Feathertop and Highplains Circuit (47km)

Mount Feathertop

Feathertop is the second highest mountain in Victoria and one of the most picturesque peaks in the state. It rises to 1,922 metres (6,306 ft) and is usually covered in snow from June to September. It is linked to the nearby Mount Hotham ski resort by The Razorback, a high narrow ridge, but otherwise surrounded by steep slopes which continue right to the summit. Unlike most nearby mountains, Mount Feathertop has steep slopes right to the top and does not have the rounded summit dome that is typical of many nearby peaks. Mount Feathertop is probably the most appealing peak in the high country. It provides terrific hiking in summer and in winter it is a great venue for mountaineering and extreme skiing. But be careful, as it averages a death per decade. Most deaths are in winter and most come from not treating cornices with the respect they deserve.

Victorian High Country Huts

Huts of all shapes and sizes were built in the Victorian high country from the mid 1800s by cattle musterers, fishermen, miners, loggers, forest rangers and more recently ski and bushwalking groups. Most early ones were built using materials at hand, and with basic tools. Many have long gone, but huts are still scattered all over the alpine and high country area of Victoria.

The Feathertop and Highplains circuit hike explores the following huts. It is important to note that huts are for temporary, emergency shelter only not for accommodation. Enjoy visiting the huts, but do not use them for overnight accommodation as their cultural values can easily be destroyed. In Victoria some huts are not available for public use. Find out more about the Victorian High Country Huts Code of Conduct.

Federation Hut
A true alpine camping experience and the perfect base for ascending Mt Feathertop. The Federation Hut camping area has sites dispersed amongst the Snow Gums and can be accessed from Harrietville via the Bungalow Spur and The Razorback ridge from Mt Hotham. Link the Bon Accord Spur and Razorback and Bungalow Spurs for a multi-day alpine walking experience. The hut provides campers and day visitors with shelter and refuge in emergencies only. Always carry a tent to ensure your safety. A toilet is provided and there is a small water tank at the hut with untreated water. Fires are only permitted in the hut within the fireplace provided and otherwise it is a fuel stove only area.

Blairs Hut
Blairs Hut. Located approximately 14.4km from the trail-head, the hut is a log cabin measuring 6m by 3.8m with a gable iron roof, replacing an original bark one in 1968. The internal stone lined fireplace is unusual. The area around Blairs Hut is a good place to set up camp for the night.

Westons Hut
Westons hut was set in a small clearing surrounded by snow gums with introduced grasses as ground cover. Stockyards built of log and wire were near the hut. Trevor Larner prepared plans for Parks Victoria to repair the hut in 1998, to be carried out in April 1999 by Trevor and volunteers. In 1992 the four corner posts and the verandah rafters were replaced, along with other repairs. The hut was burnt down again in the fires of 2006-7. The new hut was built on the footings of the original hut, to the same dimensions.
The rebuilding project was coordinated by Parks Victoria in conjunction with Victorian High Country Huts Association, and with support from the Victorian Mobile Landcare Group. A team of volunteers from Wangaratta, Bright, and Melbourne, supervised by Andrew Cross (of Parks Victoria) and Wangaratta builder Lachie Gales, completed the reconstruction over a period of 18 months.

Youngs Hut
Young’s Hut is a rustic former SEC survey hut that our club maintains in conjunction with Parks Victoria.

Dibbins Hut
Dibbins Hut is located on a snow plain near the headwaters of the Cobungra River. A beautiful small creek at this point along the Australian Alps Walking Track and the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) and a great sheltered stopover. The area is also popular with horse riders and permits are required from 1st December - 30th April. The original Dibbins Hut, built in 1920, was beyond repair, a new hut was built on the same site in 1987 using similar log construction and design. Similar log construction and design was used for the 'new' hut. Standing on a snow plain beside the Cobungra River it makes a pleasant destination for a day walk or an overnight hike. (There is a pit toilet there).

Derricks Hut
Charlie Derrick was a cross country skier who died in a blizzard while attempting to ski from Mt Bogong to Mount Hotham. Derrick Hut was built as a day shelter for cross country skiers and is not for overnight accommodation.

Water

Mount Feathertop: Water can be collected from a natural spring, approximately 850m from Memorial Cross, along the North West Spur track.

Kiewa River West Branch: Pure, clear, sparkling, very cold, alpine water, easily accessible from Red Robin Battery through to the foot of the Diamantina Spur.

Ensure you treat all water before drinking