Camping with your horse in the Bogong High Plains

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

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Camping with your horse in the Bogong High Plains

Alpine National Park

Howqua Hills Historic Area

Horse yards can be reserved in advance during the season. No fees apply.
Reserve a Horse Yard
The Bogong High Plains in the Alpine National Park protect pristine mountains, offering a unique horse riding experience during the summer season between 1st December and 30th of April, making it a very popular choice for horseriding.

The most popular horse camps are Pretty Valley, Langfords West and Diamantina horse yards. These are ideal locations where riders can yard their horses close to camping areas and explore the High Plains from. These camping areas offer campsites, fire places and basic toilet facilities. Diamantina Yards in the West Kiewa offer low elevation riding and access to the Bogong High Plains via Westons Spur.

Horse camps are also available at Fitzgerald Hut, Kelly Hut, Mc Namara Hut Dinner Plain on Youngs Hut Track, Tawonga Huts, Bogong Jack Saddle Hut, and Camp Valley/Cleve Cole Hut (access only via Long Spur and, NO access to Mt. Bogong summit, no riding past Cleve Cole Hut). These sites don’t include yards (temporary yards permitted).

Parks Victoria has constructed yards at Pretty Valley, Langfords West and in the West Kiewa which can be booked using this page. We recommend bookings even if you have less than 5 horses due to high demand. No portable yards are permitted at this site.

The maximum number of horses which can be booked depend on the size of the yards available and are 20 horses for Pretty Valley yards, 10 horses for Langford West yards and 15 horses for Diamantina Yards in the West Kiewa.

For day rides and at remote sites, where no yards are provided (dispersed camping), the maximum number of horses is 20 (including riders and packhorses).
Permits are required for any horseriding parties larger than 5 horses (day and overnight riding), please call the office to arrange your permit.

Things to do in the area

 
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.
Two women ride horses along a dirt path in the You Yangs Regional Park.

Horse riding

Explore the landscape on horseback to appreciate the solitude and peace of the natural environment. Victoria's parks offer a variety of horse riding experiences.

How to get there

Camping with your horse in the Bogong High Plains

Bogong High Plains
Toilets

When you're there

The most popular horse camps are Pretty Valley, Langfords West and Diamantina horse yards. These are ideal locations where riders can yard their horses close to camping areas and explore the High Plains from. These camping areas offer campsites, fire places and basic toilet facilities. Diamantina Yards in the West Kiewa offer low elevation riding and access to the Bogong High Plains via Westons Spur.

Horse camps are also available at Fitzgerald Hut, Kelly Hut, Mc Namara Hut Dinner Plain on Youngs Hut Track, Tawonga Huts, Bogong Jack Saddle Hut, and Camp Valley/Cleve Cole Hut (access only via Long Spur and, NO access to Mt. Bogong summit, no riding past Cleve Cole Hut). These sites don’t include yards (temporary yards permitted).

Need to know

Camping with your horse in the Bogong High Plains

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 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

    Wabonga and McMillan's Track closures for repairs and maintenance

    Wabonga 4WD track will be closed from the intersection of Paradise Falls Rd to Basin Track intersection, and McMillan's Track will be closed from Burrowes Rd to Wabonga track for the period 25th September to 15th December inclusive.
    The closure is to allow for important track repairs, culvert and bridge installations to support fire fighting access and response.
    If the works are completed prior to the 15th December the track will be re-opened.

    Alternative access to the Wabonga Plateau area can be via Long Spur, Basin Track, Top Crossing, or Burnt Top once the Seasonal Road closures have ended on the 2nd November.

    Mt Murray Track North closure

    Due to track damage and poor track condition resulting in a risk to visitors, environmental damage and further track damage, Mt Murray Track North is currently closed.
     
    Alternate route is Selwyn Creek Road - Mt Murray Logging Road.
     
    In the interest of visitor safety, this road is closed until further notice until track repairs can be undertaken.

    Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer – December 2023

    Parts of the Alpine National Park will be closed during these dates while aerial shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken.
     
    11-15 December (Bogong High Plains & Feathertop)
    18-20 December 2023 (Bogong High Plains, Feathertop & Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains)
     
    The following tracks and visitor areas will be closed during the operation:
     
    FEATHERTOP:
    ·     MUMC Hut
    ·     Bon Accord Spur
    ·     Northwest Spur
    ·     East Ovens Track
     
    BOGONG HIGH PLAINS:
    ·     Moncrieffs Gap Track
    ·     East Kiewa Fire Track
    ·     Cranky Charlie Track
    ·     Roper Spur Track
    ·     Big River Fire Track (off BHP Road)
    ·     Spring Saddle Track
    ·     Arthur Track
    ·     Mt Arthur Fire Trail
    ·     Red Fox Track
    ·     Black Possum Spur Track
    ·     Junction Spur Fire Track
     
    DINNER PLAIN/DARGO HIGH PLAINS & HOTHAM
    ·     Mt Tabletop Walking Track
    ·     Mayford
    ·     Kings Spur
    ·     Longs Spur
     
    See attached map for details.
     
