Dispersed camping in Alpine National Park

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    Dispersed camping in Alpine National Park

    The Alpine National Park offers some of the most authentic and scenic bush camping opportunities in Victoria. Camping in the park is suited to experienced hikers and campers that are self sufficient.

    Dispersed camping is permitted throughout much of the park. There are some camping areas that include facilities such as pit toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces.

    Within the Alpine National Park bookings and fees apply only to the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing.

    Further information and the location of camping areas can be found in the related publications below.

    When camping you should be fully self sufficient with food, water and camping equipment. Always carry a tent. Huts are for emergency use only. Firewood supplies are limited especially in the alpine and sub alpine areas, so the use of camping stoves is preferred.

    Weather can deteriorate suddenly and without warning, and snow can fall at any time of year, including mid-summer. Don't hesitate to turn back if the trip becomes too difficult or the weather deteriorates. Some roads are subject to seasonal closures in winter and early spring, check closures before you go.

    Things to do in the area

     
    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.
    Three friends stop for a quick drink late in the afternoon on their walk from Hotham to Falls Creek.

    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    One of Victoria's icon walks, the 37km Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) is a 3 day/2 night walk through the Alpine National Park, linking the resort villages of Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.
    The majestic Lake Tali Karng.

    Tali Karng

    Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains. Accessible only by foot, it is known as the ‘hidden lake’.

    How to get there

    Dispersed camping in Alpine National Park

    The Alpine National Park stretches from central Gippsland all the way to the New South Wales border. The horse yards available for booking on this page are mostly around the Mansfield and Whitfield area or the Mount Beauty and Bogong High Plains area of the Alpine National Park. Some of the horse yards are in neighbouring Howqua Hills Historic Area, which is located 30 minutes from Mansfield via Merrijig by taking the Howqua Track, a gravel road 3km past Merrijig on the Mount Buller Road.
    Bogong High Plains

    Sites

    When you're there

    Download the Alpine National Park visitor guide for more information about the park, camping and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 

    Need to know

    Dispersed camping in Alpine National Park

    Where to Camp

    Around Bright, Mount Beauty, Omeo and Dargo

    Dispersed bush camping is permitted throughout the area except within 200 metres of the Bogong High Plains or Pretty Valley Roads.

    Toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces are provided at the following camping areas:

    • JB Plain between Hotham Village and Dinner Plain on the Great Alpine Road (walk in only)
    • Buckety Plain, Rasberry Hill and Langfords West (horse yards) on the Bogong High Plains east of Falls Creek
    • Mountain Creek at the foot of Mt Bogong near Tawonga

     

    Around Heyfield, Licola and Dargo in the Wonnangatta - Moroka area

    Toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces are provided at the following camping areas:

    • Wellington River - 13 unnumbered camping areas beneath shady peppermints and manna gums, toilets located at some sites. Horse yards at site 12. Tamboritha Road approximately 10 km from Licola.
    • Horseyard Flat - set amongst Black Sallees on the banks of the Moroka River.
    • Eaglevale - on the Wonnangatta River below the towering ramparts of Mt Kent and Snowy Bluff.
    • Wonnangatta Valley (4WD access only) - near the historic site of the Wonnangatta Homestead.
    • Talbotville (4WD access only) - on the grassy flats of the Crooked River.
    • Grant - a grassy clearing in the forest and all that remains of a once thriving gold mining town.

     

    Around Mansfield and Whitfield

    Sites with facilities are:

    • Sheepyard and Frys Flats, and several other flats upstream along the Howqua River
    • Bluff Hut (4WD access)
    • Bennies camping area beside the Rose River (2WD access)
    • Lake Cobbler (4WD access recommended - very rough 2WD past Bennies)
    • Pineapple Flat (4WD access)
    • King Hut (4WD access)

     

    Around Mitta Mitta, Omeo, Tallangatta, Corryong and Cobberas

    Camper trailers are not recommended for Cobberas Trail, MacFarlane Flat Track and Ingeegoodbee Track due to very steep, loose and rocky terrain.
    Camper trailers are not recommended on Davies Plain Track, Limestone Creek Track and McCarthys Track due to steep, loose and rocky terrain.

    Sites with basic facilities such as pit toilets and fireplaces are:

    • Taylor’s Crossing beside the Mitta Mitta River
    • Dogman Hut near Tom Groggin Station
    • Limestone Creek (4WD only) - Limestone - Black Mountain Road (Camper trailers can access Limestone Creek Camping Area from the Black Mountain-Limestone Road)
    • The Poplars (4WD dry weather only) - Limestone Creek - McCarthy’s Tracks
    • Charlies Creek (4WD only) on the southern end of Davies Plain Track
    • Davies Plain Hut (4WD only) on the northern end of Davies Plain Track.
    • Bunroy Creek on the banks of the Murray River, access via the Bunroy Road

      Trailers are not recommended on Davies Plain Track, Limestone Creek Track and McCarthys Track due to steep, loose and rocky terrain. Camper trailers are okay to Limestone Creek camping area from the Black Mountain Limestone Road. No trailers on Cobberas Trail, MacFarlane Flat Track and Ingeegoodbee Track due to very steep, loose and rocky terrain. 

