Mansfield and Whitfield

Mansfield and Whitfield

Mansfield and Whitfield

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    Mansfield and Whitfield

    Alpine National Park

    See Victoria’s tallest waterfall, Dandongadale Falls, plunge 255 metres over a sheer cliff face and disappear into the Ross River below. Visit Paradise Falls, where a fine silver mist spills over a red conglomerate ledge or the quaint Little Falls nestled in a narrow fern-laden gully.
    Climb Mount Howitt where fine views of the Crosscut Saw, Mount Speculation and the Terrible Hollow unfold. The huge escarpments of The Bluff may seem forbidding, but natural breaks allow a fairly easy scramble to the top. Take in the views of wildflower-strewn plains and Lake Eildon and Mount Buller in the distance. The Australian Alps Walking Trail also makes its final journey through the Alpine National Park before meandering east towards Walhalla.

    Although accessible from various points within the Alpine National Park, you can access the iconic Wonnangatta Drive from Mansfield. This 4WD journey takes in the historic mountain huts, finding your way to the Wonnangatta Valley, the mysterious Wonnangatta Station and old goldmining town of Talbotville.

    Things To Do

     
    Three horseriders saddle-up a pack horse before the day's riding.

    Camping with your horse in Alpine National Park and Howqua Hills

    The Alpine National Park and Howqua Hills Historic Area provide a unique and stunning backdrop for multi-day horse rides.
    Two women sit beside the ephemeral Paradise Falls located near the headwaters of the King River in the Alpine National Park.

    Paradise Falls

    Paradise Falls cascade 31 metres and are most spectacular in spring, early summer or after rain. The walk to the viewing platform is a well‐made stepped track perfect for all ability levels.
    A woman hikes to the top of Mt Cobbler with spectacular views of the High Country in the background.

    Mount Cobbler Walk

    Enjoy a beautiful walk to Mount Cobbler and take in amazing views from the top of the mountain. The track is relatively steep and recommended for physically fit walkers.

    How to get there

    Mansfield and Whitfield

    Mansfield and Whitfield

    Facilities

    Carpark

    When you're there

    Siting just behind Lake Eildon, Mansfield and Whitfield provide the perfect introduction to the Alpine National Park. Explore The Bluff, Mount Howitt and the Wabonga Plateau through summer wildflower season or for the experienced skier, ski its remote slopes during winter.

    Many visitors enjoy exploring the historic huts in the area and camping in near by camping areas on the banks of the Howqua or King Rivers.

    The iconic Wonnangatta Four Wheel Drive is easily accessible from Mansfield and opens opportunities to explore the more remote corners of the park. Download the Mansfield and Whitfield Visitor Guide for more information about this part of the park.

    When to go

    The best time to explore the Alpine National Park on foot is between November and April. The mild summer temperatures found in the high altitudes of the Alpine National Park are the perfect retreat from its lower-lying counterparts and make for perfect hiking, horse riding and four-wheel driving conditions. While the occasional sunny day can see daytime temperatures rise above 30°C, the nights are still cool.

    Need to know

    Mansfield and Whitfield

    Accessibility

    Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

    Most access is via 4WD vehicle, some 2WD sites are Paradise Falls, Bennies Camping Area, Lake Cobbler, Upper Howqua Camping Area (dry weather only).

    A large portion of 4WD tracks are closed from the Thursday after the Queens Birthday long weekend in June, and generally reopen on the 1 November. Check with the local Parks Office for up to date information regarding track closures. 

    Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

     

    Alpine back country winter safety

    Safe backcountry travel in Victorian Alpine areas during winter requires training and experience.  You control your risk by choosing how, when and where you travel, and the activities you participate in.

    Change of Conditions

    Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

    • Alpine National Park

      Track closures - Alpine National Park (Eastern Alps)

      The following tracks in the Alpine NP (Omeo Management Area) are currently closed to all vehicles while condition assessments and repairs are being undertaken:
       
      Ingeegoodbee Track
      Cobberas Track
      MacFarlanes Flat Track

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Feathertop area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 7th – Friday 11th March, Monday 28th March – Friday 1st April and Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.

