route. I set up camp again but this time everything is already wet from the previous night. On the AAWT: Annie and her little hiking partner (RIP) somewhere near Mt Speculation. However, these alpine sections are brief and most of the track follows forestry fire trails that weren't designed with hikers in mind. The main aim in resupply is to provide you with food when and where you want it and if possible providing a degree of flexibility. At that stage bushwalkers A small booklet 'Australian Alps Walking Track - Map Guide', Food dumps are usually arranged On the Australian Alps Walking Track you will visit some of Australias finest alpine national parks. Located in the Central Highlands and Alpine regions of Victoria, the Australian Alps Walking Track is considered to be one of the most difficult long-distance bushwalking trails. Day -31 It ends before it begins. The 680km Australian Alps Walking Track is a trail for experienced hikers. John Chapmans 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. This was the first of the extremely long distance tracks in A good quality down sleeping bag rated to at least -10 is recommended. They are regulars at many venues across the valley towns and mountains of north eastern Victoria. facilities. You need to be equipped for camping in all conditions and to be familiar with the symptoms and treatment of dangerous cold stress (hypothermia) and heat stress (hyperthermia). The southern end I got my breath back and headed to Red Jacket camp site and enjoyed reading all the historical markers on the way. A good rain coat is a must. Although the term 'alps' is a stretch, the AAWT follows and crosses much of the highest mountains in Australia. Besides New South Wales, Victoria is also popular for skiing. proposed - it has thus become a symbol of the common link between all It traverses rugged remote alpine country and bushwalkers must always be experienced, self reliant and have good navigation skills. 2020 Australian Alps Walking Track. 4. Planning for your walk on the Australian Alps Walking Track is a matter of following common sense guidelines. the current title of 'Australian Alps Walking Track'. Disclaimer The 'official' track often follows roads and theguide provides some pleasant alternatives. A good option is the Bridgedale Hike Mid Performance Sock. Where one hiker will opt for a sturdy boot, something like the Asolo TPS 520 or 535, another hiker will use a lightweight boot such as the La Sportiva Pyramid or even a trail runner such as the Salomon XA Pro 3D. This track involves traversing some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the country and anyone attempting to complete the walk end-to-end should be experienced and capable in multi-day, self-supported hikes. Copyright, View australianalpsnationalparkss profile on Facebook, Pathways through the wilderness VIC and NSW, National Landscapes and National Heritage, Green Book and Gold Book Rehabilitation Guides, Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology, Australian Institute for Applied Alpine Studies, Australian Alps Walking Track Itinerary (PDF 61 KB). However there If completing the whole track and starting at Walhalla: a train service leaves daily from Melbourne to Moe (closest town with public transport access). wilderness areas park management has signposted every fire trail with a Route: Australian Alps Walking Track (NSW) New South Wales, AU Distance 594.2 km "The Australian Alps Walking Track is a long distance walking trail through the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and ACT. alps, there are no towns or re-supply points along the track (see itineraries below). It generally takes 5 to 8 weeks to complete. Then Rumpff saddle where my first food drop is. Had a very close call with a tiger snake yesterday. Re: Australian Alps Walking Track Fri 31 Jan, 2014 11:49 am Most of the water issues are between Walhalla and Hotham and it really depends on the season as to the severity of the problem. of the Bibbulmun site as 'The Alpine Way'). There are several ski resorts close to the track, which can provide a Use as many as required around a tree trunk or log. For the sections below, rest days They do not satisfy the Australian Standard for track triangles but the in a few areas but no permits are required, such restrictions The Australian Alps Walking Track is a 665 km (413 mi) from Walhalla to the very edge of Namadgi National Park in Canberra and the trail passes neat some of the highest peaks of both the states of NSW and Victoria as well as the ACT. not the case. Food drops required. Was such a peaceful walk up to pole 333 with the mist slowly lifting as I hiked up the remaining part of Weston Spur. The Viking has to be the high light of the walk so far. While some hikers use trekking poles or tent pegs to dig cat holes, this can be time consuming and less than ideal if you are in a rush. For most people this option works well for hikes (or components of a hike) up to and around eight days in duration. The Australian Alps contains Australia's only peaks exceeding 2000m above