Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains. Accessible only by walking track, this tranquil lake is sacred to the Gunaikurnai people. Please treat the area with respect, and do not camp at the lake.
The trip to Tali Karng is an adventurer's dream. Three walking tracks lead to the lake, ranging from 13km to 20km one-way. Whichever you take, you'll need to be fit and experienced, and have everything you need for a full day's walk on hand (see the Visitor Guide for more details).
Each of the tracks offers a different landscape to experience. Trek across Wellington Plains or ford the Wellington River. The remoteness of the area makes it a magnificent camping spot.
Make camp at Nyimba Camp near the southern end of the Wellington Plains walking track, or below the lake in the Valley of Destruction. Nyimba Camp has toilets and fireplaces.
Tali Karng 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 150m below in the Valley of Destruction.
The first people to call this area home were the Gunaikurnai people, most likely members of the Brayakaulung clan. Aboriginal people guided many European explorers and gold miners through the mountains along well-used pathways, which now form some of today's road and track network.
Tali Karng is a sacred place to the Gunaikurnai and in keeping with their law, Aboriginal people are forbidden to go there.
Aboriginal people do not oppose non-indigenous people visiting Tali Karng as long as they treat the area with respect. Camping at the lake is disrespectful, so please treat the area with care as you pass by the lake and camp elsewhere.
Things To Do
This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
Hiking in Alpine National Park
Dispersed camping in Alpine National Park
Alpine Discovery Days
How to get there
Tali Karng
When you're there
Need to know
Tali Karng
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.
Safety in nature
To ensure that you and your companions stay safe, always remember that the natural environment can be unpredictable. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
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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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
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 20253-7 March 202524-28 March 2025The 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 openCLOSED—Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains· Mt Tabletop Walking Track· Mayford· Kings Spur· Long Spur· All other tracks remain openCLOSED—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 openVisitors are advised to check the Change of conditions listing prior to arrival for up to date information and maps.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 202410-14 February 2025Visitors 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)
East Caledonia Track CLOSED due to bushfire in the area
East Caledonia Track is CLOSED from the intersection of Howitt Road, due to bushfire in the area. Fire crews are working in the area to contain the fire. Please comply with road closure signage.
Please refer to the Vic Emergency website or Vic Emergency App for up to date information and warnings regarding the fire.
https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/Twins Track closure
Track repair works are currently underway on Twins Track. The track will be closed whilst repair works are being undertaken during the week, as there is very limited ability to safely get past the operating bulldozer. The closure will be lifted on the weekends and the track reopened.
Alternate route is Great Alpine Road - Gunns Track - Pheasant Creek Track - Selwyn Creek Road.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 31st 2024
- 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. - Cobberas Track
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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)
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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.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. -
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.
Explore Alpine National Park
Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing
Brabralung Trail
Mount Feathertop
Lake Cobbler
Paradise Falls
