Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

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    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    Alpine National Park

    The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is a 37km three-day hike through the Alpine National Park from Falls Creek to Mt Hotham. Enjoy spectacular views of mountain ridges from 2000m above sea level, walk through beautiful Snow Gum woodland and camp near two historic huts.
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    Winding its way along alpine ridges through snow gum woodlands and snow grass plains, over rocky summits and past historic huts, this memorable hike rewards walkers with a spectacular view at every step. By night, see thousands of twinkling stars against some of the darkest skies in the world far from light pollution.

    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

    From Falls Creek the trail starts from the Heathy Spur carpark, on the eastern side of the Rocky Valley dam wall in the Alpine National Park. Heathy Spur carpark is 3km from the Falls Creek Information Centre via road, or walk from the Falls Creek village bowl via the aqueduct track. The trail finishes at the Mt Loch carpark at Mt Hotham.

    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.
    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    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.

    When to go

    Summer is a great time to walk the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing. Wildflowers are in bloom and the temperature at 2000m is a welcome relief from the warmer climate at lower altitudes.

    Camping

    One of Victoria's icon walks, the 37km Falls-Hotham Alpine Crossing is a 3 day / 2 night walk through the Alpine National Park, linking the resort villages of Falls Creek and Mt Hotham. 
    Winding its way along alpine ridges through snow gum woodlands and snow grass plains, over rocky summits and past historic huts, this 3 day hike offers an achievable and rewarding hiking challenge with spectacular views every step of the way.

    Book your camp sites here

    Check availability

    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

      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 - 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)

      Track Closure

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

      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.

    • Bon Accord Spur Walk (Alpine National Park)

      Road Closure - Lower access road to Bon Accord Walking Track

      The lower access road to Bon Accord Walking Track will be closed for works on the 19th-20th May 2022. The upper access road will still be open, and can be used to access Bon Accord Walking Track on these dates.

      Road Closure - Lower access road to Bon Accord Walking Track

      The lower access road to Bon Accord Walking Track will be closed for works on the 19th-20th May 2022. The upper access road will still be open, and can be used to access Bon Accord Walking Track on these dates.

      Road Closure - Lower access road to Bon Accord Walking Track

      The lower access road to Bon Accord Walking Track will be closed for works on the 19th-20th May 2022. The upper access road will still be open, and can be used to access Bon Accord Walking Track on these dates.

      Road Closure - Lower access road to Bon Accord Walking Track

      The lower access road to Bon Accord Walking Track will be closed for works on the 19th-20th May 2022. The upper access road will still be open, and can be used to access Bon Accord Walking Track on these dates.

    • 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. 

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