sea-level, all of which are located in the subrange, the Snowy Mountains. In addition, many of the plastics used are translucent which also isnt the best option for storing food. There are great campsites along the AAWT, I never had a problem finding enough space for my two-person tent. the AAWT but at 210km is shorter and has many road access points making In March 2009 Luke and Simon placed 10 supply drops at marked points along the Australian Alps Walking Track. The bush bash out felt a lot harder then going in. upgraded the fire trails to roads - hardly what most people would call Water is readily available along the whole trail, it requires careful planning as to where and if it is available, as well as consideration on consumption. No rain tomorrow but overcast. start. Over the years I have seen hikers carry varying pack sizes and weights ranging from an extreme 34 kg down to a more typical weight somewhere around 14-17 kg (including food, water and all gear). New yellow track markers have replaced the older blue markers to improve visibility and to meet new Australian standards. Australian Alps Walking Track Itinerary (PDF - 61 KB ) EN. areas were being tamed and bushwalkers soon began to realise there them hard to find in scrub or almost impossible to find after be used for navigation as the scale is too small.This can be downloaded from the web. They are really not friendly. In this article we discuss those options and detail how they work. I got this morning at 11am to low saddle. Now I had to cross the river two more times and find the track heading north up a spur to Mt Shillinglaw. Wills (due Australian Alps Walking Track: 2 Day Solo Hike - YouTube Australian Alps Walking Track - Mount Erica car park to Stronachs campsite and back. I keep my food drops in durable 25L water storage drums. Keep in mind that if it is a dry year tanks, creeks and springs may be dry. Express Post is more expensive but on my recent. use in all the alpine areas - in most alpine areas fires are banned I very much enjoyed your film of your 12 day practice walk. 40 days but most groups seem to take between 45 and 55 days. I always take a pair of thick, warm socks to sleep in as I get very cold feet. Make sure to have it registered with your personal information, test it before your trip and be aware that different brands and models have different battery lives. If sending to a main post office you will only be able to access the box during business hours. to cross the state border in a more suitable location for continuing There is a physical limit to how much you can carry in your pack from a both a weight and a bulk perspective which will vary from individual to individual. Some hikers will plan out each day and stick to this schedule, when I plan a hike I will usually over estimate how long each section will take me, packing enough food for the maximum amount of time for each section. Be warned, the snowmelt will also cause rivers to rise, making crossings icy cold and at times waist deep, or higher. The Australian Alps Walking Track is 650 kilometres of mountainous and often remote walking. I like the flexibility this system allows me. I also tend to stick to the sides as you get more grip. Got up early the next morning very excited about exploring a new area of the high plans. was made in 1948, by the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria. . Enter your email address to receive Alps news by email. These maps are not essential but are well worth Perisher Valley, Geehi Dam, Jagungal, In late summer water can be maps are published by Vicmap, the New South Wales and ACT areas Answer: The track is about 650 Km from the ACT to Victoria. I am warm and cosy in my tent. There is no special map set for this track. In all, destroy wilderness values. Coming down Casper Creek Track. Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea. And remember to collect the containers after the walk. Water tanks have been provided for walkers at the following locations in Alpine National Park: Barry Saddle, Johnnies Top,East Riley Track intersection, South Selwyn and the Twins. I hadn't been able . Walking Track as a model or inspiration. Search. Then it took about an hour to bush bash to get to the second river crossing where there was another log crossing. In 2017, my adventures came to an end when I struggled with an undiagnosable leg injury. The best time to hike the AAWT is between October and March. some of which still exist today. Depending on the length and location of your walk, you may need to allow 1-2 days of travelling time to cache for an upcoming trip. If you love peak-bagging, and bush-bashing, this is your hike. I recycle these large bags and have a number I have been using for over four years. Sign up to the Bogong newsletter for exclusive offers, new product alerts and more! Have checked the weather, looks like it will snow till the evening and winds will ease. The hike should take around 49 days to complete. Upper Yarra Track from the outskirts of Melbourne to the Baw Baw This will be just about the best week of your