The Hotham to Dinner Plain Trail is a multi-purpose trail meanders through Snow Gum woodland and open snow plains, making it a very pleasant walk or cycle. Starting at either the Hotham General Store or Dinner Plain Village the trail is never far from the Great Alpine Road through the Alpine National Park.
Linking Dinner Plain to Hotham resort, the trail features panoramic views of the High Country. There are numerous areas to rest and picnic along the way. Starting from Dinner Plain Hut, follow Fitzy's Cirque west to the trail head at the boundary of the Alpine National Park. Return by the same route.
A side walk - 2km return - to Paw Paw Plain is a must for the fine views of the remote Dargo River Valley and Mount Tabletop.
The trail provides an 1.8km easy walk to JB Hut, a cattlemen's post with remnants of yards built in the 19th century for catching wild horses. JB Plain was named after Jim Brown, who in the 1850s, brought cattle into the alpine region with partner, Jack Wells.
The present JB Hut was a forestry hut from the Swifts Creek forestry region and most likely came from a bush sawmill. It was moved to JB Plain in a joint effort between Cobungra Station and the Bairnsdale Scout Group in the 1970s. It was used as an outstation by Cobungra Station during mustering season well into the 1980s.
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Total distance: 11188 m
Max elevation: 1716 m
Min elevation: 1584 m
Total climbing: 236 m
Total descent: -368 m
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Option 1. Take the Hume Hwy to Wangaratta then the Great Alpine Road direct to Hotham, or the Snow Road via Milawa & Oxley to Myrtleford, Bright, Harrietville & Hotham. Travel time around 4.25 hours with a distance of 380km..
Option 2. Take the Monash Freeway (which turns into the Princes Hwy) to Bairnsdale, then Omeo, then the Great Alpine Road to Hotham past the Hotham Airport and Dinner Plain. Travel time around 5.5 hours with a distance of 460km.
Check out the Winter Access Guide for straightforward advice on driving in the snow, resort entry processes, parking and more.
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
The Alpine National Park is a vast national park encompassing 646,000 hectares in the Central Highlands and Alpine regions of Victoria, Australia. Situated northeast of Melbourne, it reigns as the largest national park in Victoria, safeguarding a significant portion of the Great Dividing Range's highest elevations. Mount Bogong, Victoria's highest peak at 1,986 meters, stands majestically within the park's boundaries, along with the surrounding subalpine woodlands and grasslands of the Bogong High Plains. The park's northeastern edge aligns with the New South Wales border, where it seamlessly transitions into the Kosciuszko National Park.
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While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Trail changed? New features discovered? Has the route changed? Trail permanently closed? Help fellow hikers by suggesting edits! Click above to update route descriptions, GPX file, trail features (like boardwalks), or access conditions (like parking availability). Help me keep the trails info fresh!
3 Reviews on “Hotham to Dinner Plain Trail Walk (22.5km)”
Lev!!!
Yeah have done walked that ha ha
Phil
Stephen ?
Nick Brown
Mohammed Ali Nalmandi
Steve King
Mel Ann Wilson
Naomi Wright ??
Michelle Krivohlavek
Kirsty Yates
It’s a lovely walk. Especially in the snow. We did it one way, parking our car at Dinner Plain, catching the bus to My Hotham and walking back (overall downhill). Very beautiful.
Gary Singh
Marieke
Peta Claire
On my list??