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BWV Walk Directory

Wonnangatta Valley Overnight

Distance:  17 Km   |  Duration:  7 Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 4   |  Rating:    |  Style:  One Way

Best Season:  Summer, Autumn, Spring

About the Walk

Overview

A walk through spectacular alpine plains and forest, with magnificent views across the mountains and down into the Wonnangatta Valley. Take some time to explore the history and remains of the Wonnangatta Station area and the nearby cemetery. This walk was supported by the Macalister 4WD Club which transported food and camping supplies down into Wonnangatta.

The Walk in Detail

Start walking from the Bryces Gorge picnic area. Take the signposted track towards Guys Hut. After 1 km note an interpretive sign about Guys Hut, then visit the old, restored hut. Take the signposted track towards Conglomerate Falls and Wonnangatta. After about 1.5 km the track splits. Take the left track towards Wonnangatta. The track is fairly level, with tussock grass and scattered snow gums. For a while the track is overgrown and frequently indistinct as the course follows a shallow valley beside the Conglomerate Creek. Crossing the creek headwaters, continue heading N/NE until reaching the 1,400m contour. Here the foot track becomes benched as it winds its way down towards the Dry River far below. This could be a suitable spot for morning tea. The switchback track trends NE for 2–3 km before bending back NW until near the bottom of the descent. Cross a small creek and follow the track eastward, parallel to the Dry River. From the west, the Bicentennial National Trail merges with our track. The track crosses the Dry River at a ford, with stepping stones. After crossing a deer hunters’ campsite, the track becomes a 4WD track, with easy walking. After about 4 km we will meet the vehicles from the Macalister 4WD Touring and Social Club. The combined group will set up camp together for the night. In the morning we will have the opportunity to explore the Wonnangatta Station area, before being driven back to our cars via the Zeka Spur Track.

Getting There

From Licola Wilderness Village, turn right out of the gate and, crossing the Macalister River, immediately turn left. Follow Tamboritha Road to Arbuckle Junction (46kms), veer left onto Howitt Road, pass Snowy Plains airfield to Bryces Gorge car park on the right. The road is unsealed beyond Wellington River (22kms). There is ample parking and a toilet available. 67kms.

Walk Precautions

Additional Information

While this walk is listed as a one way walk. A 4X4 vehicle is required to access Wonnangatta Valley. Alternatively the walk can be done as an overnight walk returning along the same route.

Licola
No
Southern Alps
2021

GPX File:  

McMillan #2

Distance:  13 Km   |  Duration:  7 Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 4   |  Rating:    |  Style:  One Way

Best Season:  Summer, Spring

About the Walk

Overview

If you enjoy high country meadows in full bloom, sweeping vistas of ethereal mountain ranges, the challenge of finding a route, sometimes indistinct and the scrambling descent of steep spurs into a pristine river system, this is the walk for you. The walk follows McMillans Walking Track from Mount Tamboritha to Breakfast Creek. There are prominent views of The Crinoline and Ben Cruachan is seen on the horizon.

The Walk in Detail

A short way (600metres) along Dingo Hill Track from the saddle, turn left onto a 4WD track that climbs steeply onto the ridge between Mount Tamboritha and Little Tamboritha. Once on the ridge, turn right and follow a foot pad north for 1km to the cairn at the summit of Mount Tamboritha (1509m). Do a U-turn and follow McMillans Walking Track southwest along the crest of a broad ridge, well defined with many markers. Little Tamboritha is the next stop. Continue west, descending the broad ridge giving excellent views to the south, pass a dam and enter woodland. The track becomes less well defined. Clearings on the left-hand side of the ridge just below a large knoll afford a good lunch spot with great views. Climb across the sloping clearing and turn left onto a spur coming down from the knoll and descend south then south west. The track becomes better defined and easier to follow but some of the lower sections are steep and covered with loose gravel and we will move carefully. Walking poles are recommended. At the end of the spur there are excellent views over Red Box Camp beside the Wellington River. The track then veers right and heads steeply west descending into Breakfast Creek.

Getting There

From the Licola Wilderness Village, head back towards Heyfield, crossing the Macalister River and immediately turn left. Follow Tamboritha Road to Breakfast Creek. We will leave our cars at Breakfast Creek and get a ride with others to Tamboritha Saddle. Distance from the Licola Wilderness Village to Breakfast Creek is 19km and to the start of the walk is 37 km.

