Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

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Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

Alpine National Park

The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is a 37km three-day hike through the Alpine National Park from Falls Creek to Mt Hotham. Enjoy spectacular views of mountain ridges from 2000m above sea level, walk through beautiful Snow Gum woodland and camp near two historic huts.

Winding its way along alpine ridges through snow gum woodlands and snow grass plains, over rocky summits and past historic huts, this memorable hike rewards walkers with a spectacular view at every step. By night, see thousands of twinkling stars against some of the darkest skies in the world far from light pollution.

The trail is divided over three legs as follows:

Day 1: Falls Creek to Cope Hut, 14km

Day 2: Cope Hut to Dibbins Hut, 14km

Day 3: Dibbins Hut to Mt Hotham, 9km

Day 1 highlights include lookouts at Heathy Spur, historic Wallace Hut and Cope Hut - and swathes of pink, gold and white wildflowers in spring and summer. On Day 2, there are stunning panoramas from Pole 333 and unforgettable views of Mount Feathertop, Victoria's second-highest mountain. Day 3 highlights include abandoned Quintet Mine, charming Derricks Hut - and of course a well-deserved coffee and cake at Mt Hotham!

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How to get there

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

From Falls Creek the trail starts from the Heathy Spur carpark, on the eastern side of the Rocky Valley dam wall in the Alpine National Park. Heathy Spur carpark is 3km from the Falls Creek Information Centre via road, or walk from the Falls Creek village bowl via the aqueduct track. The trail finishes at the Mt Loch carpark at Mt Hotham.

Falls to Hotham is a point-to-point walk, so you’ll need transport to the start and a way to get home at the end. The drive between trailheads takes approximately two-and-a-half hours.

Using two vehicles in a car shuffle is a popular option. Drive in convoy to the end of the walk, drop off one vehicle, then return to the start of the walk in the other vehicle. Vehicles can be left at the Heathy Spur or Mt Loch car parks at either end.

If you’re staying at Falls Creek, Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain before your walk, some accommodation providers can offer transport or assist with a car shuffle.

When to go

Summer is a great time to walk the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing. Wildflowers are in bloom and the temperature at 2000m is a welcome relief from the warmer climate at lower altitudes.

Need to know

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

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 Hut and Camping Area (Alpine National Park)

    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). 

  • 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.
     
    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)

    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.

    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)

    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. 

    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. 

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    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

    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.

  • 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 Sites

    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.

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