Hike at a glance

8,234

Quick overview: Explore the raw beauty of Victoria's Alpine National Park with the challenging 13.3km First Falls and Moroka Gorge hike. Starting and ending at Horseyard Flat, near the quaint town of Licola (319km from Melbourne), this Grade 4 trail will take you through serene Snowgum woodland, across wetlands and along the captivating Moroka River. The highlight is the majestic First Falls, best viewed from a rock platform. This hike requires good fitness levels, experience in undefined routes, and appropriate gear for remote walking. Be prepared for steep slopes and, weather permitting, some rock hopping near the waterfalls.

Hike length

13.3km

Average duration

6 hrs

Trail Difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Hike Type

Return

Technical details

Max elevation: 1034m
Min elevation: 785m
Total Ascent: 172m

Start: Horseyard Flat

End: Horseyard Flat

Location: Alpine National Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Licola

State capital distance: 319km

Latitude: -37.48307519

Longitude: 146.9815459

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Nearby hikes

Weather

Trail details

Hike summary

The First Falls and Moroka Gorge hike commences at Horseyard Flat. The track crosses a footbridge over the Moroka River before meandering through Snowgum woodland and crossing wetlands on boardwalks. Then it follows the river downstream for 3km to the First Falls. A rock platform provides an ideal viewing point to enjoy the rushing Moroka River plunging into a deep pool. Retrace your steps to Horseyard Flat.

Beyond First Falls there is no track and the route is unmarked. The slopes are steep, with cliffs, logs and regrowth making it very difficult. Descending to the gorge is possible for self-reliant walkers who are experienced in undefined routes. Good levels of fitness are required for steep descents/ascents and ensure you are well equipped for remote walking. Progress to reach the main gorge at Lumican Gully is slow but full of interest. (12km, allow 8-10 hours return).

There is no formal track beyond this point but following the river downstream brings you to three spectacular waterfalls and the narrow gorge proper (dry weather only). This involves some rock hopping and should not be attempted when the river is high.

Track difficulty

Grade 4 (hard) badge

Grade 4 (Hard)

Steep, rough, and demanding
These are challenging walks suited to experienced hikers. Expect sustained climbs, rough and uneven terrain, and longer distances.

Tracks may be less defined, and signage can be limited, so navigation awareness is important. These walks require good fitness, confidence on difficult terrain, and the ability to manage fatigue over time.

Safety note: Fatigue, poor navigation, or a sudden weather change can turn a hard walk into a serious situation.

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

First Falls & Moroka Gorge Hike (13.3km)

Total distance: 6663 m
Max elevation: 1034 m
Min elevation: 785 m
Total climbing: 172 m
Total descent: -390 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

Alpine National Park

Horseyard Flat is on the banks of the Moroka River, 30 km east of Arbuckle Junction down Moroka Rd.

Drive to Licola and at the road junction near the bridge take the Tamboritha Road (don't cross the bridge). You will drive past bush camp sites before the road will turn into a dirt road. 48km from Licola you will reach the Arbuckle Junction, turn east and follow Moroka Rd for another 30km to Horseyard Flat on the banks of the Moroka River.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

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: Benalla, Bright, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Harrietville, Hotham Heights, Mansfield, Mitta Mitta, Mount Beauty, Mount Hotham, Myrtleford, Omeo, Porepunkah, Tawonga South, Wangaratta

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About the region

The Alpine National Park is a national park in the Central Highlands and Alpine regions of Victoria, Australia. The 646,000-hectare national park is located northeast of Melbourne. It is the largest National Park in Victoria, and covers much of the higher areas of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, including Victoria's highest point, Mount Bogong at 1,986 metres and the associated subalpine woodland and grassland of the Bogong High Plains. The park's north-eastern boundary is along the border with New South Wales, where it abuts the Kosciuszko National Park.

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Weather on the trail

Alpine National Park

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

11 Reviews on “First Falls & Moroka Gorge Hike (13.3km)”

Overall rating

Jason Pink

How long is it from horse yard to first falls?

03/01/2021, 09:57

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Acknowledgement of Country

First falls & moroka gorge hike (13. 3km) 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:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a glance

Technical details

Trail details

Hike summary

Track difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

Discover more

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Lake Tali Karng: McFarlane Saddle & Wellington Plains Hike (24km)

Tali Karng, Sentinels, Wellington River Circuit (50km)

Lake Tali Karng and the Sentinels (44km)

Lake Tali Karng: Hidden Lake Circuit Hike (31km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

11 Reviews on “First Falls & Moroka Gorge Hike (13.3km)”

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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