Mt Burrowa is a 24km, grade 4 Return hike located in Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park Victoria. The hike should take approximately 9-10hrs to complete.

Summary

The hike to Mt Burrowa is long and strenuous and the track may be poorly defined in places. It is recommended that this be undertaken as an overnight hike. The hike departs from Hinces Creek campsite and initially follows a 4WD track to Hinces Clearing. The walking track then rises steadily beside Hinces Creek, a delightful ferny and secluded haven for a variety of bird life. A small seasonal waterfall is located on a tributary along the way.

The Hinces Creek walking track heads south-west from the campsite along an old vehicle track then closely follows the creek. The walking conditions are good and the banks of the creek are picturesque, fern-laden and full of bird life.

This track takes you to Hinces Saddle, from where  you can north on another track to Mt Burrowa or south to Black Mountain. The route to Mt Burrowa is marked with orange arrows on the trees but the tracks are ill-defined and the trail is steep and rough. No water is available along the route so it is necessary to take your own and ensure adequate daylight is available. Snow and strong winds can be encountered in winter so be sure to take warm clothes and a waterproof jacket. The walk takes in many changes in altitude, aspect and vegetation, including peppermint and gum forest, blue gums in the moist gullies, alpine ash on the sheltered southern slopes and snow gum on the ridges.

The track continues on to the summit of Mt Burrowa (1300m) with a number of very steep climbs and descents. It features a variety of vegetation types as altitude and aspect change. Return via the same route. If camping overnight, Hinces Saddle, a broad, open area, is a logical campsite.

Camping

Basic visitor facilities are located at Bluff Creek, near the main entrance to the park, and also at Blue Gum Camp, Hinces Creek and Pine Mountain. If camping overnight, Hinces Saddle, a broad, open area, is a logical campsite.

Getting there

The park is located approximately 120 km east of Albury-Wodonga and 25 km northwest of Corryong. It lies between the Murray Valley Highway and the Murray River. Access to many popular visitor areas is from the all-weather Cudgewa Bluff Road, which passes through the park and is a pleasant scenic drive. The turnoff to the Hinces Creek camping area runs off the Cudgewa North-Walwa Rd, about 3 or 4 km north-west of the turnoff into Falls Rd.

To reach Hinces Creek, follow Cudgewa North Rd past the Bluff Creek turn-off and veer into Hinces Creek Track. Up at the northern end of the national park is the monolithic Pine Mountain and its wondrous botany, which includes several types of grevillea and the phantom wattle. You can hike to the summit via a very strenuous 6 km walking track. From Cudgewa township, travel east along Cudgewa Valley Rd. Turn left onto Cudgewa North Rd. Continue along this road and turn left into Bluff Falls Rd and proceed to the Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park.

About the region

The Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park is a national park in the Hume region of Victoria, Australia. The 18400ha national park is situated approximately northeast of Melbourne and east of Albury-Wodonga. The park stretches between Walwa Creek in the north-west and Cudgewa Creek in the southeast , both tributaries of the Murray River. There you will find Pine Mountain, one of the largest monoliths in the southern hemisphere, which is 1.5 times the size of Uluru. Another peak is Mount Burrowye.

Tips

• The park has limited permanent water sources – carry adequate drinking water when walking.
• Walking conditions can be rough and rocky areas slippery when wet – wear sturdy footwear.
• Cliffs and rocky bluffs occur within the park – be alert near the edge and look out for falling rocks.
• Remote walking tracks may be poorly defined – carry an adequate map and compass or GPS.
• Longer walking tracks require a good level of fitness and experience

Overnight hikes

A combination of walking and 4WD tracks may be used to form extended hikes. Popular overnight hikes, which may all be walked in reverse, include:

• Bluff Falls to The Ridge – via Black Mountain and Mt Burrowa (approx. 22 km, 14 hrs)
• Bluff Falls to Hinces Creek – via Black Mountain (approx. 17 km, 10 hrs)
• Hinces Creek to The Ridge – via Mt Burrowa (approx. 19 km, 13 hrs). This route may also be walked as a loop using Cudgewa Bluff Road to return to the start point
• Hinces Saddle, a broad, open area, is a logical campsite for these overnight walks