The Australian Alps Walking Track traverses rugged remote alpine country in Victoria, NSW and the ACT. Bushwalkers must always be experienced, self reliant and have good navigational skills. It is important that you plan, prepare and equip yourself well for a walk on the Alps Track.
Note, the Poverty Point bridge near Walhalla has been closed for some time so you will need to cross to the opposite side of the river at Thompson Bridge.
The 655km Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) is a long distance walking trail through the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Starting at Walhalla, Victoria and running through to Tharwa near Canberra, the AAWT weaves mainly though Australian national parks, such as Alpine National Park and Kosciuszko National Park, though it is not exclusively restricted to national parks.
The AAWT ascends many peaks including Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Bogong, and Bimberi Peak, the highest points in NSW, Victoria, and the ACT respectively. The AAWT crosses exposed high plains including the Victorian Bogong High Plains and the Main Range in NSW.
To walk the entire trail can take between 5 to 8 weeks. Food drops or a support crew are necessary, as the trail passes through no towns, although it passes close to the ski resorts of Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, Mount Baw Baw, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass and Perisher.
The AAWT has been signposted for part of its length in a tri-state agreement. However, most parts of the track require hikers to have highly developed navigation skills, particularly in wilderness areas.
The Australian Alps Walking Track is an extension of the older Victorian Alpine Walking Track, established during the 1970s. The Victorian track was extended after many years of promotion by the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs and various government departments. The NSW stretch of the walk is less imaginative than the Victorian section. Where the Victorian section typically follows spurs and ridges, the NSW section typically follows fire trails/tracks. The route recommended by John Siseman adds some interest to the NSW section of the walk.
Between Walhalla and Tharwa the AAWT passes through the following National Parks
Baw Baw National Park
Alpine National Park (including Cobberas Wilderness Area), up to the New South Wales border.
Kosciuszko National Park (including Jagungal Wilderness Area), immediately north of the border.
Namadgi National Park, adjoining Kosciuszko National Park.
Brindabella National Park
Additional resources
Australian Alps Walking Track guide
The map guides
The following maps should only be used as a guide and are not designed for navigation in the field.Â
Map downloads
1 - Walhalla - Thomson Valley Rd 40km (PDF)
2 - Thomson Valley - Mount Shillinglaw 50km (PDF)
3 - Mount Shillinglaw - Mount Mc Donald 37km (PDF)
4 - Mount McDonald - Barry Saddle 46km (PDF)
5 - Barry Saddle - Mount Hotham 46km (PDF)
6 - Mount Hotham - Maddisons Hut Site 47km (PDF)
7 - Maddisons Hut Site - Mitta Mitta River 42km (PDF)
8 - Mitta Mitta River - Buenba Hut Site 34km (PDF)
9 - Buenba Hut Site - Cowombat Flat 46km (PDF)
10 - Cowombat Flat - Dead Horse Gap 40km (PDF)
11 - Dead Horse Gap - Guthega 39km (PDF)
12 - Guthega - McKeahnies Creek 52km (PDF)
13 - McKeahnies Creek - Kiandra 30km (PDF)
14 - Kiandra - Murrumbidgee River 23km (PDF)
15 - Murrumbidgee River - Murrays Gap 38km (PDF)
16 - Murrays Gap - Namadgi Visitor Centre 40km (PDF)
To plan your trip along the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) view the detailed track notes at www.theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org/experience/aawt/
Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the
AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.
If you are commencing your walk at Walhalla you will probably find the section after the Thomson Valley Road to be quite tough. There are many steep descents and climbs in and out of river valleys. The forests along this section can be very thick making travel slow. Beware of leeches and mosquitoes during wet weather in this section.
- Alpine Region
- Rivers
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Alpine Huts
- Exposed Ledges
- Rock Scrambling
- Steep Terrain
- River Crossings
- Untreated Water
- Overnight Campsites
Clean copy
Total distance: 689941 m
Max elevation: 2175 m
Min elevation: 250 m
Total climbing: 30779 m
Total descent: -30518 m
Login to Download GPXGPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
File with waypoints
Key: H: Hut, W: Water, C: Campsite
Total distance: 689941 m
Max elevation: 2175 m
Min elevation: 250 m
Total climbing: 30779 m
Total descent: -30518 m
Login to Download GPXGPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Australian Alps.
