Australian Alps Walking Track (SOBO – South Bound)
Section 8 (4 days): Days 38 – 41 to Food Drop 8
9/5/2025 – 12/05/2025 Cope Hut – Selwyn Creek Road
Distance: 42.3km Total Ascent: 2,802m Total Descent: 3,335m
Time: 26 hours Moving Time: 16 hours
Participants: Damien Aggio (Report), Stephen Davies (Report, Photos)
Day 38: Friday 9/05/2025 Cope Hut – Cope Hut Track – Cope Saddle – Bogong High Plains Road (intersection) – AAWT – Wallace Hut Walking Track (intersection) – Cope Creek – Mount Cope 1837m? – Cope Saddle SEC Hut – AAWT – Westons Spur Track (intersection) – Pretty Valley Track? – Pole 333 – Mount Bundara – Mount Jim – Youngs Hut Track (intersection) – Basalt Temple – Cobungra Gap – Cobungra River – Dibbins Hut
Alpine National Park, VICTORIA
Waywurru and Dhudhuroa Country
Max elevation: 1800 m
Total climbing: 236 m
Total descent: -552 m
Average speed: 4.14 km/h
Total time: 05:12:54
Another blue sky morning had us accumulating a little more battery charge as we took our time getting out the door. Our overnight companion, Carl, loved to chat, as do we, so we didn’t depart until after 10:00am.
Our first chore was to reposition our food drop containers, out of sight, ready for my return to collect them after the hike. Once secured, we were underway at a good pace on a very good quality walking track, keen to make up some time for our slow start.
Our first brief stop was to inspect Cope Saddle Hut, a small, electricity company-owned hut, kindly shared with skiers and hikers. From the hut, the AAWT branches off, continuing to head across the very open, nearly treeless, alpine environment of Bogong High Plains, which we had already been on for some time. It was generally very easy on track walking as it is almost flat and mostly obstacle-free.
Approaching Mount Jim, there was a lot of damp ground underfoot and a number of small streams, likely not very reliable as a water source under dry conditions. Past Mount Jim, it was drier underfoot.
The descent off the high plains towards the Cobungra River gradually brought us in amongst trees again. It also provided great views across the deep valley towards Mount Hotham and the ridge of and around Mount Feathertop.
Dibbins Hut
On our 3:30pm arrival at Dibbins Hut, we decided to call it a day, as the prospect of a 500m climb up to Derricks Hut was not that appealing at the time.
Dibbins Hut for me was to produce the most treacherous incident of the entire trip. The sleeping platform can be walked under, but it only has three widely spaced rungs on a vertical ladder for access. Alongside is mounted a smooth, fireman’s style pole. Foolishly, on a descent, without thinking, I grabbed the pole for support. Of course, this pulled me off balance, and I swung around the pole and strongly wrenched my right knee (sketchy at its best) as I swung. This went close to finishing my trip and resulted in several very painful walking days immediately after. Watch out for the Dibbins Hut ladder!
We had no companions within sight for the night, just a clear sky full of stars and a nearly full moon.
Cope Hut
Damien
A beautiful morning started the day as we laid out our sleeping bags and solar panels to get the most of the sunshine. Cope Hut has the best surrounding garden of any hut, with grand old snowgums butted right up to the hut.
We had a lazy start to the walk at 10:30am. The trail was excellent, flat and fast. When Mt Hotham was sighted, we had phone reception on both the Optus and Telstra networks.
The descent was OK down to Dibbins Hut, where there is water, ample tent spaces and a toilet (several hundred metres from the hut). The hut sits in a frost hollow, so the temperature quickly plummeted for a very cold night.
Cope Saddle Hut Logbook 11/9/2023 – 9/5/2025
Dibbins Hut Logbook 22/11/2024 – 10/5/2025
Day 39: Saturday 10/05/2025 Dibbins Hut – Cobungra River – AAWT – Swindlers Spur – Derrick Hut – Spargo’s Access (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – Ridge Run (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – Derrick Col – Tele Treat (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – Machinery Spur Track (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – Mount Hotham Snowmaking Dam (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – Alpine Gateway (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – Great Alpine Road (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – The General (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – Mountain Dreaming (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort)
Alpine National Park, VICTORIA
Waywurru and Dhudhuroa Country
Max elevation: 1819 m
Total climbing: 632 m
Total descent: -245 m
Average speed: 3.71 km/h
Total time: 05:26:13
It was a very cold night in the loft with a steady breeze blowing through a missing board in the barn shutter “window”. This was despite attempts at blocking the gap with my pack, canvas gaiters and a thick plastic bag. The cold air still found its way in.
Relief was in sight as at 8:00am, direct sunlight made contact with the barn. This was utilised to warm and dry some clothing and collect some solar power.
Away at 9:20am under a blue sky with a light, cold breeze, we started our 500m climb of Swindlers Spur, quickly leaving Cobungra River and Dibbins Hut behind. The climb begins steeply on a good track, and after a couple of hundred metres, the climbing begins to decrease in gradient. On gaining elevation, the forest slowly begins to thin out to reveal an almost treeless alpine environment. The views back across the Cobungra River valley were great.
