Walking in the Alps
The Australian Alps Walking Track — Walhalla to Canberra
The Australian Alps Walking Track winds through the high country of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. It traverses rugged remote alpine country and bushwalkers must always be experienced, self reliant and have good navigation skills.
On the Australian Alps Walking Track you will visit some of Australia's finest alpine national parks. The track climbs our highest mountains and crosses exposed high plains. It passes through magnificent tall forests and stunted snow gum woodlands, and discovers sites rich in history.
Origins
The Australian Alps Walking Track is an extension of the Victorian Alpine Walking Track, through New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. For many years bushwalking enthusiasts from the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs and various government agencies promoted the concept of a long distance walking track from Walhalla to Canberra.
The Victorian Alpine Walking Track, developed in the 1970s, was the first stage in the dream of linking the Australian Alps with a three-state trail. Continuing the Australian Alps Walking Track through Kosciuszko National Park (NSW) and Namadgi National Park (ACT) turned that dream into reality.
On the right track
The 650 kilometre track generally follows ridges and high plains through some of the highest country in Australia. It is mostly far from any towns or other settlement. You can join the track at many places between Walhalla and Canberra, as it joins popular walking tracks in the Baw Baw, Alpine, Kosciuszko and Namadgi national parks.
You can walk the track in ten weeks, but many people choose to walk shorter sections such as those on the Baw Baw Plateau, the Bogong High Plains, and in the Jagungal Wilderness Area.
Navigation
Totem
The track is distinctively identified at track and road intersections for its entire length. It follows well maintained walking tracks, barely visible foot pads, grassy fire access trails, and fourwheel drive vehicle tracks.
To tackle the track you should be an experienced bushwalker, used to travelling in remote areas, and skilled in the use of map and compass. In some heavily forested sections of track in Victoria where it is difficult to navigate, the yellow track markers will be placed on trees.
Please note there are no markers in Wilderness areas. A GPS and EPIRB may be useful.
You must not depend on track markers for navigation.
Totems with directional markers are located at road and track intersections. New yellow track markers have replaced the older blue markers to improve visibility and to meet new Australian standards.
Wilderness
The track passes through five wilderness areas: Razor/Viking, Cobberas, Pilot, Jagungal and Bimberi. There are no directional markers or signs within these areas and walkers must be prepared for remote area navigation.
Weather
Weather conditions in the mountains are colder, wetter and much less predictable than at lower altitudes. During winter and spring snow can cover long sections of the track. In summer, thunderstorms are common and snow may fall, especially on the higher mountains. You need to be equipped for camping in all conditions and to be familiar with the symptoms and treatment of dangerous cold stress (hypothermia) and heat stress (hyperthermia).
Water
Water can be scarce along some sections of the track, especially in summer and along the drier ridges and spurs. Boil or filter all water. Be prepared to carry water, enough for two days.
Permits and restrictions apply along sections of the track
- fuel stove only areas exist in Baw Baw National Park, Alpine National Park, at Mount Bogong, in Kosciuszko National Park above the tree line (about 1,700 metres altitude) and in the Cotter Catchment of Namadgi National Park
- camping and fire permits are required for sections of Namadgi National Park
- camping restrictions apply in the Thomson and Jordan water supply catchments of Victoria.
For full details of restrictions and permit requirements see:
Australian Alps National Parks
The Australian, Victorian, NSW and ACT governments work closely together, as the Australian Alps Liaison Committee, to better manage the ancient and unique landscapes of the national parks in the Australian Alps. Parks and reserves managed under the internationally respected cross-border arrangements stretch from the outskirts of Canberra through NSW to the mountains of Victoria.
The Australian Alps Walking Track represents the spirit of cooperation across the Australian Alps national parks.
Leave no trace
Many areas along the Australian Alps Walking Track are particularly sensitive to bushwalking and camping impacts. They need your care and protection to survive.
For full details about minimising your impact see the Leave no trace page
More information
For further information see the Walker resources page
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Track/facility closures
Alpine NP
Access to Lake Tali Karng only via route from McFarlanes Saddle across Wellington Plains and down Gillios Track
Closed walking tracks include:
- Clive Lanigan (Valley of Destruction)
- Collingwood Spur
- Echo Point
- Mount Margaret
- Riggal Spur
- The Sentinels
- Wellington River
Baw Baw NP
- AAWT closed from Thompson Valley Rd to Mormon Town Track - including Fingerboard Spur and the Walhalla Tramway Bridge
- Zig Zag Track (Old Steel Bridge Walking Track) closed
- Thompson River Tramway Walking Track
- Map showing closed sections (PDF - 489 KB)
Kosciuzko NP
The roads through to Currango Homestead are closed for the winter season from the long weekend in June to the long weekend in October each year.
Namadgi NP
The Orroral Campground is temporarily closed until further notice.
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