Australian Alps Walking Track (SOBO – South Bound)
Section 6 (3 days): Days 32 – 34 to Food Drop 6
3/5/2025 – 5/05/2025 Benambra-Corryong Road – Omeo Highway
Distance: 44.0km Total Ascent: 2,854m Total Descent: 1,771m
Time: 23 hours Moving Time: 12 hours
Participants: Damien Aggio (Report), Stephen Davies (Report, Photos)
Day 32: Saturday 3/05/2025 Benambra-Corryong Road “Campsite” – AAWT – Benambra-Corryong Road (intersection) – Morass Creek – AAWT – Lower Tablelands Road – Snowys Road (intersection) – Tablelands Road – porphyry Hill Track (intersection) – Taylors Crossing Picnic Area – Mitta Mitta River – Taylors Crossing – Mitta Mitta River – Taylors Crossing Campsite – Four Mile Creek Track – IP Gap Track – Kennedys Hut
Alpine National Park, VICTORIA
Jaithmathang Country
Max elevation: 822 m
Total climbing: 439 m
Total descent: -558 m
Average speed: 3.93 km/h
Total time: 07:25:05
Despite some early concerns last night about sharp bits in the ground when we were putting up our tents, it proved to be a great selection. A bit of a gap in the canopy above and continuous soft grass, which was first trampled flat, proved very comfortable. It was again cold overnight with frost on the inside and outside of the tents. Our early morning was punctuated by the sound of a dingo howling in the distance, a couple of cars driving past and later by the sound of two gunshots.
Another bluebird day saw us away at 9:30am. We didn’t notice any better spots to camp as we headed along the minor track towards Morass Creek. The descent to the creek first heads through a gully before arriving at Morass Creek. The campsite we observed at Morass Creek was very ordinary. We were happy we had camped amongst the trees near Benambra-Corryong Road, although supplying our own water was essential there, but we did have water stashed in our food drop.
Damien on track past Morass Creek
Across Morass Creek, the track needs to be watched very closely as it is difficult to follow in places. It climbs quite steeply until it reaches the top of the ridge. From here, it follows a fire-trail before later descending through the forest to another fire-trail below. Again, great care is needed with the navigation as the track cannot always be followed. We ended up coming out onto a lower fire-trail about 50m away from the AAWT trail marker.
From here, we decided to follow the local roads as we were unsure of the condition of the track along the Mitta Mitta River. It had previously been closed due to being overgrown by blackberry bushes. This was cleared in 2021, but as blackberries are fast growing, we didn’t want to risk a 200m descent to the river track, find it overgrown and need to climb back to the road. We later saw reports that it was OK.
The roads we followed to Taylors Crossing pass through local farmland, so it was a different scenery from the last few weeks.
Arriving at Taylors Crossing Picnic Area about 2:00pm, we had a long, late lunch while we got things out to dry and took advantage of some glorious warm sunshine to get some solar charging happening, have a cleansing swim and rinse some clothes.
Around 4:00pm, we moved across Taylors Crossing suspension bridge to the campsite and, after quickly setting up our tents, headed off to inspect Kennedys Hut, just over a kilometre away. It has a fantastic setting close to the Mitta Mitta River and with its low door and earthen floor can truly be described as rustic. Inside, it had an old fridge and a couple of old wire-frame beds and a basic fireplace, but it was also littered with rubbish. All of the previous remote huts we had visited had been left, respectfully, clean and rubbish-free. Kennedy Hut, with 4WD vehicle access, seems to suffer as a result of easy vehicular access.
I had some company when I retired to my tent tonight. A small mouse had snuck in via a small gap left in the fly screen zipper. The mouse and I had five minutes of fun as I tried to get it out. I managed this successfully, with no injury to either of us.
Apart from two cars driving past, we saw no one else today.
Taylors Crossing footbridge
Damien
A mild evening was had, followed by a frosty, fine weather morning. Surprisingl,y it was nowhere near as cold as the previous frosty night at Johnnie’s Top. Unfortunately, we had to have a particularly short day of 10km walking only as there are no suitable campsites within a full day’s reach.
We arrived at Taylor’s Crossing at 2:00pm and had a lazy afternoon eating lunch, setting up camp, and charging devices using the solar panels, which only seriously start outputting power when we stop and face them into the sun.
Later, we took a stroll to look at Kennedys Hut. It was very spartan and trashed, as it is accessible by car. There are no decent camping spots nearby, but it does at least have a toilet. I don’t particularly recommend that you visit this hut.
Day 33: Sunday 4/05/2025 Taylors Crossing Campsite – Four Mile Creek Track – AAWT – Kellys Road – Toms Link Track – Eight Mile Loop Track – One Mile Spur Track – AAWT – Wombat Divide Track – AAWT – Gills Creek Walking Track – Gill Creek Camp
Alpine National Park, VICTORIA
Jaithmathang Country
Max elevation: 1263 m
Total climbing: 993 m
Total descent: -692 m
Average speed: 3.47 km/h
Total time: 07:17:03
We awoke to a chilly, foggy morning, with tiny droplets of water hanging in the air. We managed to get away by 9:20am.