Starting at Walhalla (Victoria): Walhalla is located 180km east of central Melbourne via CityLink and the Princes Fwy (M1) exit at Moe then via Erica and Rawson. Allow 2 hours & 30 minutes. Alternative route via Lilydale and Noojee.
Starting at the Namadgi National Park Visitors Centre (NSW): The Namadgi National Park is located at the northern end of the Australian Alps, 45 minutes’ drive from Canberra city. From Tharwa, continue south and turn left to the Namadgi National Park Visitors Centre. It is 2.5km south of Tharwa Bridge.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
- 2WD Access
- Bitumen Road
- Winding Road
- Large Car Park
- Public Toilets
- Drinking Water
- Picnic Shelter
- Picnic Table
Baw Baw National Park
Spectacular year round, Baw Baw National Park covers a substantial part of the Baw Baw Plateau. As the snow melts see the hills come alive with vivid wildflower displays. Explore the wonderland of geological formations and walk or snowshoe one of the many trails that criss-cross through tangled snowgum forests.
Alpine National Park
Head out on the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing and hike over towering alpine ridgelines, through lush river valleys and unforgettable alpine scenery. Discover the history and heritage of the High Country as you tour through rugged bushland and unforgettable mountain scenery along the Wonnangatta Four-wheel Drive.
Kosciuszko National Park
Kosciuszko National Park is home to Australia’s highest peak, but that’s not all: Kosciuszko National Park offers travellers a whole world of spectacular to explore. Four ski resorts are the centre of human activity here: ski or snowboard the country’s highest runs or test your legs on a cross-country skiing odyssey. Take on big-challenge walks, saddle up and ride the High Plains, explore caves, or just find a people-free lookout and simply breathe in the beauty and tranquillity.
Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park protects 106,095 hectares of alpine, sub-alpine and mountain bushland and makes up almost half of the ACT. The park protects high altitude sphagnum bogs which provide critical habitat for endangered species, and act as giant sponges slowly releasing pristine water into the ACT's water supply.
Brindabella National Park
Just a short drive from Canberra, Brindabella National Park offers a remote alpine bush experience, a great day trip or weekend escape for the whole family. With an extensive network of challenging 4WD trails, the park is an excellent location for registered 4WD touring and trail bikes and even has some mountain bike riding opportunities. Your journey will take you through unique mountainous terrain covered with red stringybark and scribbly gums, and across ridgelines with scenic views of the entire Brindabella range.
Looking for more walks in or near Australian Alps? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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2 Reviews on “Australian Alps Walking Track - AAWT (655km)”
I have only walked sections of the AAWT rather than the full length, but even those parts give a strong sense of how special this track is. Remote alpine country, long days, and a real need for good planning and bush skills come with the territory. From what I have experienced, it absolutely deserves its reputation as one of Australia’s great long distance walks.
Have just completed the mid section from Mt Hotham to Thredbo. Just great satisfaction and elation. Will be back to do the Walhalla-Hotham section in November and final section Thredbo to Thawa in March/April 2018. Can you tell me if there is a badge, either cloth or metal – which can celebrate the track. I would like one for my collection of completed tracks. Details of contact, price, etc. would be appreciated. Many thanks. Sue Curtis.
hey im thinking about doing this in winter. thoughts?
Hi Ben. Great question. The following waypoints are identified by letters:
H: Hut
W: Water
C: Campsite
Do let me know if I missed any.
Hi,
in the GPX file is there a key for what each letter means? For example I think the checkpoints you have the letter H is for Hut, W is for water etc…
It is a tough hike over that distance in any weather. Winter certainly would not be recommended for the entire length but shorter sections would be enjoyable if you have the necessary experience.
No problem Susan. I sent you an email and will try to get this one on mys site soon
Well done, that’s an awesome effort. There is no badge or certificate available to my knowledge. Your best bet would be to contact Parks Victoria and see if they have any such program.
Would like info on Walhalla to Britannia Creek Circuit Walk please
Does anyone know of any issue with this GPX?
I imported it into my garmin connect and it only uploaded from Walhalla to O’Sheas Mill.
Cheers
Adriaan