It describes The bush bash out felt a lot harder then going in. New South Wales. Acceptance by other government departments followed and grants It is 655 km long, . View History. You will need a good quality 3-season tent, the Mont Moondance is a great option because of its balance of weight and durability. private transport is needed (hire a car for three to five days) some of which still exist today. the markers are being replaced with more visible yellow There are many sections of the AAWT that have phone service, however you should not rely on this alone. It is important to keep in mind that electronic devices can fail or run out of batteries so a comprehensive knowledge of navigation using a map and compass is essential. were obtained to finance track marking. This will contain your name as well as a unique identification number that stays with you and this will ensure it can be tracked online or via the mobile App, The App will provide updates at each point in the delivery chain from leaving your postal location to arriving at the destination, Australia Post will hold your parcel for 14 days at the designated pick up point so this may require you to have a friend or family member send the box after youve commenced the hike, You have two choices as far as delivery goes. He left Walhalla on December 5, heading towards Baw Baw Plateau. Allow 3 days driving time to pre-place all food drops and 3 days driving after the trip to collect the remains. No fires including camp stoves may be lit on days of Total Fire Ban. There are a couple of water tanks along the trail in areas where there is no flowing water so it is a good idea to check with national parks that they are in working order. Victoria, There are so many other long-distance through-hikes in the world: the PCT, CDT, and the AT in the US, the Alta Vie and Haute routes in Europe, the Te Aroa in New Zealand, and even other treks in Australia, like the Heysen in South Australia, and the Australian Alps Walking Track in the east. But this is not to say you wont make changes from hike to hike as your requirements and tastes evolve. If you end up travelling slower, then you may end up going hungry which is fine for a day but any longer will becomes an issue. The track climbs our highest mountains and crosses exposed high plains. its name and alpine scenery and almost all walkers ignored the official track Hotham, Omeo Highway (Sunnyside) or Benamrbra-Corryong Road, Buenba Hut, Thredbo and Kiandra. Boots are a popular choice for hikers on the AAWT because they provide more support in the rougher terrain. Its no surprise, for me and many hikers a good menu is one of the most important aspects to a successful long-distance hike. Baw Baw National Park. Hi, I'm Emma and I'm an artist, athlete and author. Average daily walk for Had a very close call with a tiger snake yesterday. klean kanteen wide insulated 16oz 473ml black 1, gear drink bottles platypus 2l bottle with closure cap, Maps and trail notes needed for the coming section, Treats: can of coke, wine, long life cream. Sambar Deer Stalking #101. Its the first time I had walked up there and it was so beautiful. Day -31 It ends before it begins. I like an air mattress as opposed to a foam mattress for packed size, comfort and warmth. I find small luxuries such as a pair of sleeping socks can be integral to the experience of a long distance hike. overall. Feels a little funny right now that I am actually here and have started. ideal walking maps and leave off many details. Then Rumpff saddle where my first food drop is. One of the spots Annie left a food drop, Kiandra Courthouse. shows locations of all known water sources along the track and the Experience white sandy beaches, Karri forests, rocky beach-side ledges and thundering surf while walking Australia's Cape to Cape route. On the Australian Alps Walking Track you will visit some of Australia's finest alpine national parks. Heres how it works: Download the Australia Post App on our mobile phone. Like caches you are sending a box of food ahead against a future need. the governments of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT recognised It is important that you account for a lower fitness level/slower pace in the early stages of the trail. The catalyst happened in 1968 when Maurice Harkins from the On my way to Mt McDonald then Nobs Track to camp tonight. is also another controversy in There are no official camp The main aim in resupply is to provide you with food when and where you want it and if possible providing a degree of flexibility. On longer walks it may be necessary to make food drops. It was not easy to get to the top of Moscow and the other peaks look so far away. It combined the first long walking track of Victoria and New South Wales. With the food drop-offs currently in motion, all the planning has come to an end and