Bright, Feathertop and Dinner Plain

Bright, Feathertop and Dinner Plain

Bright, Feathertop and Dinner Plain

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    Bright, Feathertop and Dinner Plain

    Alpine National Park

    From panorama-prone hikes across wildflower draped ridgelines to cross-country ski trails through twisted snowgums and fresh mountain air, Bright, Feathertop and Dinner Plain has it all. Conquer Victoria’s second highest peak, Mount Feathertop, ski the slopes of Mount Hotham or mountain bike between Dinner Plain and Hotham along the Brabralung Trail.
    Mount Feathertop via The Razorback follows an exposed ridgeline, linking the popular Mount Hotham Alpine Resort to the top of Victoria’s second highest peak. Although it falls 64-metres short of Mount Bogong’s record, it is arguably Victoria’s most spectacular peak. Through spring and summer, the slopes and alpine plains are carpeted in a sea of wildflowers. Among masses of alpine daisies, Billy Buttons poke through the vestiges of the remaining snow drifts.

    For a change in scenery, follow the Bungalow Spur Walk from the quaint town of Harrietville and climb over 1300-metres to reach the pinnacle of Mount Feathertop. Sheltered from the harsh alpine conditions, for the most part, take a break at Federation Hut before making the final ascent to the top.

    For shorter, family-friendly walks, set out on the Bungalow Spur Walk to Picture Point or Tobias Gap for views over the Ovens Valley. Or opt for a walk out to Carmichael Falls, where the confluence of the Precipice and Dinner Plain Creeks plunges 25-metres to the headwaters of the Dargo River.

    Stay a night or two in the comfort of Harrietville, Mount Hotham or Dinner Plain, all cool havens through the summer months. The Brabralung Trail running between Dinner Plain Alpine Village and Mount Hotham Alpine Resort too is wonderful. Suited to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter, and ideal for mountain biking, walking and trail running once the snow has melted, the 12-kilometre trail is not to be missed.

    The bike-friendly towns of Dinner Plain and Hotham offer thrilling mountain biking and road cycling experiences - with the benefits of spectacular alpine vistas around every corner. Mountain bike through Snow Gums along The Brabralung Trail, or challenge yourself with the 7-Peaks ascent to the top of Hotham or Dinner Plain. And visit the Dinner Plain Alpine Village to access over 35-kilometres of singletrack mountain bike trails.

    Things To Do

     
    Three friends stop for a quick drink late in the afternoon on their walk from Hotham to Falls Creek.

    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    One of Victoria's icon walks, the 37km Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) is a 3 day/2 night walk through the Alpine National Park, linking the resort villages of Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.
    Two friends walk along the Brabralung Trail near Dinner Plain in the Alpine National Park.

    Brabralung Trail

    Enjoy a pleasant walk or cycle through Snow Gum woodland and open snow plains. Starting at the Hotham General Store and finishing at Dinner Plain Village, the trail is never far from the Great Alpine Road.
    Two people walk along the Razorback towards Mt Feathertop in the Alpine National Park.

    Mount Feathertop

    Stunning Alpine landscape with Victoria's second highest peak, Mt Feathertop towering above Harrietville in the Ovens Valley.

    How to get there

    Bright, Feathertop and Dinner Plain

    Bright, Feathertop and Dinner Plain

    Alpine back country winter safety

    Safe backcountry travel in Victorian Alpine areas during winter requires training and experience.  You control your risk by choosing how, when and where you travel, and the activities you participate in.

    When to go

    Fun in the Alpine National Park continues long after the snow has melted. Hiking, mountain biking and road cycling is at its best through summer while wildflowers still blanket the slopes. Walk or mountain bike the Brabralung Trail, which runs from Mount Hotham to Dinner Plain, or pedal the thrilling mountain bike trails of Dinner Plain.

    Need to know

    Bright, Feathertop and Dinner Plain

    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.

    An all-terrain wheelchair known as the TrailRider is available for free hire from the Mount Beauty Visitor Information Centre. Visitors must supply their own helmets. For more information, contact the Mount Beauty Visitor Information Centre on 1800 11 885. 

    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.

    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.

