Australian Alpine Walking Track – AAWT

The Australian Alps Walking Track in Victoria

The Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) is one of Australia’s great long-distance bushwalking routes. Stretching for around 650 km from Walhalla (Victoria) to Tharwa (ACT), the track follows the spine of the Australian Alps through remote, rugged and spectacular country.

The Victorian section of the AAWT offers some of the most challenging, rewarding and iconic alpine walking in the state. It passes through vast areas of declared wilderness, high plains, remote river valleys and Australia’s highest mountains.

This page focuses on what walkers need to know about the Victorian section of the AAWT, including what to expect, how to prepare, and where to find reliable information.

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AAWT - The Victorian Section

The Victorian Section of the AAWT

  • Length: Approximately 390 km (Walhalla to the NSW border)

  • National Parks:

    • Alpine National Park

    • Baw Baw National Park

  • Highest point: Mount Bogong (1,986 m) - Victoria’s highest mountain

  • Typical duration: 3-6 weeks for the Victorian section

  • Track standard: Mostly unmarked, rough, and remote

The Victorian section begins at Walhalla, a historic gold-mining town, and travels north-east through the Greate Dividing Range, and across the rugged heart of the Alpine National Park before crossing into New South Wales.

The Victorian AAWT is renowned for its remoteness and self-reliance. Walkers can expect:

  • Long stretches without towns or resupply points

  • Alpine ridgelines with expansive views

  • River crossings that can become hazardous after rain

  • Highly variable weather, even in summer

  • A strong sense of isolation and wilderness

Many experienced bushwalkers consider the Victorian section to be the most demanding part of the entire AAWT, particularly due to navigation challenges, steep terrain, and unpredictable alpine conditions.

View the Australian Alps Walking Track Guide.

Navigation and Track Conditions

Navigation

The AAWT in Victoria is not a constructed walking track in the usual sense.

  • Large sections are unmarked or only intermittently marked

  • Walkers must rely on map and compass navigation

  • Overgrown sections, fallen timber, and indistinct pads are common

  • GPS devices can assist, but should never replace navigation skills

Good navigation skills are essential. This walk is not suitable for beginners or walkers without extensive off-track and remote-area experience.

Track Maintenance

The Victorian section of the AAWT is maintained through the dedication of a small team of Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC) volunteers, working to support rangers from Parks Victoria (PV) and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), in line with broader park management priorities. Working in some of Victoria’s most remote and challenging terrain, BTAC volunteers focus on sections of the AAWT that are overgrown, damaged, or difficult to follow.

The sheer length of the AAWT, combined with its remoteness and exposure to weather events, means it is not possible to keep every section in perfect condition, far from it. Instead, maintenance is thoughtful and targeted, often involving hard, physical work far from vehicle access.

This volunteer-led stewardship plays an important role in supporting land managers to keep the AAWT accessible and walkable for all bushwalkers.

How You Can Help

Share First-Hand Reports:

Walkers can directly support the ongoing care of the AAWT by sharing their own recent experiences on the track.  By passing on your observations, you help support the volunteers who care for this remarkable long-distance walk and contribute to its long-term sustainability.

If you encounter sections that are:

  • Heavily overgrown

  • Difficult to navigate

  • Eroded or damaged

  • Impacted by fallen trees or weather events

Please let BTAC know. First-hand reports help volunteers identify priority areas and plan future maintenance trips.

📧 Email BTAC at: btac@bushwalkingvictoria.org.au.

 

Volunteer with BTAC

BTAC welcomes all bushwalkers to join our track clearing and conservation activities.  From picking up sticks, to operating a rake, a brush cutter or hedge trimmer, there's a role for everyone.

Many BTAC projects take place over a weekend. Volunteers usually camp as a group, often with a BBQ dinner courtesy of land managers, and enjoy evenings around the campfire-sometimes even with a guitar. There’s a great sense of camaraderie and satisfaction in giving back to the tracks that give us so much.

All training, equipment and safety gear provided. Volunteer with BTAC

Safety and Preparation

Best Time to Walk

The safest time to walk the Victorian section is generally late November to April. Outside this period, snow, ice and severe weather significantly increase risk. Even in mid-summer, walkers should be prepared for snowfalls, strong winds, dense fog and extreme heat at lower elevations.

Always check weather forecasts and be prepared to change plans.

Safety and Preparation

Walking the Victorian section of the AAWT requires careful planning and a conservative approach.

Before setting out, walkers should ensure they have:

  • Proven experience in multi-day remote bushwalking

  • Strong navigation skills (map and compass essential)

  • Appropriate alpine clothing for all conditions

  • Sufficient food and fuel for extended periods

  • A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

  • A clear trip plan left with a reliable contact

Rescue in alpine and remote areas is difficult and can place emergency services at risk. Conservative decision-making is critical.

You can find extensive information about preparation and hiking safely in the Bushwalking Victoria - Bushwalking Manual.

Environmental Care

The AAWT passes through sensitive alpine environments that recover slowly from damage. Walkers are expected to:

  • Follow Leave No Trace principles

  • Camp on durable surfaces where possible

  • Avoid damaging fragile alpine vegetation

  • Carry out all rubbish, including drop-boxes

  • Respect seasonal track and park closures

Protecting these areas ensures they remain wild and accessible for future generations.

Maps, Guidebooks and Information

Maps, Guidebooks and Information

Reliable, up-to-date information is essential for anyone considering the the AAWT. Conditions change regularly, and walkers should never rely on outdated information.

Bushwalking Victoria encourages all walkers to prioritise safety, preparation and environmental care when planning any long-distance or remote walk.

Recommended resources include:

 

View the Australian Alpine Walking Track Guide