Mitta Mitta River from Taylors Crossing
The cool morning air aided in our first morning hillclimb up some very steep sections of fire trails. As the morning progressed, the climbing intermittently continued. At least we had excellent stands of beautiful, tall forest trees to walk beneath, with interrupted views through those trees. A fire hazard reduction burn had a smoke haze blanketing the neighbouring hillsides and creating some pungent local air. All up, we had climbed about 800m before we took a lunch break in a sunny oasis.
Another 3km of fire trails after lunch and a 200m climb had us on top of a knoll from which the AAWT broke off and headed through the bush towards Gill Creek. This 4km stretch was mostly a ridge descent through tall forest. The track was obvious most of the way, and there were occasional track markers on trees to confirm the route. A lot of saplings were overgrowing the track, and pretty frequently, we were forced to clamber over fallen trees and branches. Some sections were quite steep and covered in leaf litter, making the footing a little insecure at times.
Damien on AAWT track past One Mile Spur Track
Once down to the very heavily overgrown, old road, we kept a lookout for the supposed campsite but failed to identify it. Consequently, we continued down to and crossed Gill Creek, where immediately after crossing it, we reached a small, flat campsite. After the removal of the coals from a fireplace, we had just enough room to pitch both of our tents. I’m not sure how we would have handled anyone else being camped here.
Accompanying us on site were blackberry bushes and leeches. Damien also thought the were possums about.
Damien
We woke up to a frosty morning with fog over the Mitta Mitta River. When we left camp at 9:30am, the sun was only just starting to reach the bottom of this deep valley.
It didn’t fully warm up until 11:00am when I could take off my gloves and jumper.
There was a lot of uphill (900m vertical), mainly on fire trails (fire tracks in Victorian parlance) until the last 4km of this 14km day. Then it turned off at the highest point of the day and went downhill steeply on a single track that was a bit overgrown, but better than a few recent single trails.
The campsite at Gill Creek was a disappointment. Only enough flat room for one tent in an area infested with blackberries and leeches. We managed to squeeze two tents in a bit uncomfortably, had dinner and settled in for the night.
Day 34: Monday 5/05/2025 Gill Creek Camp – AAWT – Gills Spur Track – Omeo Highway – Mount Wills Historic Area – (Sunnyside Camp) – AAWT – Mount Wills South 1621m – Mount Wills 1750m – Mount Wills Hut
Alpine National Park (Mount Wills Historic Area), VICTORIA
Jaithmathang Country
Max elevation: 1780 m
Total climbing: 1282 m
Total descent: -243 m
Average speed: 3.11 km/h
Total time: 08:19:03
Gills Creek Camp had multiple attractions in the form of a tiny campsite, blackberry bushes, leeches and possums. We managed to pitch both tents by clearing the coals of an old fireplace and overlapping the tent pegging.
Gill Creek Campsite
With a big day ahead, we packed tents wet from condensation and started the very steep first pitch out of Gill Creek at 8:15am. The track itself was clearer than our descent into Gill Creek the previous afternoon. The slope also soon became less steep, but nevertheless, it is a long 500m climb up to Omeo Highway. Heavily forested the whole way, but not too hazardous underfoot. What a difference walking on the paved surface of the Omeo Highway made, luxury!
Finding the turnoff to the AAWT then had me back on partly overgrown track. Ahead, I noted a forestry vehicle with two workers clearing fallen timber from the track. They expected to be clearing between this Sunnyside end and Mount Wills South for three days. They indicated that a mulching machine would be doing more work along the track in a week or two.
Next, Damien and I retrieved our food drop and went through our gear, replacing and adding to our food rations for the next leg of the trip. We also enjoyed a number of treats we had left in the food drop.
After our resupply, we continued along the track, which deteriorated as we proceeded. It wasn’t too far up before we wondered if the forestry workers really did believe that they would get their vehicle up much further than they were.
The very long 700m climb up to Mount Wills South got slower and slower as we gained height. The track was poorly marked, although there were a good number of pink ribbons in trees or on bushes. It was obvious from their often concealed positions that they had been set for walking from the south to north, not so good for SOBO.
Around Mount Wills, South to Mount Wills, the wind strengthened and became cold. The sun was directly head-on, making it difficult to find the track or sight any track markers, and the ground became hazardously uneven.
Approaching dusk, we were very pleased to finally arrive at Mount Wills Hut, where we found a group of three hikers. The first hikers we had encountered since leaving NSW. Our evening was spent swapping tales with these locals from the Gippsland district.
At sunset, we ventured outside into a very strong, cold wind to capture the last light of the day. We caught a delightful sunset.
Forest on route to Mt Wills
Damien
There was a frost in the morning, and we quickly packed and evacuated the hut by 8:30am. The day ahead was going to be a big one.