    • Alpine National Park

      Track closures - Alpine National Park (Eastern Alps)

      The following tracks in the Alpine NP (Omeo Management Area) are currently closed to all vehicles while condition assessments and repairs are being undertaken:
       
      Ingeegoodbee Track
      Cobberas Track
      MacFarlanes Flat Track

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Feathertop area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 7th – Friday 11th March, Monday 28th March – Friday 1st April and Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.

      See attached map for details.

      Attachments: ANP_Feathertop aerial shooting Information (744KB)

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 7th – Thursday 10th March, Monday 4th – Friday 8th April and Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.

      See attached map for details. 

      Attachments: ANP_Dinner Plain Dargo High Plains aerial shooting informat (490KB)

      Partial track closure - Besford Track, Alpine NP

      A severely water damaged section of Besford Track, within the Alpine National Park north of Benambra, is closed to all vehicles. There is no through access for vehicles on Besford Track between the Benambra-Corryong Road and Deep Creek Track.

      Early seasonal road closures 2022

      The following roads in the Alpine National Park are subject to early seasonal road closures.

      From 1 May 2022: Golden Ridge Track (Map 34D), King Spur Track (Map 34D), Long Spur Track (Map 34D), Shepherds Creek Track (Map 34D), and Kelly Lane (Map 34I).

      From 7 May 2022: Davies Plain Track (Maps 34F and 34G), and Kings Plain Track (Map 34F).

      From 16 May 2022: Bluff Track (Map 34A).

      See Map 34A: Alpine National Park (West A), Map 34D: Alpine National Park (Central), Map 34F: Alpine National Park (North East), Map 34G: Alpine National Park (East), and Map 34I: Alpine National Park (South West) for locations of the closures.

      Visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.

      Planned aerial shooting operations - Tom Groggin area

      Parts of this park will be closed from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.
       
      See attached map for details.
       

      Track Closure

      Mount Wellington and Moroka Range Tracks are closed due to four-wheel drive track maintenance works.

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Bogong High Plains and Foothills area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.
       
      See attached map for details.
       

      Attachments: Park closure - Bogong High Plains - May 2022 (644KB)

      Foothills & Southern Alps 4WD Track Maintenance


      Extensive roading maintenance work has commenced across vast areas of the Southern Alps. Works are occurring on various tracks in State Forest and the Alpine National Park north of Licola and will continue while conditions allow. We wish to inform visitors that the four-wheel drive network remains open, but you may encounter delays. Please contact the Heyfield Office for specific local information as machines will be moving throughout the landscape.

      Traffic Delays - Howitt Road

      Traffic delays will occur on Howitt Road near Dimmicks Lookout on the 24th and 25th of May. Excavation works are being undertaken to repair a section of the road. Visitors should consider an alternative route on these dates or expect delays.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Deer Control (ground shooting) operation underway

      Deer control is being undertaken in this park from October 2021 to June 2022. Some localised access restrictions may apply. Find out more about this program. 

    • Frys Flat Camping Area (Howqua Hills Historic Area, Howqua River Heritage River)

      Vehicle access to Frys Flat Horse Yards

      The Howqua Hills Track between Sheepyard Flat South and Frys Flat currently requires 4WD capability and may not be suitable for the use of floats and trailers to transport horses into this area.  It is recommended that visitors inspect the track prior to crossing to ensure that they are comfortable with the condition of the track and have the ability to cross safely. 

      Parks Victoria are currently negotiating various approvals and permits required to undertake the necessary repair and maintenance to restore this section of track. 

      If you still wish to book and camp at Fry’s Flat with your horse, there are alternate methods of accessing the area.  You can:

      • Walk/ride horses in from Howqua Hills track (100-200m)
      • Walk/ride horse in from Martin/Fern or Spring street (across the river)

      Alternative camping areas with vehicle-accessible horse yards available for booking nearby are also found at: 

      • Tunnel Bend, Howqua Hills Historic Area (up to 10 horses, dogs permitted).
      • 7-mile Flat, Alpine National Park (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted)
      • King River Hut, Alpine National Park (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted)
      • Lovicks Hut (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted) 

      For further information, please contact the Mansfield office on 03 5733 1200 and ask to speak to one of the PV Rangers. 

     
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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