The trail is divided over three legs as follows:
Day 1: Falls Creek to Cope Hut, 14km
Day 2: Cope Hut to Dibbins Hut, 14km
Day 3: Dibbins Hut to Mt Hotham, 9km
Day 1 highlights include lookouts at Heathy Spur, historic Wallace Hut and Cope Hut - and swathes of pink, gold and white wildflowers in spring and summer. On Day 2, there are stunning panoramas from Pole 333 and unforgettable views of Mount Feathertop, Victoria's second-highest mountain. Day 3 highlights include abandoned Quintet Mine, charming Derricks Hut - and of course a well-deserved coffee and cake at Mt Hotham!
How to get there
Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing
Falls to Hotham is a point-to-point walk, so you’ll need transport to the start and a way to get home at the end. The drive between trailheads takes approximately two-and-a-half hours.
Using two vehicles in a car shuffle is a popular option. Drive in convoy to the end of the walk, drop off one vehicle, then return to the start of the walk in the other vehicle. Vehicles can be left at the Heathy Spur or Mt Loch car parks at either end.
Alternatively, you could use the shuttle bus. Falls Creek will provide a bus service for hikers during the peak summer period. Contact the resort for details and to make a booking. Phone (03) 5758 1202. Website fallscreek.com.au
If you’re staying at Falls Creek, Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain before your walk, some accommodation providers can offer transport or assist with a car shuffle.
When you're there
The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is accessible for hiking from November to April. The track can be walked in either direction but is best when starting from Falls Creek and walking towards Mt Hotham.
There are two campsites on the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing:
Cope Hut Camping Area, among the Snow Gums on the Bogong High Plains, is 14km from the trailhead and usually the first night's campsite.
Dibbins Hut, on a snow plain near the headwaters of the Cobungra River, is 9km from Mount Hotham.
Each campsite has five sites on tent platforms. There are four 3m x 3.7m platforms and one larger platform that is 4.5m x 3m. The platforms are designed to fit a 2-3 person hiking tent.
The tent platforms are designed for you to pitch your tent directly on the platform. Each platform has eyelets around the edge to hook tent peg loops or guy ropes over. As well as these there are movable pegs that slot into the mesh, allowing tents of all shapes to be set up.
Bookings are required to so be sure to check availability and make a booking prior to your trip.
Need to know
Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing
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.
How we keep it special
The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing immerses visitors in the alpine environment, with its gnarled snow gums and fields of alpine daisies, surrounded by high country scenery, passing by heritage huts and walking to the summits of some of Victoria’s most spectacular peaks. The Master Plan for the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing outlines the proposed development of a five-day, four-night hiking experience that traverses the Great Dividing Range, from Falls Creek to Mount Hotham.
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
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.Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer – Ingeegoodbee/Tingaringy areas
Parts of the Park will be closed during these dates while aerial shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken.24-28 October 202228 November-2 December 20223-7 April 2023See attached map for more details.Attachments: Alpine National Park_Ingeegoodbee Tingaringy aerial shooting information (449KB)
Planned Aerial shooting operations targeting deer - Dinner Plain Dargo High Plains area
Parts of the Park will be closed during these dates while aerial shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken.14-17 November 202221-24 November 20228-11 May 202329 May-1 June 20235-8 June 2023See attached map for details.Attachments: Dinner Plain_Dargo High Plains Aerial shooting information (517KB)
Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer - Feathertop
Parts of the Park will be closed during these dates while aerial shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken.14-18 November 202221-25 November 20228-12 May 202329 May-2 June 20235-9 June 2023See attached map for details.Attachments: Feathertop Aerial Shooting Information (603KB)
Mt Pinnibar Track - deteriorated condition
Mt Pinnibar Track between Walkers Road and Tom Groggin Track has deteriorated significantly following recent storm and flood events.Visitors are advised to consider alternate routes until repairs can be carried out.Bogong High Plains Road is closed due to landslip
Bogong High Plains Road is closed due to landslip - there is no access to Falls Creek Village and Bogong High Plains trailheads. This should be considered if you planning to walk from other areas of the park and your walk finishes in Falls Creek or the trailheads nearby. There is no access to the Bogong High Plains from Mt. Beauty. The landslide is situated above Bogong Village and is moving slowly due to unprecedented rain. It is estimated that this road will be closed until at least February. Guests with reservations for the horse yards across the High Plains can still access the High Plains via Omeo Highway.Track closures due to flood impact
The following tracks are closed due to impact by storms and flood. Crews will assess and reopen when safe:The following tracks are closed due to impact by storms and flood. Crews will assess and reopen when safe:- Cobberas Track
- Ingeegoodbee Track
- Little Cobbler Track
- McFarlines
Flat Track
- Cobberas Track
-
Davies Plain Hut & Camping Area (Alpine National Park)
Temporary closure of damaged section - Davies Plain Track, Alpine National Park
A 2.3km section of Davies Plain Track, near Davies Plain Hut Camping Area within the Alpine National Park, is currently closed to all vehicles because of significant water damage and severe erosion, following recent flood and storm events in the area.As a result of the temporary closure, Davies Plain Track is not currently a thoroughfare for vehicles between Tom Groggin and Charlie Creek Camping Area.There is currently no vehicle access to Davies Plain Hut or the adjoining camping area, pending further assessments and subsequent repairs. Nearest camping areas accessible to suitable 4WD vehicles on Davies Plain Track are Charlie Creek Camping Area to the south; and Buckwong Creek Camping Area to the north (near Tom Groggin).Attachments: Section closed to vehicles_Davies Plain Track (251KB)
-
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Ground shooting operations targeting deer
Ground shooting operations targeting deer will be undertaken in this Park from December 2022 to June 2023. The park will remain open for visitors during ground shooting operations.For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.Ground shooting operations targeting deer
Ground shooting operations targeting deer will be undertaken in these Parks from December 2022 to June 2023.Some access restrictions may apply. Please observe local signage.Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Dinner Plain, Dargo High Plains, Foothills and Southern Alps)Buchan Caves ReserveBurrowa-Pine MountainCape Conran Coastal ParkCabbage Tree Creek Flora ReserveErrinundra National ParkHowitt-Wellington PlainsLake Tyers State ParkMount Baw Baw National ParkMount Buffalo National ParkMount Mittamatite Regional ParkMount Mitta Mitta Flora ReserveMount Lawson State ParkMount Granya State ParkMountain Creek Education AreaPheasant Creek Flora ReserveWabba Wilderness ParkWilsons Promontory National Park -
Cobbler Lake Camping Area (Alpine National Park)
Lake Cobbler Road Maintenance Grading
Cobbler Lake Road is currently undergoing road grading maintenance works to repair weather event damage and to improve drive-ability. Works are expected to be fully completed before the end of the week.Delays can be expected but otherwise the road is open.