    Along the Omeo Highway - travelling from Omeo to Mitta Mitta there is:

    • CRB Camp near Anglers Rest
    • Anglers Rest near the historic ‘Blue Duck’ hotel
    • Jokers Flat beside the Big River
    • Big River Bridge near Glen Valley 

     

    Around Wabonga Plateau, Mt Cobbler and Powers Lookout

    Sites with facilities are:

    • Bennies Camping Area (2WD access)
    • Lake Cobbler (4WD access recommended - very rough 2WD past Bennies)
    • Pineapple Flat (4WD access)
    • King Hut (4WD access)

     

    Around Howitt, Snowy Range and Tali Karng

    Sites for bushwalkers with basic facilities are:

    • Macalister Springs - fuel stove only area.
    • Tali Karng - fuel stove only area. Large groups are asked to register at the Heyfield Office. Preferred campsites are situated at Riggals Hut site and along Wellington River.

      Sites for car based campers with basic facilities are:
    • Wellington River - 9 km along the river, beginning 10 km north of Licola. Toilets at some sites.
    • Horseyard Flat - Beside the Moroka River.
    • Wonangatta Valley (4WD only) - near the historic site of the Homestead.

     

    Alpine back country winter safety

    Safe backcountry travel in Victorian Alpine areas during winter requires training and experience.  You control your risk by choosing how, when and where you travel, and the activities you participate in.

    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

      Track closures - Alpine National Park (Eastern Alps)

      The following tracks in the Alpine NP (Omeo Management Area) are currently closed to all vehicles while condition assessments and repairs are being undertaken:
       
      Ingeegoodbee Track
      Cobberas Track
      MacFarlanes Flat Track

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Feathertop area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 7th – Friday 11th March, Monday 28th March – Friday 1st April and Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.

      See attached map for details.

      Attachments: ANP_Feathertop aerial shooting Information (744KB)

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 7th – Thursday 10th March, Monday 4th – Friday 8th April and Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.

      See attached map for details. 

      Attachments: ANP_Dinner Plain Dargo High Plains aerial shooting informat (490KB)

      Partial track closure - Besford Track, Alpine NP

      A severely water damaged section of Besford Track, within the Alpine National Park north of Benambra, is closed to all vehicles. There is no through access for vehicles on Besford Track between the Benambra-Corryong Road and Deep Creek Track.

      Early seasonal road closures 2022

      The following roads in the Alpine National Park are subject to early seasonal road closures.

      From 1 May 2022: Golden Ridge Track (Map 34D), King Spur Track (Map 34D), Long Spur Track (Map 34D), Shepherds Creek Track (Map 34D), and Kelly Lane (Map 34I).

      From 7 May 2022: Davies Plain Track (Maps 34F and 34G), and Kings Plain Track (Map 34F).

      From 16 May 2022: Bluff Track (Map 34A).

      See Map 34A: Alpine National Park (West A), Map 34D: Alpine National Park (Central), Map 34F: Alpine National Park (North East), Map 34G: Alpine National Park (East), and Map 34I: Alpine National Park (South West) for locations of the closures.

      Visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.

      Planned aerial shooting operations - Tom Groggin area

      Parts of this park will be closed from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.
       
      See attached map for details.
       

      Track Closure

      Mount Wellington and Moroka Range Tracks are closed due to four-wheel drive track maintenance works.

      Planned Aerial shooting operations - Bogong High Plains and Foothills area

      Parts of this Park will be closed from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th May 2022.
       
      See attached map for details.
       

      Attachments: Park closure - Bogong High Plains - May 2022 (644KB)

      Foothills & Southern Alps 4WD Track Maintenance


      Extensive roading maintenance work has commenced across vast areas of the Southern Alps. Works are occurring on various tracks in State Forest and the Alpine National Park north of Licola and will continue while conditions allow. We wish to inform visitors that the four-wheel drive network remains open, but you may encounter delays. Please contact the Heyfield Office for specific local information as machines will be moving throughout the landscape.

      Traffic Delays - Howitt Road

      Traffic delays will occur on Howitt Road near Dimmicks Lookout on the 24th and 25th of May. Excavation works are being undertaken to repair a section of the road. Visitors should consider an alternative route on these dates or expect delays.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Deer Control (ground shooting) operation underway

      Deer control is being undertaken in this park from October 2021 to June 2022. Some localised access restrictions may apply. Find out more about this program. 

    • Frys Flat Camping Area (Howqua Hills Historic Area, Howqua River Heritage River)

      Vehicle access to Frys Flat Horse Yards

      The Howqua Hills Track between Sheepyard Flat South and Frys Flat currently requires 4WD capability and may not be suitable for the use of floats and trailers to transport horses into this area.  It is recommended that visitors inspect the track prior to crossing to ensure that they are comfortable with the condition of the track and have the ability to cross safely. 

      Parks Victoria are currently negotiating various approvals and permits required to undertake the necessary repair and maintenance to restore this section of track. 

      If you still wish to book and camp at Fry’s Flat with your horse, there are alternate methods of accessing the area.  You can:

      • Walk/ride horses in from Howqua Hills track (100-200m)
      • Walk/ride horse in from Martin/Fern or Spring street (across the river)

      Alternative camping areas with vehicle-accessible horse yards available for booking nearby are also found at: 

      • Tunnel Bend, Howqua Hills Historic Area (up to 10 horses, dogs permitted).
      • 7-mile Flat, Alpine National Park (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted)
      • King River Hut, Alpine National Park (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted)
      • Lovicks Hut (up to 20 horses, no dogs permitted) 

      For further information, please contact the Mansfield office on 03 5733 1200 and ask to speak to one of the PV Rangers. 

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    Two friends explore JB Plain after spending the night camping out.

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