Mansfield and Whitfield

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Mansfield and Whitfield

Alpine National Park

See Victoria’s tallest waterfall, Dandongadale Falls, plunge 255 metres over a sheer cliff face and disappear into the Ross River below. Visit Paradise Falls, where a fine silver mist spills over a red conglomerate ledge or the quaint Little Falls nestled in a narrow fern-laden gully.

Climb Mount Howitt where fine views of the Crosscut Saw, Mount Speculation and the Terrible Hollow unfold. The huge escarpments of The Bluff may seem forbidding, but natural breaks allow a fairly easy scramble to the top. Take in the views of wildflower-strewn plains and Lake Eildon and Mount Buller in the distance. The Australian Alps Walking Trail also makes its final journey through the Alpine National Park before meandering east towards Walhalla.

Although accessible from various points within the Alpine National Park, you can access the iconic Wonnangatta Drive from Mansfield. This 4WD journey takes in the historic mountain huts, finding your way to the Wonnangatta Valley, the mysterious Wonnangatta Station and old goldmining town of Talbotville.

Things To Do

 
Three horseriders saddle-up a pack horse before the day's riding.

Camping with your horse in Alpine National Park and Howqua Hills

The Alpine National Park and Howqua Hills Historic Area provide a unique and stunning backdrop for multi-day horse rides.
Two women sit beside the ephemeral Paradise Falls located near the headwaters of the King River in the Alpine National Park.

Paradise Falls

Paradise Falls cascade 31 metres and are most spectacular in spring, early summer or after rain. The walk to the viewing platform is a well‐made stepped track perfect for all ability levels.
A woman hikes to the top of Mt Cobbler with spectacular views of the High Country in the background.

Mount Cobbler Walk

Enjoy a beautiful walk to Mount Cobbler and take in amazing views from the top of the mountain. The track is relatively steep and recommended for physically fit walkers.

How to get there

Mansfield and Whitfield

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, horse riding and four-wheel driving conditions. While the occasional sunny day can see daytime temperatures rise above 30°C, the nights are still cool.

Need to know

Mansfield and Whitfield

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

    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.
     
    3-7 February 2025
    3-7 March 2025
    24-28 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 v2 (2,046KB)

    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)

    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
    • Scrubby Hill Track will remain closed beyond seasonal closure date of Oct 31st 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.

  • Davies Plain Hut & Camping Area (Alpine National Park)

    Davies Plain Track - damaged track section temporarily closed to all vehicles

    A 2.3km section of Davies Plain Track, near Davies Plain Hut Camping Area within the Alpine National Park, is currently closed to all vehicles because of significant water damage and severe erosion, following recent flood and storm events in the area.  As a result of the temporary closure, Davies Plain Track is not currently a thoroughfare for vehicles between Tom Groggin and Charlie Creek Camping Area. There is currently no vehicle access to Davies Plain Hut or the adjoining camping area, pending completion of site assessments and subsequent repairs. Nearest camping areas accessible to suitable 4WD vehicles on Davies Plain Track are Charlie Creek Camping Area to the south; and Buckwong Creek Camping Area to the north (near Tom Groggin). 
     

    Attachments: Flood damaged track section currently closed to all vehicles Davies Plain south (189KB)

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Track Closure - Long Spur Track - Alpine National Park

    Long Spur Track in the Alpine National Park is currently CLOSED from the intersection of King Spur Track for public safety. The area has been subject to widespread Storm Damage. 

    Alpine National Park - Howitt Road

    Parks Victoria wish to advise that due to recent works and rainfall, that the Howitt Road is currently only suitable for high clearance 2WD / AWD  or 4WD vehicles. Caution should be taken as the road surface may be slippery.
     Works have occurred north of Bryce's Gorge Carpark.

    Mt Howitt Walking Track maintenance works

    Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC) volunteers will be undertaking walking track maintenance on Mt Howitt Walking Track from Friday 24th January until Monday 27th January.

    Volunteers will be using chainsaws, brushcutters, hedgetrimmers, hand tools etc so please make yourself known to volunteers so that they can turn off equipment prior to passing.

    During this time the group will be camped at Vallejo Gantner Hut at Macalister Springs. There may be less available campsites than usual.

  • Mt Pinnibar Summit (Alpine National Park)

    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. 
     

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

  • Ritchies Hut (Alpine National Park, Howqua River Heritage River)

    TEMPORARY ASSET CLOSURE: Ritchies Hut Toilet

    Please be advised that the toilet at the Ritchies Hut Camping Area is currently closed. 

    The Ranger team are currently working on getting the toilet back up and operational as soon as possible

  • Federation Hut (Alpine National Park)

    Federation Hut water availabilty

    The water tank at Federation Hut is currently empty and until there is significant rain, there will be no water in the tank.

    Non-potable water is still available at the spring off Bungalow Spur Walking Track near the Old Feathertop Hut site and at the spring on the Northwest Spur/Tom Kneen Walking Track between the Razorback Walking Track and MUMC Hut.

  • Sandy Flat (Alpine National Park)

    Sandy Flat track - Long Spur track mulching works - Alpine National Park

    Sandy Flat Track and Long Spur Track located in the Alpine National Park are receiving mulching works from 18th of January through to the 3rd of February. Works include mulching track verges with heavy machinery and minor track upgrades in readiness for a future fuel reduction burn. Contractors will be onsite and contactable in UHF channel 20. The tracks will remain trafficable and flow managed by onsite contractors.

 
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