it's time to begin walking. Copyright, View australianalpsnationalparkss profile on Facebook, Pathways through the wilderness VIC and NSW, National Landscapes and National Heritage, Green Book and Gold Book Rehabilitation Guides, Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology, Australian Institute for Applied Alpine Studies, Australian Alps Walking Track Itinerary (PDF 61 KB). I keep my food drops in durable 25L water storage drums. Australian Alps Walking Track Itinerary (PDF - 61 KB ) EN. I would highly recommend using this as a resource in the planning/preparation stages and also while on the trail. I always take a pair of thick, warm socks to sleep in as I get very cold feet. where you can just follow markers - it does require navigation. facilities. I was heading to Fiddlers Green the last time I messaged. I have spent two nights here recharging the batteries so to speak. Plan to re-use existing campsites, and use huts only for emergency protection. Total Ascent: 1317m /4323ft, Descent: 1747m / 5731ft total to Lenk Accommodation: Hotel Krone - We stay in a 3* hotel right in the town centre of Lenk and many rooms have their . into the forests - something they had been doing since the massive times, this I am just heading up victor spur to Mt Victoria then planing to camp Fiddlers Green tonight. Re: Australian Alps Walking Track Fri 31 Jan, 2014 11:49 am Most of the water issues are between Walhalla and Hotham and it really depends on the season as to the severity of the problem. New yellow track markers have replaced the older blue markers to improve visibility and to meet new Australian standards. locations but at others it can take 2 hours plus to collect water. Having the correct equipment is vitally important for overnight or extended trips on the Australian Alps Walking Track. 1:25,000 and they are Davies Plain, Tom Groggin, Chimneys Ridge, Plateau. Australian Alps Walking Track, bushwalking, music, walking, Going well so except for the snak episode. as there is no public transport along the many roads that cross The weather in the Alps can change dramatically at any time of the year. Water can be scarce along some sections of the track, especially in summer and along drier ridges and spurs. onto Canberra. I hiked the AAWT in 2013 and again in 2018. I recycle these large bags and have a number I have been using for over four years. that route. Bushwalking Victoria) responded From there I found some really old snow gums in a meadow that would make a great camp. See the current track conditions and any closures. In my case I package each days food in its own individual numbered ziplock bag and I rotate through a series of meals and snacks to ensure I get nutritional variety and ensure I dont get bored eating the same thing over and over. Some very experienced ultra-fast walkers have attempted the Felt like a hidden little park separate from the rest of the high plans. King Billy 2 and 1, Mt Magdala, Mt Howitt, Cross Cut Saw, camp at Mt Speculation. Bushwalker 4WD transport. Everest!). For a recent Although the term 'alps' is a stretch, the AAWT follows and crosses much of the highest mountains in Australia. The Australian Alps Walking Track is a long-distance walking trail through the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and ACT. See our Lightweight Food For Hiking blog post to get a gauge of how much you will need for each day. The NSW stretch of the walk is less imaginative than the Victorian section. But the best part this time was that it had been cleared of the bush and fallen trees. The track follows wilderness areas and rarely goes anywhere near civilisation. This prevents the drum from being moved by animals, We use long thick cable ties. If you are seeking a lead-up walk to the AAWT, then consider walkng McMillansTrack. The 'official' track often follows roads and theguide provides some pleasant alternatives. Licola Road), Mt are available for most of the track. walkers use a combination of bus then taxi to get to the This App can be used for setting up your mail drops, for tracking, or both, Set up an online account with Australia Post, Generate a postal drop off location which is typically the local post office but can also be a road house in some locations. You may not be appearing on the cat walks of Milan, but you will be warm! For full details of restrictions and permit requirements see theAustralian Alps Walking Track Strategic and Operational Plan 2021 2025, Australian Alps Walking Track guide | The map guides. The most common rest days are to spend one A down jacket has the best weight to warmth ratio so this is my go-to. I dont know how they did it. At all times walkers need to know where they are located in the event of track markers being vandalised (not a problem at the time we walked the track) or being difficult to find. Then it took about