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

    Camper Trailer
    Tent
    Campervan
    Mobile Home
    Caravan

    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

      Little Cobbler Track closed until further notice

      Little Cobbler Track in Alpine National Park is closed until further notice due to bridge safety concerns.

      Areas of Alpine National Park closed due to 2019/2020 fires

      Some tracks and areas in the Alpine National Park remain closed due to fire damage during the 2019/2020 bushfires. Please check the Fire affected parks  page for a full list of closures. 

      Aerial shooting operation underway

      Parts of the Alpine National Park (see attached maps) will be closed from Monday 1 March to Friday 5 March 2021.

      This is to ensure safe implementation of an aerial shooting program targeting deer and feral pigs, to protect native species impacted by bushfires.

      The Dinner Plain/ Dargo High Plains area will only be closed from 1 to 4 March 2021, re-opening 5 March 2021.

      Attachments: Alpine-National-Park-access-maps (1,130KB)

      Deer control (ground shooting) - Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains and surrounds)

      Parks Victoria will be continuing its deer control program on and around the Bogong High Plains from early-December 2020 to May 2021.


      The program will be carried out under strict conditions designed to ensure safe, effective, and humane practices are implemented.  A suitably qualified and experienced contractor has been engaged to deliver the work.

      All personnel involved will be working under the supervision of Parks Victoria staff. They will be readily identifiable and will act in accordance with all legal requirements to ensure the safe use of firearms.

      All activities will comply with the requirements set out by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding hygiene and physical distancing to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

      If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963.

      Attachments: Deer Control Area - ANP Bogong High Plains and surrounds (419KB)

      Howitt Road conditions

      Howitt Road is currently recommended for All wheel Drive and Four Wheel Drive vehicles with sufficient clearance. Vehicles travelling on Howitt Road road  require attention to variations of the surface along the length of road between Arbuckle Junction and Howitt Car park.

    • 1st Beach (Marlo Coastal Reserve)

      Temporary track closures - Alpine National Park (Eastern Alps)

      Temporary track closures - Alpine National Park (Eastern Alps)

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

      These tracks are expected to remain closed for an extended period during 2021 while complex assessments are undertaken and options for repairs are evaluated. These tracks will remain closed for the summer and autumn/winter period of 2021. Parks Victoria will notify key stakeholders and update this information when the tracks are reopened.

    • Bungalow Spur Walk (Alpine National Park)

      Carparking at Bungalow Spur Walking is now located at Tronah Reserve

      BUNGALOW SPUR CARPARK | Council has been working with the community, the Tronoh Reserve Committee of Management and Parks Victoria to facilitate suitable, safe parking for visitors to the popular Bungalow Spur Walking Track up Mount Feathertop.
      This week new signage will be visible to those visiting the walking track:
      - A series of permanent signs will designate the area immediately opposite the existing trailhead on Feathertop Track as a drop off zone only, designed for motorists to drop off and collect walkers and their equipment.
      - A temporary Variable Message Sign will be installed to direct motorists to a new carparking area in the Tronoh Reserve and limit vehicular traffic on Feathertop Track.
      The scope of the Alpine Better Places Harrietville Detailed Concept Design project includes carparking and trailhead facilities in the Tronoh Reserve, and interested members of the community are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft concept designs during the next community consultation planned in early 2021.
      For further information, please contact Council on 5755 0555 or info@alpineshire.vic.gov.au.

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

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