      See attached map for details.

      Attachments: ANP_Feathertop aerial shooting Information (744KB)

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 7th – Thursday 10th March, Monday 4th – Friday 8th April and Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.

      See attached map for details. 

      Attachments: ANP_Dinner Plain Dargo High Plains aerial shooting informat (490KB)

      Partial track closure - Besford Track, Alpine NP

      A severely water damaged section of Besford Track, within the Alpine National Park north of Benambra, is closed to all vehicles. There is no through access for vehicles on Besford Track between the Benambra-Corryong Road and Deep Creek Track.

      Early seasonal road closures 2022

      The following roads in the Alpine National Park are subject to early seasonal road closures.

      From 1 May 2022: Golden Ridge Track (Map 34D), King Spur Track (Map 34D), Long Spur Track (Map 34D), Shepherds Creek Track (Map 34D), and Kelly Lane (Map 34I).

      From 7 May 2022: Davies Plain Track (Maps 34F and 34G), and Kings Plain Track (Map 34F).

      From 16 May 2022: Bluff Track (Map 34A).

      See Map 34A: Alpine National Park (West A), Map 34D: Alpine National Park (Central), Map 34F: Alpine National Park (North East), Map 34G: Alpine National Park (East), and Map 34I: Alpine National Park (South West) for locations of the closures.

      Visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.

      Planned aerial shooting operations - Tom Groggin area

      Parts of this park will be closed from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.
       
      See attached map for details.
       

      Track Closure

      Mount Wellington and Moroka Range Tracks are closed due to four-wheel drive track maintenance works.

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Bogong High Plains and Foothills area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.
       
      See attached map for details.
       

      Attachments: Park closure - Bogong High Plains - May 2022 (644KB)

      Foothills & Southern Alps 4WD Track Maintenance


      Extensive roading maintenance work has commenced across vast areas of the Southern Alps. Works are occurring on various tracks in State Forest and the Alpine National Park north of Licola and will continue while conditions allow. We wish to inform visitors that the four-wheel drive network remains open, but you may encounter delays. Please contact the Heyfield Office for specific local information as machines will be moving throughout the landscape.

      Traffic Delays - Howitt Road

      Traffic delays will occur on Howitt Road near Dimmicks Lookout on the 24th and 25th of May. Excavation works are being undertaken to repair a section of the road. Visitors should consider an alternative route on these dates or expect delays.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Deer Control (ground shooting) operation underway

      Deer control is being undertaken in this park from October 2021 to June 2022. Some localised access restrictions may apply. Find out more about this program. 

    • Frys Flat Camping Area (Howqua Hills Historic Area, Howqua River Heritage River)

      Vehicle access to Frys Flat Horse Yards

      The Howqua Hills Track between Sheepyard Flat South and Frys Flat currently requires 4WD capability and may not be suitable for the use of floats and trailers to transport horses into this area.  It is recommended that visitors inspect the track prior to crossing to ensure that they are comfortable with the condition of the track and have the ability to cross safely. 

      Parks Victoria are currently negotiating various approvals and permits required to undertake the necessary repair and maintenance to restore this section of track. 

      If you still wish to book and camp at Fry’s Flat with your horse, there are alternate methods of accessing the area.  You can:

      • Walk/ride horses in from Howqua Hills track (100-200m)
      • Walk/ride horse in from Martin/Fern or Spring street (across the river)

      Alternative camping areas with vehicle-accessible horse yards available for booking nearby are also found at: 

      • Tunnel Bend, Howqua Hills Historic Area (up to 10 horses, dogs permitted).
      • 7-mile Flat, Alpine National Park (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted)
      • King River Hut, Alpine National Park (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted)
      • Lovicks Hut (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted) 

      For further information, please contact the Mansfield office on 03 5733 1200 and ask to speak to one of the PV Rangers. 

     
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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