an hour to bush bash to get to the second river crossing where there was another log crossing. Express Post is more expensive but on my recent. Located in the Central Highlands and Alpine regions of Victoria, the Australian Alps Walking Track is considered to be one of the most difficult long-distance bushwalking trails. Length: 650km Duration: 49 days Grade: 4 Style: One Way Start: Canberra End: Walhalla Location: Namadgi National Park Closest town: Tharwa Australian Capital Territory carry and be able to use a compass and a topographical map, have bushcraft and outdoor first aid skills, have the ability to handle and recognise survival situations, particularly the causes of hyperthermia and how to treat it, and. The Australian Alps Walking Track winds through the high country of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. Cottter Gap in one day - in reverse we walked from The main needs for campsites CMA 1:25,000 - Cabramurra, Denison, Ravine, Tantangara, When I pack a food drop, variety and practicality are at the forefront of my mind. On longer walks it may be necessary to make food drops. . My mate Dave from Pukha drove me back the hill and drop me off at the Razer Back where I continue my journey, but this time I left the guide book behind and plotted my own way to Mt Bogong starting with the Razorback and spending my first night at Federation Hut which was like walking into a music festival with the amount of people and tents. High Plains, the Cobberras then the Kosciuszko National Park and The Australian Alps Walking Track is a long-distance walking trail through the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and ACT. There are some lightweight 2-layer options, but given the length of the trail and the varying weather conditions a more durable 3-layer rain coat is best, the Outdoor Research Optimizer is a fantastic option for a lightweight three-layer jacket. For Easter 2021, the Adventure Gang returned to the Victorian High Country for some Alpine hiking. And writing new songs and maybe an album as he goes. It is primarily a wilderness never be interested in dodging Woke up with the tent semi caved in this morning at Whitelaw Hut Site. I get very excited when I get to a food drop. The most effective way to manage food is by leaving food drops. I rely of freeze-dried and dehydrated food on the whole. It had been 10 days since I had seen anyone. Set amongst heritage-listed highlands and the Gondwana Rainforests, the trail itself is a mix of 4WD track, packed earth and. And walking in the hills. these series miss gives an adequate map set. I am not going to go into that here right now. November- early December water availability is likely to be quite high but do some checking just before you put in your drops. For those of you who arent familiar with the term caching its the practice of storing food and/or water along the trail against a future need. It was an awesome day. There are many incredible long distance walking tracks crossing the mountains of the world. Over the next 14 years, forestry kept building many new roads Caches tend to be used when you won't be able to drop through a town on your trip e.g. it a very scenic varied walk. There's a strong argument that the Australian Alps Walking Track should be as well known as Spain's El Camino de Santiago, America's Appalachian Trail, New Zealand's Milford Track or Tasmania's Overland Track, to name just a few of the world's most famous hikes. 2023 Bogong Equipment Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia. . The Australian Alps Walking Track is an extension of the older Victorian Alpine Walking Track, established during the 1970s. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. (You can check out how hard in my film on YouTube). Australian Alps Walking Track - 222 kms - Hard - Border . in Western Australia or the Great Turned into a bit of a survival mission. Click below to: Follow us on Facebook. And remember to collect the containers after the walk. track came from a former Victorian who was inspired by The Alpine Walking maps are also needed as the track is not always clearly marked Annie Trumble. State Development Committee in 1952. The official guide suggests 5 to 8 weeks to cover the distance but not many walkers do it in one trip. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. So I went back up to take a photo, but it decided to slip back into the bush. The pack is looking really light. The Australian Alps Walking Track is a long-distance walking trail through the . While the track has been walked in 20 to 24 days several Firewood supplies are limited especially in the alpine and subalpine areas so only light a fire if absolutely necessary for warmth and cooking. is also available which shows the track location and is useful when driving the roads to placefood drops but it cannot The track is a hiking traverse from Walhalla in Gippsland to just outside Canberra, 650 kilometres of mountainous and remote terrain. Privacy About us Food is a key aspect of planning for long distance hikes. Where one hiker will opt for a sturdy boot, something like the Asolo TPS 520 or 535, another hiker will use a lightweight boot such as the La Sportiva Pyramid or even a trail runner such as the Salomon XA Pro 3D. Australian Alps Walking Track Click to Preview The 670km Australian Alps Walking Track is undoubtedly the toughest long distance walk in Australia! I also tend to stick to the sides as you get more grip. Planning for your walk on the Australian Alps Walking Track is a matter of following common sense guidelines. It was not fun. The weather through these months can vary in temperature from below freezing to over 40 degrees Celsius. with over 27,000 metres of climbing and descending it is indeed Planing a big one today. It was a 12 day hike covering 250 km, the middle section of the Australian Alps Walking Track. Yep, a map and compass or GPS will be necessary here! I stayed and made camp on the other side of the swamp and the girls continued to Buckwong Creek. Odyssey offers a range of tours into France and has a collection of Articles to learn more about this leading European country. I had found the oasis of the Bogong High Plains. 35 days - I solo walked the AAWT in February 2002, however, I started from Warburton and used the Upper Yarra Trail to link into the AAWT. of rivers which have to waded or crossed by rough log bridges. in Australia - part of the Yarra Track which crossed the Baw Baws - The advantage of this is that regardless of the day you turn up, the food is there and you dont have to wait until business hours to pick it up. First calculate how long it will take you to get from one point of road access to the next. I spent new years at Bogong Creek Saddle then headed for Maddisons hut site. Camp at the bottom of King Billy 2 last night and the morning looks amazing. Fire and Climate. One thing I have never done was try and find Tin Mine Falls. It traverses rugged remote alpine country and bushwalkers must always be experienced, self reliant and have good navigation skills. There are many access points to the track. 18.9km, 790m ascent and descent, 7.5 hours walking per day. The sulphurous waters here attract people from all over. The Acropolis (left) and Geryon from the Overland Track, The Acropolis and Mt Geryon from Castle Crag, TAS, superb country. Copyright, View australianalpsnationalparkss profile on Facebook, Pathways through the wilderness VIC and NSW, National Landscapes and National Heritage, Green Book and Gold Book Rehabilitation Guides, Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology, Australian Institute for Applied Alpine Studies, Australian Alps Walking Track Strategic and Operational Plan 2021 2025. capital city. walk If, for any reason, my food drop is unobtainable then I will have to hike out to a road and hitchhike to the nearest town where I can resupply. I have done this part before so I know what I am in for. Mountains (there are now three water tanks) and around Mt McDonald (its a long walk to water). For some areas, there are also some special maps produced by The official length is 650 km but most follow the route The Australian Alps Walking Track is a long distance walking trail through the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and ACT. track the route to extend all the way through to Canberra. Not only is it important to meet dietary requirements that will adequately provide enough energy for the next day, eating well can also be a source of great comfort and pleasure. You can help to protect these huts by following the Alps hut code below: For more information about visiting the huts see the Huts Code. The southern end suggest some well hidden food drops in big plastic barrels..mark your details on them to further deter anybody from pinching things that you are relying on . Menu; Africa. For interested walkers the following is one example of an itinerary from an overland walk on the Alps Track: Australian Alps Walking Track Itinerary (PDF - 61 KB) | (DOCX - 110 KB) Please note that the walkers did attempt to complete some very long days. Hiking the AAWT - Australian Alps Walking Track - May 2022 escapeaidan 426 subscribers 84 Dislike 2,194 views Jun 18, 2022 A 25 day hike through 660km of Australian High country. It started with a very long log crossing where the river turned 90 degrees with the water flowing high and fast underneath. John Chapman, John Siseman and Monica Chapman have put together a comprehensive guide book for the AAWT. Taped securely to the container I have a laminated sheet with my name, contact information and trip intentions. While the individual packs vary in weight, theyaverage around 632 grams of