Walk Precautions

Additional Information

Licola
No
Southern Alps
2021

GPX File:  

The Crinoline

Distance:  12 Km   |  Duration:  7 Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 4   |  Rating:    |  Style:  Return   |  Map

Best Season:  Summer, Autumn, Spring

About the Walk

Overview

A steep climb up the spur to the ridge-line, then north along the ridge to the final climb over the rocky terraces and a heart stopping ridge to the summit of The Crinoline (Mt Ligar) with fabulous 360 degree views. Lunch at the top and then an equally steep descent!

The Walk in Detail

This is the Federation Walks Weekend signature walk. Start walking north from Breakfast Creek climbing a steep spur on the McMillan Walking Track. This part of the track is in excellent condition. The climb is made a little easier by the 30 zig-zags (to Smith Street). The track veers north west on a knoll at 748m. Keep following up the spur to the Sugarloaf-Crinoline ridge, then turn north along the ridge to the Crinoline (Mt Ligar). More climbing with less distinct zig-zags and then a scramble across rocky terraces and through some scrub to the summit. The summit offers 360 degree views. Test your knowledge on the many summits and ridge lines that are visible. Descend off The Crinoline back to a ridge then south along the rocky ridge to pick up McMillans Walking Track and descend back to Breakfast Creek and cars. There are no toilets. Carry sufficient water, lunch, sturdy footwear. Carry suitable alpine weather clothing for this walk. Conversely it can be extremely hot. Gaiters and walking poles are recommended.

Getting There

From Licola Village, head north following the Wellington River on the Tamboritha Rd to Breakfast Creek, parking on the left at the Breakfast Creek bridge or the Melbourne Grammar camp on your left, 200m before second crossing of the Wellington River. Distance from the Licola Wilderness Village to the start of the walk is 19 km.

Walk Precautions

Additional Information

Licola
No
Southern Alps
2021

GPX File:  

Tali Karng Overnight

Distance:  19 Km   |  Duration:  13 Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 4   |  Rating:    |  Style:  Return

Best Season:  Summer, Autumn, Spring

About the Walk

Overview

The area was severely impacted in the 2019 bushfires and evidence of the event can still be seen along sections of the track. Views of Mt Wellington and Spion Kopje dominate the Wellington Plains scenery on the way to Nyimba camp. Descending down to the Lake involves a circuit walk by going down Riggalls Spur and returning via the steeper Gillios Spur. Lake Tali Karng may be considered the highlight of this walk as the lake is not only serene but scenic as well. Time permitting, a visit to Snowden Falls is worth the effort. Our overnight stay is at the historic Millers Hut with dinner and breakfast provided by the Macalister 4WD Club.

The Walk in Detail

Although an overnight hike, this walk will be supported by a 4WD team who will transport our gear to Millers Hut. Only day packs are required. Commencing from McFarlane Saddle, this walk passes through snow gum woodland before reaching the open grasslands of the Wellington Plain. The track passes the ruins of Dunsmuir Hut and continues towards the headwaters of the Moroka River at Moroka Gap. Views of Mt Wellington and Spion Kopje are highlights. After 9km we arrive at Nyimba campsite and turn west past the old Riggalls Hut site and down Riggalls Spur Track to Echo Point located above Lake Tali Karng. Departing Riggalls Spur we descend to the lake and lunch. There will be the opportunity to explore the lake and its surrounds including Snowden Falls on Nigothoruk Creek. We will need to depart the lake by 3:00pm, negotiating a very steep 700 metre ascent of Gillios Track along a well-defined footpad. At the junction of Gillios and Riggalls Spur track, we head east passing Nyimba campsite and crossing Nigothoruk Creek, shortly thereafter arriving at Millers Hut, meeting up with our gear and the 4WD team from Macalister 4WD Club. There are no toilets at Millers Hut but there are ample camping sites and water is available nearby.

Getting There

Walk Precautions

Additional Information

There are many options available in doing this walk. The one presented is supported by 4X4 vehicles.

