This is the second attempt at running this walk. The first attempt, in early December 2021, was thwarted a critical road bridge, at Mountain Creek campground, being out of action for a major upgrade.

There is no such thing as an ‘Easy’ route up Mount Bogong, Victoria’s highest point, at 1986m, just ‘Easier’ routes. This walk will go via Granite Flat Spur, the ‘easiest’ route. Compared to the traditional route of Staircase Spur, this route saves about 500m of climbing. And compared to Eskdale Spur, this route saves about 200m of climbing.

We’ll meet at the Mountain Creek campsite and drive on un-sealed roads (AWD needed) to Granite Flat Spur. From there it is walking up to the summit for fantastic views before going onto the delightful camp at Cleve Cole Hut. On Sunday most walkers will descend via Eskdale Spur, except for the drivers, who will descend Granite Flat Spur.

This walk is alpine, and some previous pack walking experience is required. Mount Bogong has a nasty habit of generating its own weather, despite good forecasts, and walkers need to be prepared for this, including the possibility of snow.

Despite the possibility of bad weather, this will be a memorable walk on the roof of Victoria. We look forward to seeing you there.

A classic introduction to pack walking for novices. This is a low altitude walk in the stunning Howqua Valley along the southern flank of Mount Buller.

Starting and finishing at Eight Mile Flat. Easy walking along the Howqua River to camp at picturesque Ritchies Hut. Optional side-trip with day packs (or mostly unloaded overnight packs) to Bindaree Hut and return. Return to the cars on Sunday morning along the same route.

Sheepyard Flat is a very extensive and popular camping area on the Howqua River. On the way home we may do a short walk to explore some historic features in this area.

Although we are staying at an historic fisherman’s retreat, novices should not expect to camp inside the hut. All participants require tents, sleeping bags and fuel stoves (hiking stoves). This is a very popular location, so sharing the large camping area with others is a high possibility.

Meet at 8:00am Saturday at the Sheepyard Flat entrance sign before driving to Eight Mile Flat to start the walk at around 9:00am. The alternative meeting point will be at Eight Mile Flat at 8:45am. Be advised that driving between Sheepyard Flat and Eight Mile Flat is not recommended at night due to its slightly rough and narrow build, and that the final descent into Eight Mile Flat is not recommended for low-clearance two-wheel-drives - AWD vehicles are recommended for this final section.

To reach Sheepyard Flat, drive to Mansfield, then continue towards Mt Buller. A kilometre or so beyond the small town of Merrijig turn right onto the un-sealed Howqua Track and follow it to Sheepyard Flat, which is a short distance after the Howqua Hills Historic Area.

Mt Speculation, on the Australian Alps Walking Track, is one of the most scenic locations in Victoria, with 360 degrees of alpine views. In good weather a summit camp is worth the extra thirty minutes of lugging your pack up from the lower campsite at Camp Creek.

Getting there is not all that easy. In the absence of a serious 4WD, this route will take the easiest walking route, starting at Lake Cobbler.

From Lake Cobbler we’ll walk up to the Cobbler Plateau then drop packs and do a one-hour side trip to the craggy and very distinct summit of Mt Cobbler. From there it’s a road-bash to Camp Creek, and, weather permitting, we’ll camp on the summit of Mt Speculation, otherwise we’ll camp at the more sheltered saddle at Camp Creek.

On Sunday we’ll return via a foot track along scenic clifftops to Mt Koonika, then scrub-bash down to the road and descend to Lake Cobbler.

This is an alpine walk, with Mt Speculation topping out at 1700m, so all participants must be prepared for the possibility of cold conditions.

Suitable for novice pack walkers with a bit of self-confidence.

Getting to Bennies Camping Area

31km S of Whitfield, junction of Lake Cobbler Road and Rose River Road via Whitfield then Cheshunt. A map to Bennies will be provided to drivers.

About Getting to Lake Cobbler

From Bennies camping area (meeting point 1), the road up to Lake Cobbler is unsealed and slightly rough in places. AWD medium-clearance SUV’s are the recommended minimum vehicle type, for example Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forrester, etc.

If you have never been to Lake Cobbler, I strongly recommend you stay at Bennies on Friday night and come up with the convoy. Spare seats in the vehicles going up should not be a problem for those who wish to leave their car at Bennies.