View across Cobungra River
Derrick Hut was then briefly visited, a more modern but much smaller hut than Dibbins Hut. Yesterday, we had initially planned to reach Derrick Hut for the night. We were glad we didn’t, as there is no water there (we had been incorrectly told otherwise!)
Moving on, we were soon on the outskirts of the Mount Hotham ski fields, which took considerable time to get around. After the earlier climbing, the knee I had twisted last night began to get painful as I walked across the uneven, rocky surface. This prompted a change of plan, so instead of walking straight past Mount Hotham, we decided to spend the night.
The two-kilometre walk (nearly a hobble for me) along The Great Alpine Road had us at The General for an overnight stay at Mountain Dreaming. An afternoon of RandR was in order. I was hopeful that the rest would benefit the knees.
View from Machinery Spur Track
Damien
A very frosty morning was had at Dibbins Hut, which sits in the frost hollow of a deep valley.
The sun hit at 8:00am and rapidly warmed up the air.
We picked up water from the creek 30m away (I didn’t bother to treat it) and left at 9:30am to walk up the trail to the next stop at Derrick Hut. The trail was steep but good, and we arrived at Derrick Hut at 11:00am. We were told there was a water tank there, but there wasn’t. Luckily, we had enough water to get us further onto the Mount Hotham Visitors Centre, where there is more water. But it is a lesson on how vulnerable we are on the trail to bad information, and it could have put us in a precarious situation if we had arrived the previous evening to spend the night, which would have been impossible without water.
The brand new visitors centre at Mount Hotham is luxurious with plenty of seating, great views and hot showers, which I made use of.
After having lunch, we booked accommodation online at Mountain Dreaming Apartments in Devonport Village, 2km away and walked down the road to get there. It backs onto The General pub. They had great food and beers as well as excellent views.
The staff were kind enough to lend us a 240V USB adapter, which we used all through the night to charge all our depleted devices.
Derrick Hut Logbook 2/8/2022 – 10/5/2025
Day 40: Sunday 11/05/2025 Mountain Dreaming – Great Alpine Road – Mount Hotham (Mt Hotham Alpine Resort) – Diamantina Hut – Baldy Hollow – Little Mount Baldy 1728 m – Dannys Lookout – Blowhard Hut – Mount Blowhard 1720 m – Mount Little Blowhard – Renes Lookout – Mount Hope – Mount St Bernard 1532 m – Twins Track – AAWT – The Twins 1703 m – Barry Mountains – The Twins Water Tank and Campsite
Alpine National Park, VICTORIA
Waywurru and Dhudhuroa Country
Max elevation: 1829 m
Total climbing: 704 m
Total descent: -851 m
Average speed: 3.60 km/h
Total time: 07:38:10
We had a very restful Mountain Dreaming night, well at least it was after doing some catch-up chores, including our first shower in more than two weeks, a load of washing and lots of eating, etc.
We were back on The Great Alpine Road at 9:20am. This time, with me gingerly placing one foot in front of another, with small steps, in an attempt to minimise the knee pains. We eventually, slowly, walked 11km along the bitumen road, taking in the magnificent views along the way.
At Mount St Bernard, we turned left off the main road and commenced walking along The Twins Track. Not too far along, we found a spot almost out of the breeze where we stopped for lunch. Whilst there, we were passed by three cars. Not the walking experience I was expecting near the start of the Barry Mountains.
With my knees now perhaps feeling a little warmed up and performing more cooperatively, we decided to get off the road to walk over The Twins along the AAWT. I wasn’t too sure how I’d go, but I needed to find out whilst still near civilisation. The approach to The Twins begins with a steep 300m climb up a pretty good, easy-to-follow track. I made it.
View down Wongungarra River Valley
The views from The Twins summits are fabulous. It even had Damien wondering how it might be in winter on skis. He certainly noted a couple of slopes he would love to ski. The descent was not quite as big as the ascent and arrived at a dry campsite. We rejoined the road and proceeded towards The Twins water tank and campsite.
After later realising we had probably walked more than the required distance to our destination, we did a map check. Yes, we had overshot the target, not realising it wasn’t roadside but instead a hundred our so metres away on the AAWT, which runs alongside the road.
Once at the campsite, we needed to refer to our track notes to find the water tank. Instead of being located at the campsite, it is about 120m away and well concealed by the surrounding trees. It is a small, stand-alone water tank with integrated water collection. It looks like a design for helicopter placements. Before the trip, I had tried and failed to locate it with Google Earth. I think the placement is dumb.
The Twins Campsite
Damien
We left our warm, comfy accommodation at 9:00 am after a cappuccino and a bacon and egg sandwich.
We dodged the AAWT and walked along The Great Alpine Road to Mt St Bernard. It took 3.5 hours to cover the 10km. Then we turned left to follow the AAWT. The Twins are an imposing massif that dominates your attention. The highlight of the day was the walk up and over The Twins. This is a must-do as the views are fantastic and the mountain itself is quite picturesque.