It seemed like the uphill would never end. The trail was a little bit clearer than prior to Gill Creek.
We devoured lunch at the food drop and repacked everything.
There were quite a few blackberry bushes we had to walk through to get to the mountain top.
The wind was howling, so we were glad there were only three other people in the hut, so we didn’t have to put up tents.
This is a great hut to stay in with two separate rooms, running water and a kitchen sink.
The fireplace is in the middle of the main room, and it has two large windows with views. Sitting close to the top of the mountain, the hut is a good spot to photograph sunsets and sunrises.
Mount Wills Hut 24/5/2018 – 6/5/2025
Amongst other photographically recorded observations during this walk we were able to confirm sightings of each of the following species: Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Brumbies (feral horses), Ring-tailed Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Food Drop 6 Expedition Log Equipment List
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The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, Indigenous history, white history and other nearby walks in the area (Perplexity AI Model)
Landscape Features
The AAWT section between the Benambra–Corryong Road and the Omeo Highway traverses the northern foothills and valleys of the Victorian Alps, primarily within the Alpine National Park. The terrain transitions from the open, grassy flats and forested ridges of the Cobberas–Tingaringy region to the broader, undulating valleys and foothills that lead towards the Omeo Highway. Elevations generally range from 800 m to 1,400 m above sea level. The landscape is characterised by rolling hills, deep gullies, and open river valleys, with the track following waterways such as Limestone Creek and tributaries of the Mitta Mitta and Gibbo Rivers.
The region is shaped by fluvial erosion, resulting in steep-sided valleys, alluvial terraces, and occasional granite outcrops. The area is remote and sparsely populated, with a sense of wilderness enhanced by the absence of major roads and settlements. The track passes through both dense eucalypt forests and open grassy woodlands, with occasional patches of montane rainforest in sheltered gullies.
Geology
The geology of this region is dominated by Palaeozoic granites and metasedimentary rocks of the Lachlan Fold Belt. These rocks have been deeply weathered and eroded, creating a landscape of rounded hills, rocky outcrops, and fertile river valleys. Alluvial deposits along the river valleys support rich soils and diverse vegetation. In some areas, limestone outcrops contribute to the formation of karst features such as caves and sinkholes.
Scenic Highlights
The AAWT through this section offers a series of scenic highlights, including:
• Forested Ridges and Valleys: Dense stands of tall eucalypts and mixed forests, providing habitat for a range of wildlife.
• Open Grassy Flats: Expansive meadows along the river valleys, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
• River Crossings: Multiple crossings of clear, fast-flowing streams, including Limestone Creek and tributaries of the Mitta Mitta and Gibbo Rivers.
• Remote Wilderness: The sense of isolation and natural beauty is a defining feature of this section, with few signs of human activity.
• Historic Huts: Occasional historic huts and stockmen’s shelters, remnants of the region’s pastoral heritage.
Local Flora
The vegetation along this section of the AAWT is diverse, reflecting the varied topography and soil types. Tall mountain ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) and alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) forests dominate the higher slopes, while river flats and lower valleys support open grassy woodlands of yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora) and white box (Eucalyptus albens). The understorey is rich in shrubs such as silver wattle (Acacia dealbata), and a variety of grasses and wildflowers. In sheltered gullies, montane rainforest remnants with myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) and tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) can be found.
Local Fauna
The region supports a rich array of wildlife, adapted to both forested and open environments. Notable species include:
• Mammals: Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), wombat (Vombatus ursinus), and platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the rivers and streams.
• Birds: Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum), wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax), and a variety of parrots and honeyeaters.
• Reptiles and Amphibians: Common skinks (Egernia spp.) and frogs such as the southern brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) in wetlands and streams.
• Invertebrates: Diverse forest and grassland invertebrates, including endemic species adapted to cool, moist conditions.
Indigenous History
The traditional custodians of the land through which the AAWT passes between the Benambra–Corryong Road and the Omeo Highway are the Gunai/Kurnai people. Gunai/Kurnai country encompasses much of the eastern Victorian Alps and the surrounding river valleys. The Gunai/Kurnai have a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land, which provided seasonal resources for food, medicine, and tools. The high country and river valleys were used for summer gatherings, ceremonies, and trade with neighbouring groups. Evidence of Indigenous occupation, such as artefact scatters and stone tools, has been found throughout the region. The Gunai/Kurnai people continue to maintain their cultural heritage and connection to country.
White History
European exploration and settlement of the area began in the mid-19th century, following the expansion of pastoralism from the Monaro plains and the Omeo district. The river valleys and grassy flats were used for grazing cattle and sheep, with stockmen establishing huts and tracks for mustering and droving. The remoteness of the area limited large-scale settlement, and the landscape remains largely undisturbed. In the 20th century, the region became valued for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, leading to the establishment of the Alpine National Park. Today, the area is a major destination for bushwalking, fishing, and nature appreciation.
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