This is a weekend pack-walk along the Southern section of the Burchell Trail (a 3-day walk in the Brisbane Ranges). The Brisbane Ranges are at their best in Spring, so in itself it's a good outing. However, another purpose is to give new (or returning) pack walkers an opportunity to "test out the gear". 

The overnight camp location will be at "Old Mill" campsite, a walker's only campsite, the first overnight camp on the Burchell Trail heading North from Stieglitz.

The exact route will depend on the number of participants (vehicles actually). If we are able to leave 1 vehicle at Anakie Gorge Picnic Area, the walk will be from Steiglitz to Old Mill, then Old Mill to Anakie Gorge the next day. If we can't do that, it will be Steiglitz to Old Mill, then back again the next day.

I've booked one of the two camp-sites at Old Mill (up to six people), the other can be booked if necessary.

We can arrange car-pooling as necessary.

Monday - option to camp in Nelson at Kywong Caravan Park, North Nelson Road.

Tuesday - Leave a car at the caravan park.  Drive to Moleside Picnic Area. Walk to Battersbys Camp, 19km Easy-Medium

Wednesday - Walk from Battersbys to Patterson Camp - 13.5km, Easy.

Thursday - Patterson's Camp  to Nelson 20.9km, Easy.  Suggestion to stay at Dartmoor Hotel/Motel and have a pub meal, or free camping nearby at nearby Fort O'Hare (no showers!)

Friday - Drive home.

Cowombat Flat is a beautiful grassy flat near the source of the Murray, where the Australian Alps Walking Track crosses from Victoria into NSW. It has a multitude of highlights (see below) and can only be visited by walkers - unless you're a ranger, etc. It's also a VERY long way from Melbourne, so this is a six-day trip - days 1 and 6 are essentially driving ...

Day 1: Drive to Native Dog Flat; car-based camping overnight (so a few luxuries permitted).

Day 2: Short drive to the start of the walking track, then packs on for the 12.5km (reasonably flat) walk in to Cowombat Flat. Set up our camp - the next two days are "day-walks" returning to the same campsite.

Day 3: Loop walk taking in the nearby highlights - Cowombat Flat itself (Plane Crash remains, farmhouse ruins, wildlife - native and feral, etc); the Absolute Official source of the Murray, marked with a pipe in the ground; the far end of the "straight-line" bit of the Victorian Border and the huge cairn marking it; and a walk back to the Flat along the baby Murray River. Probably less than 10km for the day, but full of interest, and a lot "off-track".

Day 4: A longer and harder loop walk, along 4WD tracks. (Pilot Creek Firetrail, Snowgum Firetrail, Cowombat Flat Track). A long climb initially, then undulating - about 19km. Good views of the Main Range (Kosciusko etc) in the distance. Possible off-track climb of Mt Pilot (alpine ash regrowth probably makes this too difficult).

Day 5: Pack up camp, walk the 12.5km back to the car(s). Drive to Omeo for camping at the caravan park (or accommodation). Celebratory Dinner!

Day6: Return to Melbourne

All Australia's peaks over 2000m are in Kosciusko National Park - Mount Jagungal is a favourite, 2062m in elevation, isolated and standing 400m clear of the surrounding high plains - great views in every direction across the Jagungal Wilderness area.

This walk is essentially a 3 day pack-walk (with a driving day tacked on either end). The "pack-on" walking is reasonably straightforward, on 4WD management trails. Day by day outline follows ...

Day 1 - Driving, ending with car-based camping at Clover Flat (Khancoban/Cabramurra Rd)

Day 2 - Short drive to Round Mountain trailhead, then packs on - 14km of trail to campsite at Derschkos Hut. Reasonably flat walking.

Day 3 - Short walk of 7.5km to campsite at O'Keefes Hut,  but with a pack-off climb/descent of Mt Jagungal (allow 2-3 hours) in the middle. Again reasonably flat trails.

Day 4 - Walk of 13.5 km to Round Mountain Hut campsite - long descent, ford of Tumut River, sharp climb - about 400m up/down. (OPTION - another 2km walking gets us back to the cars, drive into Khancoban for accomodation and celebratory dinner?)

Day 5 - Drive home