Upper Howqua Walking Track (Howqua River Heritage River, UNKNOWN, Alpine National Park)

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Upper Howqua Walking Track (Howqua River Heritage River, UNKNOWN, Alpine National Park)

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Upper Howqua Walking Track (Howqua River Heritage River, UNKNOWN, Alpine National Park)

Need to know

Upper Howqua Walking Track (Howqua River Heritage River, UNKNOWN, Alpine National Park)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

No generators
No vehicles
No bicycles
No dogs allowed

Warnings

Terrain hazards
Uneven ground
Other warnings
Unpatrolled area

Trees may fall take care

Limbs may fall take care

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

Moroka River Pedestrian Bridge CLOSED until further notice

The Moroka River pedestrian bridge is closed until further notice due to being assessed as structurally unsound.

Access to Moroka Hut is via the Moroka Range Walking Track (4WD only).

Eastern Alps track closures due to storm and flood damage

The 4x4 tracks in the Eastern Region are an iconic part of Victoria and an important focal point for many people. With a large number of visits per year, they are very popular for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, mountain biking and four-wheel driving.

Unfortunately, sometimes we must close infrastructure in the interests of public safety and environmental protection.

The following tracks have been significantly damaged by storms and floods and are currently closed to motor vehicles to ensure public safety and environmental protection:

Cobberas Track
Macfarlane Flat Track
Ingeegoodbee Track

The tracks are likely to remain closed to motor vehicles until detailed site assessments have been completed. Assessments and repair works are not expected to be completed until late 2024 / early 2025.

Before visiting, Visitors should always check the Parks Victoria website for the latest information about their destination.

Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer – Bogong High Plains, Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains and Feathertop

Parts of the Alpine National Park will be closed during the following dates while aerial shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken.

18-22 November 2024

3-7 February 2025

3-7 March 2025

The following tracks and visitor areas will be closed during the operation:

CLOSED—Mt Feathertop

· MUMC Hut

· Bon Accord Spur

· Northwest Spur

· East Ovens Track

· All other tracks remain open

CLOSED—Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains

· Mt Tabletop Walking Track

· Mayford

· Kings Spur

· Long Spur

· All other tracks remain open

CLOSED—Bogong High Plains

· Moncrieffs Gap Track

· East Kiewa Fire Track

· Cranky Charlie Track

· Roper Spur Track

· Big River Fire Track (off BHP Road)

· Spring Saddle Track

· Arthur Track

· Mt Arthur Fire Trail

· Red Fox Track

· Black Possum Spur Track

· Junction Spur Track

· All other tracks remain open

Visitors are advised to check the Change of conditions listing prior to arrival for up to date information and maps.

For more information about the program please visit this link.

Attachments: Alpine NP aerial ops information sign (2,025KB)

Aerial shooting operations targeting deer (partial Park closures)

The following Parks will have some areas closed while aerial shooting operations are undertaken. Popular visitor sites, walking trails and campgrounds are generally excluded from treatment areas and will remain open to visitors. More information and maps with details on access restrictions be posted here in the coming weeks. Please check the Change of Conditions listing prior to arrival for up to date information.

11-15 Nov 2024

· Alpine National Park (Eastern Alps, Ingeegoodbee, Tingaringy & Tom Groggin)

· Snowy River National Park (north)

18-22 Nov 2024

· Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mt Bogong, Feathertop & Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains)

9-13 Dec

· Snowy River National Park (south)

· Croajingolong National Park

· Cape Conran Coastal Park

3-7 Feb 2025

· Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mt Bogong, Feathertop)

· Mt Buffalo National Park

· Mt Mittamatite Regional Park

· Wabba Wilderness Park

· Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park

10-14 Feb 2024

· Alpine National Park (Eastern Alps, Ingeegoodbee, Tingaringy & Tom Groggin)

· Snowy River National Park (north)

3-7 Mar 2025

· Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mt Bogong, Feathertop & Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains)

For more information on Parks Victoria's deer control program visit this link.

Southern Alps track closures due to storm and flood damage

Areas of the Southern Alps have been significantly damaged by subsequent storms and floods since 2021, in the interests of public safety and environmental protection this means sometimes we must close tracks.

The following tracks are currently closed to motor vehicles to ensure public safety and environmental protection:

Mt Kent Track
Dingo Hill Track will remain closed beyond seasonal closure date of Oct 31^st 2024
Scrubby Hill Track will remain closed beyond seasonal closure date of Oct 31^st 2024

These tracks are likely to remain closed to motor vehicles until repair works can be undertaken.