    For more information about the program and park closures, please visit this link.

    Attachments: Alpine National Park aerial shooting information (652KB)

    Mt Pinnibar Track - deteriorated condition

    Mt Pinnibar Track – deteriorated condition

    Mt Pinnibar Track between Walkers Road and Tom Groggin Track has deteriorated significantly following recent flood and storm events.

    Visitors are advised to consider alternate routes to the summit of Mt Pinnibar until repairs can be carried out.

    Bogong High Plains Road

    Following the landslide at Bogong Village the Bogong High Plains Road is now open however remediation work will continue into the foreseeable future to rectify the damage created by the landslide. Parks Victoria advises that all visitors check the Regional Roads Victoria and  Victoria's big build website for the latest traffic updates on closures or delays before visiting.
     https://regionalroads.vic.gov.au/map/north-eastern-improvements/bogong-high-plains-road-landslip 
    https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/mrpv/bogong-high-plains-road-landslip 

    Flood Impacted Track Network - Foothills & Southern Alps

    Areas of the Foothills and Southern Alps were impacted by a significant rainfall event in early October 2023. As a result of this some tracks and river crossings have been impacted. Parks Victoria has commenced repairs in some locations. If visitors encounter impacted areas, please ensure they report this information to Parks Victoria.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Mt Selwyn Road closure

    Mount Selwyn Road is closed between the intersections of Five Ways and Canyo Road between May 2023 till approximately December 2023 due to significant road works being undertaken on this section of road.

    Alternate routes are Dingo Creek Tk - Great Diving Range Tk - Mt Selwyn Rd, Selwyn Creek Rd - Great Driving Range Tk - Mt Selwyn Rd or Selwyn Creek Rd - Tea Tree Range Rd - Mt Selwyn Rd or Walshs Tk - East Buffalo Rd - West Humffray Rd - Selwyn Tk. - Please check seasonal road closures prior to departure as these might affect your vogue.

    In the interest of visitor safety this road is closed between May 2023 till approximately December 2023.

  • McNamara Hut (Buckety Plain) Camping Area (Alpine National Park, Bundara - Cobungra Remote and Natural Area)

    McNamara Hut (Buckety Plain) Camping Area (Bundara-Cobungra Remote and Natural Area, Alpine National Park

    A sink hole has appeared on Trap Yard Gap Track between the Bogong High Plains Road and the locked gate 500 m away from McNamara Hut camping ground in the Bundara Buckety Plain area. Trap Yard Gap Track has been closed to vehicles for their own safety and to maintain the integrity of the road. There is flagging/caution tape across the track where it exists the Bogong High Plains Road to highlight that the track should not be driven on. 

    McNamara Hut (Buckety Plain) Camping Area (Bundara-Cobungra Remote and Natural Area, Alpine National Park

    A sink hole has appeared on Trap Yard Gap Track between the Bogong High Plains Road and the locked gate 500 m away from McNamara Hut camping ground in the Bundara Buckety Plain area. Trap Yard Gap Track has been closed to vehicles for their own safety and to maintain the integrity of the road. There is flagging/caution tape across the track where it exists the Bogong High Plains Road to highlight that the track should not be driven on. 

  • Davies Plain Hut & Camping Area (Alpine National Park)

    Davies Plain Track - 2.3 km track section currently closed due to flood damage

    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 a thoroughfare for vehicles between Tom Groggin and Charlies 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 Charlies Creek Camping Area to the south; and Buckwong Creek Camping Area to the north (near Tom Groggin). 

    Early seasonal closure for Davies Plain Track and Kings Plain Track, Alpine National Park

    Kings Plain Track and Davies Plain Track between Buckwong Creek Camping Area (at Tom Groggin) and Charlies Creek Camping Area are seasonally closed to all vehicles from 1 May to 30 November inclusive. Sections of Davies Plain Track north of Buckwong Creek Camping Area (at Tom Groggin) and south of Charlies Creek Camping Area are seasonally closed to vehicles between the 2nd Thursday in June and the Thursday before Melbourne Cup day.

    Attachments: Davies Plain Track seasonal closure section_1 May - 30 Nov (258KB)

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    Ground shooting operations targeting deer

    Control operations (ground shooting) targeting deer are undertaken in this area.  The Park will remain open to visitors during operations.
     
    For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.

 
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