Australian Alps Walking Track (655km), Australian Alps, Victoria

Australian Alps Walking Track is a 655km, grade 5 hike located in the Australian Alps, Victoria. The hike should take around 5-8 weeks to complete.

Length: 655km

Duration: 5-8 weeks

Grade: 5

Style: One Way

Start: Walhalla

End: Tharwa

Location: Australian Alps

Closest town: Walhalla

Victoria

From state capital: 184km

Longitude: 146.4504797

Latitude: -37.94277739

Hike summary

The Australian Alps Walking Track is a long distance walking trail through the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and ACT. It is 655 km long, starting at Walhalla, Victoria and running through to Tharwa, ACT near Canberra. The track weaves mainly though Australian national parks, such as Alpine National Park and Kosciuszko National Park, though it is not exclusively restricted to national parks. It ascends many peaks including Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Bogong, and Bimberi Peak, the highest points in N.S.W., Victoria, and the A.C.T. respectively. The AAWT crosses exposed high plains including the Victorian Bogong High Plains and the Main Range in NSW. To walk the whole 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.

It 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 it passes through these 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

External Resources

These maps are a guide only, and are not designed to be used for navigation or in the field. Do not use these maps for walking.

Maps

1 - Walhalla - Thomson Valley Rd 40km (PDF - 723 KB)

2 - Thomson Valley - Mount Shillinglaw 50km (PDF - 698 KB)

3 - Mount Shillinglaw - Mount Mc Donald 37km (PDF - 809 KB)

4 - Mount McDonald - Barry Saddle 46km (PDF - 593 KB)

5 - Barry Saddle - Mount Hotham 46km (PDF - 819 KB)

6 - Mount Hotham - Maddisons Hut Site 47km (PDF - 838 KB)

7 - Maddisons Hut Site - Mitta Mitta River 42km (PDF - 890 KB)

8 - Mitta Mitta River - Buenba Hut Site 34km (PDF - 695 KB)

9 - Buenba Hut Site - Cowombat Flat 46km (PDF - 627 KB)

10 - Cowombat Flat - Dead Horse Gap 40km (PDF - 745 KB)

11 - Dead Horse Gap - Guthega 39km (PDF - 701 KB)

12 - Guthega - McKeahnies Creek 52km (PDF - 719 KB)

13 - McKeahnies Creek - Kiandra 30km (PDF - 3.91 MB)

14 - Kiandra - Murrumbidgee River 23km (PDF - 727 KB)

15 - Murrumbidgee River - Murrays Gap 38km (PDF - 752 KB)

16 - Murrays Gap - Namadgi Visitor Centre 40km (PDF - 418 KB)

To plan your trip view the detailed track notes. www.theaustralianalps.wordpress.com

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 30532 m
Max elevation: 2176 m
Min elevation: 239 m
Total climbing: 31437 m
Total descent: -31177 m

Download file: AAWT.gpx

Gear you might need

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Location

Access Conditions

Camping Area

Getting there

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Weather

About the region

The Alpine National Park is a national park located 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.

Gallery

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Acknowledgement of Country

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.

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0 Reviews on “Australian Alps Walking Track (655km)”

Overall rating

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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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
  
2. Darren Edwards Post 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
  
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
  
4. Darren Edwards Post 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
  
5. Darren Edwards Post 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
  
6. Darren Edwards Post 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
  
7. Susan McDonald
  
  Would like info on Walhalla to Britannia Creek Circuit Walk please
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17