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Explore stunning hiking trails of The Cobberas Range

Discover the diverse trails of The Cobberas Range, Victoria, offering hikes and walks for all skill levels and interests. Find your perfect adventure today.

Grade 5

Exploring the Cobberas Range: Rugged and Remote

The Cobberas Range, situated in the Alpine National Park in Northern Victoria, features some of the most impressive peaks in the Victorian Alps. The highest point, Mount Cobberas No. 1, rises to 1,810 metres above sea level. This mountain range is located in the East Alps Unit of the park, within Victoria’s remote East Gippsland region, close to the Snowy River National Park. As it is near the NSW border, it is best suited for weekend trips rather than day visits. For those planning a visit, accommodation options are available in the nearby towns of Omeo or Gelantipy, which serve as convenient bases for exploring the area.

The Cobberas Range is renowned for its diverse natural features, including majestic peaks, rare flora and fauna, and stunning landscapes. Highlights include Alpine Ash forests, sub-alpine herbfields, snowgum woodlands, and snowgrass plains, all interspersed with pristine rivers and streams. Historic huts and diverse ecosystems add to the area’s appeal.

Among the prominent peaks in the Cobberas Range are Mount Cobberas No. 1, Mount Cobberas No. 2, Moscow Peak, Middle Peak, and Cleft Peak. These mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range and are located within the Cobberas Wilderness area of the Alpine National Park.

Indigenous Australians have long inhabited Victoria’s high country, with European exploration beginning in 1832 when Austrian naturalist John Lhotsky explored the region and reported on its vast plains. The first cattle station in Australia was established at Benambra, and gold was discovered in Livingstone Creek in 1851, leading to the establishment of a frontier town known for its rugged character. Today, the area is renowned for sheep and cattle grazing, as well as for attracting visitors to its mountains. The Australian Alps Walking Track, developed in the 1970s, passes near the Cobberas Range, offering hikers a scenic route from Buenba Hut to Cowombat Flat.

The peaks south of the NSW border feed alpine creeks that contribute to the Murray River’s source. These remote, rocky mountains, including Mt Cobberas No.1, Mt Cobberas No.2, Cleft Peak, and Moscow Peak, are often described as Victoria’s last truly wild big mountains. They offer challenging hikes, initially following vehicle tracks before transitioning to rough footpaths and eventually requiring navigation with a compass. A notable two-day hike focuses on Mt Cobberas No.1, where hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and the highest summits in both states, with minimal signs of human activity. The area’s rugged beauty, dense forests, and extensive boulder fields make it a rewarding destination for those seeking adventure.

The upper sections of the mountains are characterised by twisted snowgums and alpine wildflowers. The forested slopes are home to elusive native animals, and visitors might encounter brumbies, with their presence marked by large piles of dung along the trails. The peaks are snow-covered during winter months (June to September), so hiking is best undertaken in the warmer months, though summer can be quite hot.

The closest town to the trailhead is Omeo, which offers basic accommodation options. For camping, there is a national parks campground at Native Dog Flat, situated close to the trailhead.

Want to find the best trails in the Cobberas Range for an adventurous hike, casual walk, or a family trip? Trail Hiking Australia has the best trails for walking, hiking, running, and more.

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