Trip Overview
The High Country in Victoria is home of some of Australia’s most famous hiking, skiing, mountain biking and sight-seeing areas.
We will be walking some scenic trails around Falls Creek and enjoying the snow country in summer when the ski crowds have gone home! Falls Creek is a gorgeous town and some cafes/restaurants will be open then.
Our Leader is Richard; Co-leader is Doug.
Accommodation
We have booked four apartments in a ski lodge at Falls Creek for 7 nights. Each apartment has a fully-equipped kitchen, dining/lounge area, bathroom and two bedrooms. There will be three people per apartment: two (same gender) in the larger bedroom which has 2 double bunks, and one person in the smaller bedroom which has 1 double bunk. You will need to bring your own linen – more details will be provided prior to the trip.
We have now booked a fifth (smaller) apartment in the same ski lodge. Similar to the four larger apartments except only one bedroom.
There is also a large recreation room which all our apartments can use.
We will arrange a group dinner for the last night. For other nights, you may choose to self-cater at the lodge or join any others who are eating out..
We are expected to clean the lodge prior to departure.
You also have the option of booking your own accommodation.
Itinerary and Walk Descriptions
Two day hikes are graded Medium; the other hikes are graded Medium-Hard with an optional Hard hike on the ‘rest day’ for those wanting an extra challenge. We may offer an alternative easier hike on one or more of the ‘Medium-Hard’ days if there is sufficient interest. Walkers are free to have their own rest day when needed.
Saturday January 23
Arrive in Falls Creek and check in to your accommodation.
Sunday January 24
Mount McKay via Road 24 and Frying Pan Spur – 19.6 km, 760 m of elevation gain, Medium-Hard
Expect some great alpine views, with this tougher hike to start the week off.
Monday January 25
Spion Kopje Track – 10.3 km, 881 m of elevation gain, Medium-Hard
This is a short, challenging but rewarding trail starting right near Falls Creek.
Tuesday January 26
Fitzgerald Hut via Marum Point – 17.1 km, 300 metres of elevation gain, Medium
We’ll get to see some classic Australian Alpine scenery with this hike. It will be a little flatter than the previous couple of days.
Wednesday January 27
Rest day for those wanting a rest. We can chill out around Falls Creek for the day or explore some nearby towns such as Mt Beauty.
Those who are very fit and prepared may choose to tackle the following very challenging hike:
Big River Fire Trail, T Spur and the Staircase – 32 km, 1400 metres of elevation gain, Hard.
This point-to-point hike will take us to via Cleve Cole Hut and Hell Gap and finish at the Mountain Creek Campsite.
Another option is:
Mount Fainter via Fainter Fire Trail and Mount Jaithmathang – 22.5 km, 800 m of elevation gain, Medium-Hard
This loop will take us to the base of Mount Fainter, where we can climb it if time and weather allow. Expect another classic alpine hike.
Thursday January 28
Ropers Hut via Heathy Spur Track – 24.8 km, 580 metres of elevation gain, Medium-Hard.
A long, challenging but rewarding day hike. The destination is Ropers Hut, one of the iconic shelters used by cattlemen and hikers in the past.
Friday January 29
Mount Jim and Youngs Hut Track – 16.6 km, 500 metres of elevation gain, Medium
This is another great little day walk across the open grasslands of the Bogong High Plain.
Group dinner to celebrate a great trip!
Saturday January 30
Time to clean our lodge and check out. We return home and 2027 is under way!
Transport
Transport to and from Falls Creek is by car. Please indicate your transport requirements and preferences on the booking request form when you book in.
If you don’t have a car, we can’t guarantee to provide you with a lift – this will depend on available drivers and their locations.
Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please discuss the preferred method of payment with your driver.
Booking
Booking is required for this walk. Please indicate what similar walks you have done recently (i.e. in the past few months) to give the leader confidence that you are capable of doing this one. Refer to Walking Grades which, in conjunction with the walk description, will help you assess whether you have the required walking fitness and experience to do this walk.
The Leader will confirm your acceptance on the walk, or not, via email. The leader will provide details of where and when to meet.
Trip Price (Club accommodation):
Members: $432 + Booking fee (nil) = $432.
Non-members: $432 + Booking fee ($12) = $444.
Trip Price (Own accommodation):
Members: $0 + Booking fee (nil) = $0.
Non-members: $0 + Booking fee ($12) = $12.
Payment:
Members and non-members are required to pre-pay the trip price for this event.
You can pay by Paypal or credit/debit card.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel, please advise the leader as soon as possible, so that someone else has the opportunity.
If we can find a replacement for you, we will provide a refund as follows:
. For cancellations received more than 7 days before the event, the refund will be the full trip price less $20.
. For cancellations received within 7 days of the event, the refund will be 75% of the trip price less $20.
There will be no refund if we can’t find a replacement for you or you are a “no-show”.
In the unlikely circumstance that the event needs to be cancelled for any reason (e.g. safety risks due to extreme weather conditions), we will only be able to provide refunds if the club receives a refund from the accommodation provider according to their cancellation policy.
What to Bring
• All the equipment, clothing, food and water you will need for the walks and overnight stays (refer Trip details above).
Refer to our Gear Checklist page for more details, or discuss with the leader. If you are not properly equipped, the walk leader can decide not to let you participate on this walk.
Safety and Ambulance Insurance
We strongly recommend that you have Ambulance cover. If conditions are hazardous, the walk may be cancelled. If any doubts at all, check your emails the night before and the morning of the event. For more details refer to Safety.
Still have questions?
Check out Joining a Walk.
Check out Weekend and extended walks.
Contact the leader using the Enquiry form, above the Booking Request.
