Posted on

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing – Project Update

On 22nd November 2024 Parks Victoria released its latest community update on the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing project (FHAC). The update followed the first meeting in 11 months of the FHAC Strategic Advisory Committee on 6th November 2023, on which Bushwalking Victoria has two representatives.

Financial, environmental and cultural heritage assessments have provided new information that have resulted in changes to what is being delivered. The significant changes to the project announced in the community update include:

  • The walk will now be a four day – three night experience (previous plans were for five days and four nights). Overnight campsites are proposed at Cope Hut, Westons Hut and High Knob, with Cope Hut and Westons Hut being available for emergency use only, as they are now. Environmental and heritage assessments did not support the proposed new site near Tawonga Huts.
  • Track works to improve existing trails and install boardwalk sections to protect sensitive vegetation e.g. in the vicinity of Pole 333.
  • New tent platforms and new helicopter serviceable toilets (where not currently existing) at overnight campsites.
  • At High Knob, the addition of tent platforms, an emergency shelter and helicopter serviceable toilets to be located near the existing area frequented by bushwalkers over many years. The provision of these additional services will hopefully reduce pressure on Federation Hut and surrounds which is frequently experiencing unsustainable visitor numbers, especially on long weekends.
  • Due to financial constraints, overnight accommodation huts will not be constructed at this time, but they do remain in the master plan.

PV anticipates that the project will be completed in late 2025. The timing will depend on yet to be completed environmental and cultural heritage assessments, project costings and budgetary considerations.

For further information, visit the FHAC project page on the PV website.

Chris Towers and Eileen Clark
Bushwalking Victoria Representatives
FHAC Strategic Advisory Committee
chris.towers@bushwalkingvictoria.org.au