Licola
No
Southern Alps
2021

GPX File:  

Long Hill

Distance:  24 Km   |  Duration:  9 Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 5   |  Rating:    |  Style:  One Way

Best Season:  Summer, Autumn, Spring

About the Walk

Overview

Quite simply a great walk if you are into Type 2 fun, and have good knees! The best sampler of the lower alps, up over Mt Tamboritha (1509m), a quick walk along the 4WD track to the The Rock Shelter (1140m), amazing views and steep cliffs and vague footpads along the way to Long Hill (1286m), the continuous drop with rarely seen northerly aspects of the Crinoline, the narrow ledges and open exposure getting to The Crinoline (1165m), the rock hopping on the fast drop to more sheltered forest, the countless switchbacks as you drop from 1200m to 300m.

The Walk in Detail

What can you say when an overnight walk is crammed into a day walk and then is rated very hard? After a great walk over Mt Tamboritha and a brief respite at the rock shelter, this walk starts to get serious; the footpad continues west staying close to the escarpment for 4kms; the continuous outstanding views to the north cease on reaching the Long Hill (1286m) camp. From here an untracked section leads nearly due west through some dense shrub before turning south, keeping to the western cliff edges. Do not follow the old overgrown track shown on many maps along Long Hill Creek. Two kilometres from Long Hill, a large cairn marks the turn to the Long Hill camp and nearby water. The traverse gets more difficult from here, with the track being indistinct and crossing several rock scrambles; a steep descent leads to a saddle to The Crinoline, the western path shown on many maps does not exist and the easiest way to traverse The Crinoline is to sidle the western side following a series of cairns; interestingly, in contrast to the rest of the hill, the top is composed of a small stunted forest of snow gums. Follow the spur south, the pad is poorly defined for the first kilometre and involves some slippery descents, some rock hopping and dense scrub; slowly it opens to a more defined pad, flatter and starts a series of switchbacks leading to a pleasant wander towards the MMWT/Smiths St junction. From here you feel it is over; but you still have 3km and another 500m to drop and 30 more switch backs; at the least the track is well defined and easy to follow. This is a long day walk with very significant total ascent/descents and is best suited to very fit walkers. While no special equipment is required, walking poles may be of assistances for the long descent and climbs. No water is readily available on the walk. Please bring enough energy supplying food and snacks and equipment/gear/clothing suitable for a long day in an alpine/sub-alpine region.

Getting There

From Licola Wilderness Village cross the bridge heading south and immediately turn left onto the Tamboritha Road. Follow the road for 19km to Breakfast Creek. We will leave our cars here and take a ride with others to Tamboritha Saddle, the starting point for our walk, 37km from the Licola Wilderness Village .

Walk Precautions

Additional Information

Licola
No
Southern Alps
2021

GPX File:  

Mackenzie Falls Walk

Distance:  2.5 Km   |  Duration:  1 Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 1   |  Rating:    |  Style:  TBA

Best Season:  All Year

About the Walk

Overview

Short easy walk to spectacular falls. Involves steps down to bottom of falls. Lovely spot for a picnic lunch or swim.

The Walk in Detail

Short easy walk to spectacular falls. Involves steps down to bottom of falls. Lovely spot for a picnic lunch or swim.

Getting There

Take the bus to ... or drive to.... Then go to the ...

Walk Precautions

Watch out for snow in winter

Additional Information

  APV002 - Toilets APV001 - Information APV007 - Picnic Shelter Waterfall APV038 - Drinking Water APV011 - Electric BBQ


Yes
TBA

GPX File:  

Crolls Gorge

Distance:  13 Km   |  Duration:  5 Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 4   |  Rating:    |  Style:  Return

Best Season:  Summer, Autumn, Spring

About the Walk

Overview

This is a walk for those who like wet feet and special places. Largely unknown and mostly bypassed by the hundreds of people walking to or from Lake Tali Karng, it is a delightful walk through the red-rocked gorge and the crystal-clear waters of the Wellington River. Water dragons are a common sight. This is not a long walk and there are no hard climbs but the 14 river crossings on the Wellington River Track and many crossings and sections of downstream wading in the gorge itself mean that you will spend a lot of time in the water.

