Bayside Bushwalking Club returned to Mount Howitt for its annual four-day walk, after a two-year break. Sometimes we don’t make it because of bushfires, road closures or the occasional bout of horizontal hail!
On day one, Paul, Louise, Margaret, Rosie and I walked the 5 km into the Macalister Springs campsite and set up camp for the next three nights. At around 3 am, a spectacular lightning and thunderstorm swept through, bringing a short but intense downpour. Fortunately, everyone stayed warm and dry, and the weather remained kind for the rest of the trip.
Mist, Mountains and Memories
On the final day of 2025, we headed North along the Cross Cut Saw towards Mount Buggery. Low cloud lingered all day, limiting the mountain views to occasional fleeting glimpses, but this added to the atmosphere. A highlight was spotting a rare grey currawong.
Back in camp, we caught up with a lovely family whom Paul and Louise had met 5 years earlier, when the boys, Martin and Owen, were just 3 and 5 years old. Owen delighted us by making cute little grass wreaths and left them around the Vallejo Gantner hut and trees for us to discover.
New Year’s Eve on the Track
That evening, we celebrated NYE with Hannah, who was walking the Australian Alpine Walking Track (AAWT) solo from Canberra to Walhalla – an impressive 35-day journey! She appreciated the company on New Year’s Eve and we were later pleased to see that she successfully completed the entire walk. Well done, Hannah! We attempted to celebrate New Zealand New Year’s Eve at 9 pm, but I think we were all in bed by about 8.30.
Starting 2026 on the Right Foot
We welcomed 2026 by heading up Mount Howitt, continuing the tradition of a celebratory drink at the summit and starting the year ‘on the right foot’. Clear skies rewarded us with magnificent views across to Mount Buller, Mount Speculation, The Viking, Mount Beauty and beyond.
As planned, we then headed south towards Mount Magdala. After a couple of hours walking, we opted for an early lunch with a leisurely stroll back to camp.
A Fitting Finish
On our final night, we shared the last of our New Year’s Eve treats we had carried in and spent an enjoyable evening of conversation before another early night. Day four was an easy 5 km walk back to the Mount Howitt car park – thankfully no flat battery this year- with lighter packs and lighter minds for having camped out for 4 days while enjoying the natural beauty of the Australian bush.
It was a magical trip, with magnificent alpine views, a mysterious day wrapped in mist, with the early alpine wildflowers brightening the landscape. Here’s hoping we’ll see you there next year.
Report by Jeff McDonell