Fire-affected parks remain closed as others reopen.

Before you leave home, check for park closures and download the VicEmergency app.

Camping with your horse in the Bogong High Plains

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

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

Explore

Camping with your horse in the Bogong High Plains

Alpine National Park

Howqua Hills Historic Area

Horse yards can be reserved in advance during the season. No fees apply.

The Bogong High Plains in the Alpine National Park protect pristine mountains, offering a unique horse riding experience during the summer season between 1st December and 30th of April, making it a very popular choice for horseriding.

The most popular horse camps are Pretty Valley, Langfords West and Diamantina horse yards. These are ideal locations where riders can yard their horses close to camping areas and explore the High Plains from. These camping areas offer campsites, fire places and basic toilet facilities. Diamantina Yards in the West Kiewa offer low elevation riding and access to the Bogong High Plains via Westons Spur.

Horse camps are also available at Fitzgerald Hut, Kelly Hut, Mc Namara Hut Dinner Plain on Youngs Hut Track, Tawonga Huts, Bogong Jack Saddle Hut, and Camp Valley/Cleve Cole Hut (access only via Long Spur and, NO access to Mt. Bogong summit, no riding past Cleve Cole Hut). These sites don’t include yards (temporary yards permitted).

Parks Victoria has constructed yards at Pretty Valley, Langfords West and in the West Kiewa which can be booked using this page. We recommend bookings even if you have less than 5 horses due to high demand. No portable yards are permitted at this site.

The maximum number of horses which can be booked depend on the size of the yards available and are 20 horses for Pretty Valley yards, 10 horses for Langford West yards and 15 horses for Diamantina Yards in the West Kiewa.

For day rides and at remote sites, where no yards are provided (dispersed camping), the maximum number of horses is 20 (including riders and packhorses).
Permits are required for any horseriding parties larger than 5 horses (day and overnight riding), please call the office to arrange your permit.

Reserve a horse yard

Things to do in the area

 
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.
Two women ride horses along a dirt path in the You Yangs Regional Park.

Horse riding

Explore the landscape on horseback to appreciate the solitude and peace of the natural environment. Victoria's parks offer a variety of horse riding experiences.

How to get there

Camping with your horse in the Bogong High Plains

Bogong High Plains

When you're there

The most popular horse camps are Pretty Valley, Langfords West and Diamantina horse yards. These are ideal locations where riders can yard their horses close to camping areas and explore the High Plains from. These camping areas offer campsites, fire places and basic toilet facilities. Diamantina Yards in the West Kiewa offer low elevation riding and access to the Bogong High Plains via Westons Spur.

Horse camps are also available at Fitzgerald Hut, Kelly Hut, Mc Namara Hut Dinner Plain on Youngs Hut Track, Tawonga Huts, Bogong Jack Saddle Hut, and Camp Valley/Cleve Cole Hut (access only via Long Spur and, NO access to Mt. Bogong summit, no riding past Cleve Cole Hut). These sites don’t include yards (temporary yards permitted).

Need to know

Camping with your horse in the Bogong High Plains

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.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    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)

    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 Reserve
    Open 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 Park
    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: 20260118_1000_MAC 25_NP_SF_Closures_A0P_135k_comp (7,759KB)

  • 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)

  • 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.

    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.

 
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