The rolling hills of Heyfield, Licola and Dargo give little indication of the spectacular gorges that dissect the south-east corner of the Alpine National Park. Moroka and Bryces Gorge hide impressive waterfalls, while Mount Howitt, the Wonnangatta Valley and Tali Karng make for scenic settings to cross-country skiing, hiking, horse riding, deer hunting and four-wheel driving adventures.
Lake Tali Karng hides deep in the mountains and is the only natural lake within the Victorian Alps. Held behind a rock barrier created thousands of years ago, the underground stream it feeds emerges at the infant Wellington River.
The Wellington River has 13 numbered campsites just north of Licola on the Tamboritha Road. Sites offer facilities such as toilets, fire places and picnic tables. You can enjoy camping under the shady trees with easy access to the river. The geology of the surrounding area is spectacular and makes for a memorable camping experience.
The spectacular Wonnagatta Valley lies among forbidding mountains accessible to adventurous walkers, four-wheel drive enthusiasts, horse riders and deer hunters. Follow the epic Wonnangatta Drive and discover the ruins of an old homestead near the confluence of the Conglomerate Creek and Wonnangatta River, cattlemen’s huts on the high alpine plains and Grants Historic Area which includes the large grassy Talbotville camping area, just beyond the boundaries of the Alpine National Park.
Bryce’s Gorge is arguably one of Victoria’s most spectacular natural features. Not too far from Guys Hut, there is little warning of its existence until the open plains and snowgum woodlands plunge abruptly into a deep abyss. Follow the Bryce’s Gorge Circuit Walk to see Pieman and Conglomerate Falls tumble over the rim of the gorge into a chasm below.
Climb to the top of Mount Howitt, breaking at Vallejo Garntner Hut. Heritage listed for its architectural values, the hut was built in 1970.
Things To Do
Tali Karng
Wonnangatta Icon Drive
Dispersed camping in Alpine National Park
How to get there
Heyfield, Licola and Dargo
When you're there
Download the Parks Victoria visitor guide to get the most out of your Heyfield, Licola and Dargo visit.
The rolling hills and remote valley's hide some of the most beautiful landscapes in the state. The arduous Wonnangatta Drive meanders through the isolated landscapes of Wonnangatta Valley and brings to life the wonderful history of the region - from the ruins of old gold mining towns and cattleman's huts on the high plains to the unsolved murder-mystery of Wonnagatta Station.
Tali Karng sits comfortably among the mountains at the head of the Wellington River, while Bryce's and Moroka Gorge hide spectacular waterfalls, such as Conglomerate and Pieman Falls. The peaks of Mount Howitt, Mount Reynard and Snowy Bluff look out over the forbidden landscapes and remote wilderness areas of the Alpine National Park.
Other activities to note include:
- Wonnangatta Valley - interesting murder mystery lingers over the abandoned cattle station
- Grant Historic Area and the abandoned town of Talbotville now an amazing campground
- The beautiful Dargo and Howitt sub alpine landscapes
- Vehicle based camping along the Wellington River, Horseyard Flat and Thomastown
- The several historic cattleman's huts such as Howitt, Guys, Moroka, Kellys
- Vallejo Garntner Hut - heritage listed for its architectural values and surrounded by some of the most spectacular views in the Australian Alps.
- Bicentennial National Trail - iconic horse riding trail that crosses the Southern Alps and runs from Cooktown, Queensland to Healesville in Victoria 5,330km.
- The incredible hiking trails around Tali Karng, Bryces Gorge, Moroka Falls and Mount Howitt
- Epic four wheel drive experiences such as the Blue Rag Range and Billy Goat Bluff Tracks
When to go
The best time to explore the Alpine National Park on foot is between November and April. The mild summer temperatures found in the high altitudes of the Alpine National Park are the perfect retreat from its lower-lying counterparts and make for perfect hiking conditions. While the occasional sunny day can see daytime temperatures rise above 30°C, the nights are still cool.
Head towards the Mount Howitt and the Snowy Plains in summer when masses of wildflowers carpet the slopes – from Billy Buttons to Snow and Swamp Paper Daisies.
Need to know
Heyfield, Licola and Dargo
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.