The Walk in Detail

This walk follows the Wellington River through a spectacular, rocky gorge known as Crolls Gorge (named after bushman and poet Robert Henderson Croll 1869-1947). We start at the Lake Tali Karng car park just before the sealed road ends. From the car park we join the start of the foot track leading to Lake Tali Karng (traditional name meaning 'Little Lake'). Moving up stream, this follows the right bank of the river to a ford, then re-crosses the river repeatedly every few hundred metres. After the seventh crossing, the track leaves the river and, after a short distance, climbs to Shaws Gap (502m). Shortly after, we leave the track and descend through open scrub along a gully to the river. From there the route is downstream through the gorge, following whichever bank offers the easiest passage or wading down the stream when necessary. After about 3.5 km the route re-joins the Wellington River Track, which we follow out, reversing the inward route across the seven river crossings. Hopefully you have dry socks and shoes in the car. You need good balance. Consider trail shoes or runners, which are lighter when full of water, or old boots. The route along the bank has short rock scrambles and scrubby sections without a defined track. For these reasons the walk has been graded ‘hard’. Walk duration and degree of physical difficulty will be highly dependent on the river level. Walking poles may be handy. A waterproof liner for your pack is advised. Generally, the water is not much more than knee deep, however, some rock scrambling may be required if you want to avoid the couple of deeper sections (no more than waist deep).

Getting There

From Licola Village cross the bridge heading south and immediately turn left onto the Tamboritha Road. The walking track starts at the third bridge across the Wellington, just before the sealed road turns to gravel. Distance from the Licola Wilderness Village to the start of the walk is 22 km.

Walk Precautions

Additional Information

Licola
No
Southern Alps
2021

GPX File:  

The Rock Shelter

Distance:  20 Km   |  Duration:  7 Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 4   |  Rating:    |  Style:  Return

Best Season:  Summer, Autumn, Spring

About the Walk

Overview

This is a spectacular Fedwalk. The walk over Mt. Tamboritha* and parts of the Long Hill Track afford spectacular views of the high country. The Rock Shelter is a remarkable end point for the walk. The routes of several other walks such as Mt. Reynard, Long Hill and The Crinoline may all be seen from vantage points along the route.<br /> *Mt Tamboritha is the traditional name in the Braiakaulung language.

The Walk in Detail

Beginning at Tamboritha Saddle we walk 0.5 km northeast on Dingo Hill Track before turning westerly onto an unnamed 4WD track for a kilometre through the wet forest transitioning to snow gums and snow grass. There are some great views of Mt Wellington and the Wellington Plains. The 4WD track ends as it enters an open plain and intersects with the MMWT; with the tree-topped Little Tamboritha (1,468m) clearly visible to the left (southwest), turn right and follow a foot pad north easterly for 250m, watching for the turn through the snow gums and then north along a well-defined footpad 0.5kms to the cairn marking the highest point of this walk; Mt Tamboritha (1509m). From here there are great views west to The Crinoline and northeast to Mt Reynard. The occasional cairn and track markers are found along the entire route but are not reliable. From here we head north on the MMWT for 1.5km (there are some great viewpoints along this section) to the point where it meets the Long Hill Track which, at this point, is a 4WD track. Here we turn left (southwest) and the track descends slowly at first then more steeply before suddenly ending after a further 4 km. From this point, we continue west following a rough pad along the ridgeline, narrow in places, for the next 2 km to the Rock Shelter. We are now 11 km from the start. It is worth exploring both the north and south sides of the site. If time is not an issue and the group is fit, another 0.5km further on (west) is a great view of some very exposed cliff lines. The return journey initially involves back tracking along the outward leg and includes a very long steep climb. However, we pass the turn up to Mt Tamboritha, where we picked up Long Hill Track, and continue on for a further 1 km to the point where it intersects Dingo Hill Track. This last section also forms a part of McMillan’s Walking Track. At the intersection we turn right (south) and walk the last 2.5 km along Dingo Hill Track back to our starting point. The walk is largely along well-defined paths or a 4WD track. It is a long walk with significant total ascent/descents and is best suited to fit walkers. No special equipment is required; however, Mt Tamboritha is quite exposed and a warm jacket/coat could be worthwhile and hiking/walking poles may help for the long descent and climb.

Getting There

From Licola Village cross the bridge heading south and immediately turn left onto the Tamboritha Road. Follow the road for 37 km to Tamboritha Saddle. There is plenty of parking here and this is the starting point for our walk.

Walk Precautions

Additional Information

Licola
No
Southern Alps
2021

GPX File: