Lake Tali Karng and the Sentinels (44km)

Lake Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains. The lake is believed to have been formed about 1500 years ago when a massive rock slide collapsed into the valley damming the waters of Nigothoruk Creek above Wellington River. The water runs underground from the lake to emerge as the infant Wellington River 150m below in the Valley of Destruction.

The views and landscape of Tali Karng and its surrounds are so magnificent it is easy to appreciate its special cultural significance. With a depth of up to 50 metres and fed by the Snowden and Nigothoruk Creeks and by the melted snow that runs off the Wellington Plains, the water in the lake is very cold.

Day 1 (18km): The easiest route to Nyimba Camp (9km) then Lake Tali Karng begins at McFarlane Saddle Carpark on the Moroka Road, 60 km from Licola. The walk follows the well defined Wellington Plains Walking Track across Wellington Plains for approximately 6km to Moroka Gap.  Here you can drop your packs if time permits and take a short 4km return walk to the summit of Mount Wellington.

After returning to Moroka Gap, continue along the Wellington Plains Walking Track as it slowly descends south-west towards Nyimba Camp. Make camp at Nyimba Camp near the southern end of the Wellington Plains Walking Track. Nyimba Camp has toilets and fireplaces.

As this will be your campsite for the night, I recommend setting up camp then taking a few extra water bottles/bladders for the 8km return hike to Lake Tali Karng to stock up on water the next few days. If you don't plan on heading down to the lake, you can find water in Nigothoruk Creek which you'll find in a gully 800m west of Nyimba Camp, along Millers Hut Track. The water tank at the toilet also may also have water if you prefer to drink water that has been collected off the roof of a toilet block.

To access Lake Tali Karng, follow Millers Hut Track west from Nyimba Camp, turning south onto Gillios Track after approximately 500m. The track then descends rather steeply towards Lake Tali Karng. Tali Karng is the only natural lake within the Victorian Alps. Held behind a rock barrier created thousands of years ago, the underground stream it feeds emerges at the infant Wellington River 150m below in the Valley of Destruction.

After visiting the lake, locate Echo Point Track on the eastern shore of the lake. The start of the track is barely visible so keep an eye out for markers tied to trees. Alternatively, you can return to Nyimba Camp via Gillios Track which is the route you will have descended. This route is shorter but a lot steeper than Echo Point Track.

Day 2 (16km): This day is an overnight pack-free day that takes you to a nearby Wellington Plateau to explore The Sentinels and Gable End. Heading south east from Nyimba Camp, descend into the gully then commence the gradual climb along Millers Hut Track to the junction of Mount Wellington Track. From here you will continue a gradual ascent for approximately 3km to the junction of The Sentinels Walking Track and Razorback Walking Track. You can choose either of these tracks as you will be returning to the same point.

Following the Razorback Walking Track across the plateau for approximately 1.7km will take you to Gable End for stunning views over the Alpine national Park. The easiest ay to access views from the Gable End region is to walk through the bush near the trig point. Gable End proper is accessible to the south east of the trig point but it requires a lot of way finding and bush bashing as the track is non-existent, despite if showing on some maps.

After taking in the amazing views, retrace your steps to and take the Sentinels Walking Track out to the rocky outcrops aptly knows as The Sentinels. If you have a head for heights and don't mind a bit of bush bashing and rock scrambling you can scramble to the top of the Sentinels at 1500 metres. The effort will be rewarded with spectacular views over the range to the north, including Lake Tali Karng. The track is really overgrown and difficult to find so if you can't locate the track, the views are equally as good from a rocky outcrop west of the Sentinel group.

After enjoying the Wellington Plateau, head back the way you came to Nyimba Camp to make the end of day 2.

Day 3 (10km): From Nyimba Camp, head north west along Millers Hut Track (the same direction taken to the lake). After 400m turn right (north) onto Spion Kopje Walking Track. There are no sign posts at this point other than a couple of old markers and an orange arrow nailed to one tree. Follow this track as it ascends over 150m to the 1600m high summit of Spion Kopje. There is no obvious track from this point until you rejoin the McFarlane Saddle Walking Track. So for the next 9km, expect to be wayfinding and bush bashing to follow the route. If you are not comfortable with this, it is best to return to the trailhead via the McFarlane Saddle Walking Track.

Continue following this route as it heads north east off the summit of Spion Kopje before turning west to Picture Point. From here, the track turns north east as it follows a broad ridgeline with multiple peaks to eventually rejoin the McFarlane Saddle Walking Track. Turning left at the junction, it is only around 1.5km back to the trailhead.