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.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
The Alpine National Park is CLOSED north of Briagolong, east of Arbuckle Junction including Mount Howitt to Wabonga and south of Abbeyard, west of the Great Alpine Road and to the west of Dargo – due to the Dargo Wonnangatta complex fires in the area
Closed sites:- Howitt Road, Moroka Road, Tamboritha Road after Lost Plain, King Billy Track- Wonnangatta Valley including the Icon Drive from all approaches into the Valley- Mount Howitt carpark, Vallejo Gantner Hut, Macalister Springs and Mount Howitt Walking Track- Australian Alps Walking Track within the closure area- McMillans walking track- Howitt Hut- Bryces Gorge camping area- Moroka Road and Pinnacles Day visitor area, Horseyard Flat camping area, Mcfarlanes Saddle, Moroka Hut- Billy Goat Bluff Track- Blue Rag Range Track- All other roads and tracks in the closed areas of the Alpine National Park- Eaglevale and Talbotville camping areas (Grant Historic Area)- Mount Sarah Natural Features and Scenic ReserveOpen areas
Open areas include:- Wellington Campsites on Tamboritha Road- Wellington River Trailhead to Lake Tali Karng (the only access to Lake Tali Karng, Mcfarlanes Saddle closed)- Thomastown Camping area, Kelly Hut, McMichaels Hut- Alpine National Park beyond Hotham Heights to the north and to Omeo- Avon Wilderness ParkStay informed- For
updated information, visit the VicEmergency
website, or call the hotline on 1800 226 226.
- Download
the VicEmergency app and know how to use it – create a watch zone for
your home, work and loved ones to receive alerts within that watch zone.
- Know
your local emergency broadcaster and never rely on one source of emergency
information.
- Visit
the CFA website for the latest information on Fire
Danger Ratings.
- Visit
the BOM website to stay updated on weather forecasts
and warnings.
Attachments: 20260118_1000_MAC 25_NP_SF_Closures_A0P_135k_comp (7,759KB)
The Alpine National Park is CLOSED east of Mt Buller, South of Mt Buffalo and West of Mt Hotham – due to the Dargo Wonnangatta complex fires in the area.
Closed sites:- Beveridge
Station and the Buckland Valley Camps
- Australian
Alps Walking Track and other walking tracks within the closure area,
including all tracks accessing Mt Howitt, the Crosscut Saw, Mt
Speculation, the Razor Viking, Barry Mountains and the Twins.
- Wabonga
Plateau and Howitt Plains
- Park
and forest access south of Lake Buffalo
- Lake
Cobbler and Lake Cobbler Road south from Bennies
- Camp
Creek
- Riley's
Hut
- King
Hut
- Walking
tracks to Mt Howitt and the Crosscut saw from the Howqua Valley
- King
Billy Track, east of King Billys
Open areas:- The
Bogong High Plains
- Mt
Feathertop and Mt Loch areas
- Mt
Bogong
- Walking
tracks between Falls Creek and Mt Hotham
- Mt
Buffalo
- Visitor
sites accessed from the Omeo Highway
- Howqua
Hills
Stay informed- For
updated information, visit the VicEmergency website, or
call the hotline on 1800 226 226.
- Download
the VicEmergency app and know how to use it – create a watch zone for
your home, work and loved ones to receive alerts within that watch zone.
- Know
your local emergency broadcaster and never rely on one source of emergency
information.
- Visit
the CFA
website for the latest information on Fire Danger Ratings.
- Visit
the BOM
website to stay updated on weather forecasts and warnings.
Attachments: 20260123_1730_MAC 25_ForestClosures_A3P (9,799KB)
- For
updated information, visit the VicEmergency
website, or call the hotline on 1800 226 226.
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Alpine National Park
TRACK CLOSURE: Little Cobbler Track, Alpine National Park
Due to the poor condition of the Little Cobbler Track, it is closed. The track has suffered significant impacts from multiple flood and storm events that has left deep ruts that are not trafficable, making use of the track unsafe.There are multiple 4WD options for alternate routes between Lake Cobbler Road and Speculation Road areas. Options include;- via Cobbler Lake Track. Turn off Lake Cobbler Rd onto Cobbler Lake Track thru to Speculation Road.
- via Wild Horse Gap Track. Turn off Lake Cobbler Rd onto Wild Horse Gap Track, turn onto Burnt Top Track and follow thru to Pineapple Flat. From Pineapple Flat take King Basin Road thru to Speculation Road.
- via Basin Track. Turn off Upper Rose River Rd onto Basin Track, turn onto Burnt Top Track and follow thru to Pineapple Flat. From Pineapple Flat take King Basin Road thru to Speculation Road.
Please contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 if you need further assistance with journey planning in this area to assist with navigating around this closure.Cobberas, Ingeegoodbee and Macfarlane Flat Track closures.
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. It is difficult to predict when planning approvals will be obtained to allow for repairs to commence.
Before visiting, visitors should check the Parks Victoria website for the latest information about their destination.Attachments: FAQs for Cobberas ingeegoodbee and mcfarlane tks (128KB)
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Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
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.Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer
Control operations (aerial shooting) targeting deer are planned for this area. During operations parts of the Park will be closed to visitors. More information on closures will be posted a minimum of 4 weeks prior to commencement.Visitors are advised to check the Change of conditions listing prior to arrival for up to date information and maps.For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.