Before visiting, visitors should always check the Parks Victoria website for the latest information about their destination.

Mt Pinnibar Track Partials Closure

Due to the poor condition of Mount Pinnibar Track two sections of the track are closed. The closure is necessary due condition of the track, with sections of deep ruts and exposed bedrock making both approaches unsafe. The condition of the northern approach (which is badly rutted) is further exacerbated in wet weather and in these times it poses a real risk of significant incident due to the steep gradients. The two closures are between Walkers Road and Mount Pinnibar summit, and between Mount Gibbo Track and Tom Groggin Station. Alternative access to the Mt Pinnibar summit is via Tom Groggin Track, Shady Creek Upper Track and Mount Gibbo Track.

Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer – Eastern Alps, Ingeegoodbee, Tingaringy, Tom Groggin

Parts of the Alpine National Park will be closed while aerial shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken (See attached map for details).

The closures will apply during the following dates:

11-15 November 2024

10-14 February 2025

Visitors are advised to check the Change of conditions listing prior to arrival for up to date information and maps.

For more information about the program please visit this link.

Attachments: Alpine NP East Alps_Tom Groggin aerial shooting info (1,387KB)

Accessing the Wonnangatta from Mansfield

Wonnangatta via – Bluff Trk, Howitt High Plains, Licola, Dargo, Wonnangatta Track
Option 1.1 – Legend Colour: Black
Option 1.2 – Legend Colour: Purple

·      Take Bluff Link Road to Bluff Trk.
·      Bluff Track to the King Billy's.
·      OR Take Brocks Road to the King Billy's. (Option 2)
·      King Billy Track to the Howitt High Plains.
·      Howitt Rd to Licola.
·      (Howitt Road changes to Tamboritha Road at intersection with Moroka Road).
·      From Licola take Licola Road, Traralgon-Maffra Road,
·      Stratford -Maffra Road to the Princes Highway. (Passing through Heyfield, Maffra and Stratford).
·      Princes Highway to Fernbank-Glendale Road.
·      Fernbank-Glendale Road to Bairnsdale-Dargo Road.
·      Bairnsdale-Dargo Road to Dargo Road.
·      Dargo Road to Wonnangatta Road.

Wonnangatta via – Circuit Rd, Speculation Rd, Lake Cobbler, Abbeyard
Option 2 – Legend Colour: Blue

·      Take Bluff Link Road to the Howqua River crossing
·      Bindaree Road to Circuit Road
·      Circuit Road to Speculation Road
·      Speculation Road over the ‘Staircase’ to Cobbler Lake Track
·      Cobbler Lake Track past Lake Cobbler to Abbeyard-Lake Cobbler Track
·      Abbeyard-Lake Cobbler Track to Abbeyards Road
·      Abbeyards Road to Buffalo River Road
·      Buffalo River Road to intersection of West Buffalo Track

· West Buffalo Track to Harry Shepherds Track

· Harry Shepherds Track to Van Dammes Track

· Van Dammes Track to Wonnangatta Track.

Attachments: Wonnangatta Routes - Zeka Track Closure (Land Slide) (724KB)

Restricted Access at Eastern end of Spring Saddle Track

The eastern end of Spring Saddle Track has restricted access due to machinery continuing to clear soil as part of the Bogong Village landslip remediation works. The track is open to pedestrian traffic but not vehicles and no Park visitors will be able to enter the works site at the Eastern end of Spring Saddle Track. There is signage explaining the restrictions at the Spring Saddle Track Fainter Fire Trail intersections.

Ground shooting operations targeting deer

Control operations (ground shooting) targeting deer are undertaken in this area. The Park will remain open to visitors during operations.

For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.

King Billy Track - Low clearance

A section of King Billy Track has low clearance due to a large tree over the track. The tree is approx. 4km from the top of Howitt Road/King Billy Track intersection.

Vehicles over 2.4m will be unable to proceed under the tree.

Tamboritha Road - bridge bypasses

Work is currently underway to replace the two bridges on lower Tamboritha Road. As such, bypasses for both bridges have been established. Vehicles of various class that could pass over the bridges, are still able to utilise and negotiate the bypasses.

Please comply with road safety signage when driving through the construction area.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of December 2024.

Billy Goat Bluff Track - Track Maintenance Works

Parks Victoria and DEECA wish to advise track maintenance work is occurring on Billy Goat Bluff Track. Traffic management will be in place and delays should be expected.

Please obey all Traffic Management signs and directions from staff whilst traveling on Billy Goat Bluff Track.
Allow more time for your journey and always drive to the conditions.