life! days - 14.3km, 600m Currently there are no published notes for the Upper Yarra The Australian Alps Walking Track winds through the high country of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. Along with all of your food it is also a good idea to have packed in a food drop the following items: You can leave your rubbish and any gear you may want to get rid of in the food drop. Hotham, Omeo Highway (Sunnyside) or Benamrbra-Corryong Road, Buenba Hut, Thredbo and Kiandra. During spring, he did a test run, hiking from Hotham to Thredbo (starting in Harrietville). It is important to have clothing that offers sun protection. Taped securely to the container I have a laminated sheet with my name, contact information and trip intentions. per day) and is not recommended. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. At this point I was thinking I should have just walked through the river to get here and saved all the bush bashing, I was soaking wet anyway because of all the wet branches. The most effective way to manage food is by leaving food drops. Track A father and son who left 10 days after me. My shoes, clothes, wet weather gear are all soaking wet except for what I am wearing. It was a 12 day hike covering 250 km, the middle section of the Australian Alps Walking Track. Track in Tasmania, the Bibbulmun Traveling faster than you planned is fine because that means you will have food left over. wilderness areas. Another controversy also exists over the official route Have checked the weather, looks like it will snow till the evening and winds will ease. On this tour, we'll walk across grassy snow plains, climb rocky summits and take in spectacular alpine vistas and dramatic river valleys. Use an oil based undercoat and paint using a top coat that will blend in with the surrounding bush. the governments of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT recognised Means I have finished another stage of the walk and I have fresh treats and more toilet paper. the Kosciuszko National Park as most of the time it does not follow the These work well because they are animal and weather proof. non-walking day at some of the food drops. After a couple of hours bush bashing I finally find the camp site on the N15 track and made camp. Everest!). Follow us on Instagram . I must of went a little of route up the top cause I ending up actually rock climbing on a little section to finally get up. After heading off the track for Christmas, Josh is back, taking a direct route to the High Plains rather than following the AAWT: I spent boxing day in Mt Beauty kayaking down the Kiewa River with friends were I meet Coral who told me about a beautiful water fall with a swimming hole not far from the Australian Alps Walking Track on the Bogong High Plains. Choose a delivery location from the handy online map. better than the I use my beloved Outdoor Research Peruvian Hat, it has a tightly woven wind proof fleece with ear flaps and a chin strap. Privacy I hiked the AAWT in 2013 and again in 2018. Every hikers food requirements are different and are based on personal preferences and dietary requirements. Annie Trumble. The Australian Alps Walking Track winds through the high country of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. Benambra, Jacobs River, Kosciuszko, Tantangara, Berridale, Michelago, VICMAP 1:50,000 - Walhalla, Aberfeldy, Skene, Moroka, Selwyn, Of course, politics intervened and the track was re-named to Tips and Tricks . The route was marked with distinctive yellow diamond markers, Smaller post offices that are combined with general stores will typically be accessible during the shop opening hours but you will need to check this prior to your walk if you are expecting to arrive out-of-hours, Another option with postal resupply is to send a box to your planned accomodation. The track essentially follows the crest of the alpine range Most of these roads are surfaced with gravel so if Continuing the Australian Alps Walking Track through Kosciuszko National Park (NSW) and Namadgi National Park (ACT) turned that dream into reality. never be interested in dodging He left Walhalla on December 5, heading towards Baw Baw Plateau. There is a short film about the walk here. I couldnt stop myself until it had flattened out a bit. I feel a lot better for having taken the short day. Extending the Alpine National Park to BawBaw, The Alps/ South East Forests World Heritage nominationproposal, Submission on proposed Mount Buller 100 Megalitredam, Alpine Traditional Owners re-asserting theirrights, Gunaikurnai and Taungurung negotiate boundaries in the HighCountry, Interviews, profiles & the backcountrylife, Old Growth. Woke up with the tent semi caved in this morning at Whitelaw Hut Site. In the early 1990's, a major change occurred when See our Lightweight Food For Hiking blog for effective menu planning methods. I always carry a beanie with me and wear it most days. And walking in the hills. require adequate walking skills. . This section proved to be a very challenging navigational process leading up to the fire trail. See our