Silver Mine Walk is a 16.5km, grade 3 hike located in Snowy River National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 5 hours to complete.
Hike overview
The walk can be undertaken as a single 16km loop, or seperated into an overnight trip - with a well established campsite near the river bank. Note that McKillops Road, on the opposite side of the river, overlooks the campsite.
Starting from McKillop Bridge, the Silver Mine walk links fire access and other minor tracks in a varied and interesting route, including a section of the bank of the Snowy River. The path is broad, well graded and carefully benched where it sidles steep hillsides.
The initial walk up the Deddick 4WD track includes a couple of steep sections but is otherwise well graded. As you climb Deddick track you will pass the junction where the Silver Mine Walk exists back onto the 4WD track. The management vehcile only track which you follow from Deddick trail down to river, past several mine sites, is also easy to follow. There is a campsite with fire-pit at the junction of this vehcile track and the river.
The segment of the walk which follows beside the Snowy River is impacted by post-fire re-growth. Parks Victoria advise to walk along the foot of the slope where it meets the flood plain, rather than to follow the water's edge. To this end, new signposts have been erected along the trail. There are also signposts where the walking track deviates away from the river and up an old driving track. This junction could be difficult to find if following the riverbank rather than the marked trail.
From this point the track follows a dry creek bed for approximately one kilometre and there are many fallen trees across the path which will need to be negotiated. Once the track does start to climb out of the creek bed, it passes through several switch backs while traversing over a steep ridge. The track then crosses over another dry creek bed before climbing to an intersection with the Deddick Trail. This dry creek crossing is another location where walkers may have difficulties in finding the path. At this location, the path follows the creek bed for a short distance of no more than 20 metres before branching away again. Walkers should not proceed along the dry creek bed at this point. To do so will result in eventually re-emerging on the bank of the Snowy River at a location some kilometres south of McKillop Bridge. To try to walk back to the bridge from here will be very arduous.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 585 m
Min elevation: 173 m
Total climbing: 773 m
Total descent: -770 m
Tips
- Parks Victoria state the walk should be undertaken by seasoned walkers, however on our overnight trip (Easter 2018) we found the trail to be easily identifiable and well sign-posted.
- Shade is quite limited along the entire trail so sun protection is a must if walking in warm weather.
- It's a long drive from Melbourne. Buchan is a great place to stop, refuel and enjoy a break before the drive into the national park. Along McKillops Road you will drive past a few short walks, including Little River Falls and Little River Gorge. Little River Gorge has a great viewing platform.
- There is a large car camping area with river access, picnic tables and fire-pits just before you reach the bridge. There is a single composting toilet at this site.
- There are many great spots for swimming at the car campsite as well as the day visitor area just across the bridge (which is where the walk starts). There is also a composting toilet at the day visitor area.
Contributed by Mick Woods
Trail location
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
Getting there
From Melbourne take the Princes Highway to Bairnsdale, then the (B500) Great Alpine Road to Bruthen. From Bruthen, follow the (C620) Bruthen-Nowa Nowa Road until the intersection with (C608) Bruthen-Buchan Road. Turn left at this intersection and head to Buchan. Buchan is the last opportunity to obtain fuel. From Buchan follow the C608, now called Gelantipy Road to the intersection with McKillops Road (C611). This intersection is also well-signposted.
Shortly after entering Snowy River National Park you will see signs for Little River Falls (a short 400m walk). From about here the road is predominately gravel, with some sealed sections. The last 11km before reaching McKillops bridge is a single lane gravel road that winds down to the river valley. Some parts of this section run along a steep cliff-face with limited passing opportunities - reversing may be required if faced with an oncoming vehicle. The road is in good condition and completely 2WD accessible, though a AWD or 4WD would be better during wet weather conditions.
Gallery
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.
Similar trails nearby
Explore Safe
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.
Let someone know
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.
Gear to consider
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
Suggest an edit
Does this hikes information need updating? Sometimes the route, trail features or access conditions change.
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.
3 Reviews on “Silver Mine Walk (16.5km)”
Mara Lazar
Patrya Cook ?
Kai Osborne been there ????
Phoebe Apsc next time we’re out at snowy river we should do this one!
Cheryl Atkinson …”????
Michelle Wyard ??
Catherine Reid Reid
Trina Picko
Am in mate
Yes yes yes!!
Simon Izzard
Greay
Yvette Lejins
Den Kennett Megan Sweeney Anthony Smith
Steve Falla another one for you.
Nevada Marschke
Angey Douglas
Rocky Young let’s go for a walk!
Maurs Rixon
Ja Cee – practice one
Nik Cardwell
Kat Livingstone?
Al