food per day, including all meals and snacks. During spring, he did a test run, hiking from Hotham to Thredbo (starting in Harrietville). While some will find the new edition will reduce the need to carry any The disadvantage is that you will be spending time and money driving your vehicle to drop off your food boxes. Australian Alps Walking Track - Day 15 - 17 This morning I wake up a new man. Disclaimer Search titles only . other existing pads and tracks to form the first recognised walking Leave trip details (return date and time, planned route, group member names, and vehicle details) with a responsible person or the police. The fastest known trip I know of so existing tracks thus reducing costs. Its a great MTB ride from Dead Horse Gap. If you plan on doing this, check with them first and let them know what you are doing. Not what I have been used to so far. water points. who want to share and expand skill sets with each other whilst walking and enjoying the Australian Alps Walking . day - definitely not a flat walk! Accessibility However, these alpine sections are brief and most of the track follows forestry fire trails that weren't designed with hikers in mind. I have run out food but have a food drop at Sunnyside. better than the It is important to note that lightweight down jackets are not as durable as many of the synthetic options. Enter your email address to receive Alps news by email. Some camping restrictions and Accessibility It is 655km long, starting at Walhalla, Victoria and running through to Tharwa, ACT near Canberra. The most logistically challenging aspect of the AAWT is above all food and the most common questions I field are about food. If you are mailing food it is important to make sure you are collecting the package on a day the post office is open. in the guide book which It traverses rugged remote alpine country and bushwalkers must always be experienced, self reliant and have good navigation skills. Make sure that everyone in your group has clothing which protects them from heat and cold. Most hikers will use a combination of drink bottles and water reservoirs. It also crosses a lot of Australia's Use an oil based undercoat and paint using a top coat that will blend in with the surrounding bush. The southern end is at Walhalla, a small town in Victoria Food drops required. It starts (or finishes) in Walhalla, a quaint ex-goldmining town, about 50kms from Moe in Victoria and finishes (or starts) at the Tharwa Visitor Centre, about 35kms south of the Canberra City Centre. You can send the parcel by normal mail or by Express Post. The full hiking trail is 429 miles (690km), has over 27,000 metres (88,582ft) of ascents and descents, and can take anywhere between 5-8 weeks to complete. There is a physical limit to how much you can carry in your pack from a both a weight and a bulk perspective which will vary from individual to individual. The fifth day I got up a little flat, feeling lonely, thinking everyone had passed me and I was on my own once again. OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license. The track weaves mainly through Australian national parks, such as Alp camp in the Cotter River Valley in the Namadgi National Park in In late summer water can be The next day I made it to Cowombat Flat Track where my next food drop was and the start of the forth section. The Victorian track was extended after many years of promotion by the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs and various government departments. Camping and fire permits are required for sections of Namadgi National Park. An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers. personal account of his journey along some of the AAWT then it is suggested to areas were being tamed and bushwalkers soon began to realise there The Australian Alps Walking Track is accessible out side the snow season by 2WD at a number of locations. No rain tomorrow but overcast. Although Australia is famous for its road trips, multi-day treks are often the best way to experience these vast lands, offering visitors a chance to connect with the terrain by walking it. You empty cache container can also be used to drop off rubbish and/or unwanted food . The disadvantage with this option is that you are making an assessment about your food requirements and how fast you are going to be traveling. The guide book for the track is 'Australian The track was designed by bushwalkers for bushwalkers and does He was a very interesting fellow and every year he comes with his brother and a chainsaw and rides trails and clears them from the fallen trees. The original marked route followed major roads for The Mont Helium 600 is a great option. A father and son who left 10 days after me. Not to worry, it gives me a chance to read up on the next section across the Barry Mountains which I am really looking forward to.