Hike at a glance

29,547

Quick overview: Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Australian Alps on the 655km Australian Alps Walking Track, beginning in Walhalla, Victoria and ending in Tharwa near Canberra. As one of Australia's most challenging hikes, it's a Grade 5 trail that takes you over the highest peaks in Victoria, New South Wales, and ACT, including Mount Kosciuszko and Bimberi Peak. This one-way track traverses high plains, national parks, and requires strategic planning for food and supplies as it doesn't pass through any towns. Highly developed navigation skills are essential, as clear signposting is limited. This hike is an adventure that rewards with spectacular alpine scenery and a sense of accomplishment.

Hike length

655km

Average duration

5-8 weeks

Trail Difficulty

Grade 5 (Difficult)

Hike Type

One Way

Technical details

Max elevation: 2175m
Min elevation: 250m
Total Ascent: 30779m

Start: Walhalla

End: Tharwa

Location: Australian Alps

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Walhalla

State capital distance: 184km

Latitude: -37.94278452232095

Longitude: 146.45055145025256

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Nearby hikes

Weather

Trail details

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.

Hike summary

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.

Additional Information:

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.

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/

Track difficulty

Grade 5 (difficult) badge

Grade 5 (Difficult)

Remote, unmarked, and high consequence
These are the most challenging walks and are only suited to highly experienced and well-prepared hikers.

Expect very rough, steep, and often unmarked terrain, with limited or no signage. Navigation skills are essential, and you must be self-reliant, including emergency preparedness. Distances may exceed 20km, and conditions can quickly become serious if things go wrong.

Safety note: There is little margin for error. Mistakes in navigation, weather judgement, or preparation can have serious consequences.

Planning essentials

Practical Information:

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.

Trail Features:

Alpine Region
Rivers
Scenic Viewpoints
Alpine Huts
Exposed Ledges
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
River Crossings
Untreated Water
Overnight Campsites

Map and GPX file

Australian Alps Walking Track - AAWT (655km)

Clean copy

Total distance: 689941 m
Max elevation: 2175 m
Min elevation: 250 m
Total climbing: 30779 m
Total descent: -30518 m

GPX 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

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Interactive Safety Scenarios. Then refer to the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Let someone know

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.

Free checklists

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 there

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 →

Get there with Google Maps

Access Conditions:

2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Winding Road
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Find Accommodation

Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Bright, Mount Beauty, Myrtleford, Tallangatta, Wangaratta

Discover more

About the region

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.

Explore nearby hikes

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Australian Alps

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

2 Reviews on “Australian Alps Walking Track - AAWT (655km)”

Overall rating

Darren Edwards Trail Author

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.

08/01/2026, 11:21

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Susan Curtis

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.

24/03/2022, 05:17

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1. Houston Bodenhamer
  
  hey im thinking about doing this in winter. thoughts?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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2. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  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.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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3. Ben Vereb
  
  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…
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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4. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  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.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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5. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  No problem Susan. I sent you an email and will try to get this one on mys site soon
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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6. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  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.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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7. Susan McDonald
  
  Would like info on Walhalla to Britannia Creek Circuit Walk please
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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Adriaan Homburg

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

11/05/2021, 14:09

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Acknowledgement of Country

Australian alps walking track - aawt (655km) trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

March 14, 2026

Australian Alps Walking Track - AAWT (655km)

Hike at a glance

Technical details

Trail details

Hike summary

Between Walhalla and Tharwa the AAWT passes through the following National Parks

Additional resources

Map downloads

Track difficulty

Grade 5 (Difficult)

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Clean copy

File with waypoints

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

Discover more

About the region

Baw Baw National Park

Alpine National Park

Kosciuszko National Park

Namadgi National Park

Brindabella National Park

Explore nearby hikes

Walhalla to Thomson Station – Poverty Point Hike (12.5km)

Aberfeldy Thompson Loop Hike (50km)

Great Walhalla Alpine Trail Walk (42km)

Walhalla to Britannia Creek Circuit Hike (17km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

2 Reviews on “Australian Alps Walking Track - AAWT (655km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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