After taking two hours to walk over The Twins, a couple of saddles further along, we expected to locate the water tank next to the road. However, it was not there and in fact it was located in quite a random spot in the bush – 110m east of the saddle/campsite where it was erroneously marked on our phone maps. To make matters worse, it was only 2.5m high and blended in with the surroundings. It was a lesson that you must always rely on multiple different sources of information. We ended up consulting John Chapman’s paper book on the AAWT to find the tank.
Day 41: Monday 12/05/2025 The Twins Water Tank and Campsite – Barry Mountains – AAWT – Twins Track – Mt Murray Track South – Wongungarra Track – Mount Murray Campsite – Blowfly Spur Track (intersection) – Mount Murray – Twins Jeep Track – Mount Murray Track North (intersection) – Mt Murray Logging Road (intersection) – Selwyn Creek Road – Selwyn Creek Road “Campsite”
Alpine National Park, VICTORIA
Waywurru and Dhudhuroa Country
Max elevation: 1641 m
Total climbing: 763 m
Total descent: -1161 m
Average speed: 3.26 km/h
Total time: 07:13:22
I was a little hesitant this morning, initially unable to get up due to knee pain. Fortunately, that resolved itself quickly, so I could get on with it. Also, luckily, Damien’s desire to follow the AAWT route along the ridge tops won out, as my lack of confidence with the knee had me thinking I’d walk along the road.
Once underway after 10:00am, we found ourselves walking along a usually discernible track that was often overgrown by shrubs. This roughly 6km section proved to be delightful with brilliant views of deep forest-lined valleys as far as the eye could see in all directions. This is a must-do section.
Upon reaching The Twins Track there is a small, dry campsite. Not much further along the track, we reached the Mount Murray Track South junction, where we stopped for lunch before hiding our packs and walking up to Mount Murray. The views are again vast and very impressive.
View from AAWT beyond The Twins Campsite
Returning to the track junction, we picked up our packs and headed off to complete the last 6km with a 240m climb, along a section of 4WD road. This turned out to be much more challenging than we hoped, as the ridge the track followed had a number of steep descents on loose gravel and rock, and the 240m was all in one very steep uphill section. The low afternoon sun stared us right in the eyes the whole way, hardly helping. I had an engrossing encounter approaching camp when a nearby lyrebird went into song, rapidly singing the tunes of three different bird species.
We were both very pleased to reach our “campsite” at the Selwyn Creek Road junction. Damien found a small flat spot just above the road, whilst I found a grassy spot right next to/on the road. At least there was no traffic around.
The next task was to retrieve the food drops and start reorganising for our next leg of 10 days. All under the gaze of a full moon.
View from Mount Murray Track South
Damien
Luckily, this morning we opted for the seemingly harder route to walk for the day – along the single trail over the spine of the ridges west, rather than the road. It was a fortuitous decision. I highly recommend taking this route in future as the views are magnificent and the bush was not too difficult to push through. We hid our rucksacks in the bush and did the side trip up to the top of Mount Murray. Again, highly recommended.
Once I reached the Selwyn Creek Road, I set up my tent in the saddle and then retrieved our food drop nearby.
Then I walked 700m to the water, which has a reliable flow of clear, good-quality water. We declined the option to camp near this water source as it is quite a damp area with room for only one tent.
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)
Food Drop 8 Expedition Log Equipment List
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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)
A detailed, searchable trip list with links to reports, photo galleries and other content
Information on Parks signage along the way
WALLACES HERITAGE TRAIL
I know the huts around here somewhere …
Unlike most other huts that were built by cattlemen, Cope Hut here was the first purpose built tourist structure on the high plains.
Sited at the head of the valley, with fine views, water on tap and bunks for 8 people, Cope Hut went straight to the top of the high country accommodation list.
With mountain huts, however, the challenge is to find them before you can use them. This can be difficult in good weather and if you are not self sufficient in camping gear – life threatening in bad.
High Country Recreation
The major impetus for the hut came from Robert ‘Wilkie’ Wilkinson of the Ski Club of Victoria and others who successfully lobbied for skier accommodation on the high plains. Cope Hut was built in 1929 with government funds to a Public Works Department Design.
As a result of this careful planning, Cope was a new kind of hut for the Victorian Alps, It provided accommodation for the 10-day Skyline Tours. As a bush experience, it was the real deal: Sleeping out in swags was often necessary, given the limited capacity of the mountain huts.
Welcome to the CHARLES DERRICK MEMORIAL SHELTER
This shelter has been erected by members of the Wangaratta Ski Club to provide emergency refuge for mountain tourers when conditions make further progress inadvisable. Also to provide a day shelter for ski tourers or walkers to boil the billy, have a snack and rest awhile.
It is not intended for overnight accommodation
THE GREAT ALPINE ROAD ALPINE PANORAMA
THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS INCLUDE THE HIGH PEAKS OF MT BOGONG (1986m), MT COBBERAS (1830m).
MT FEATHERTOP (1922m) AND MT HOTHAM (1868m).
Many of the other mountains are, in fact, plateaux or flat eroded plains bounded by steep cliffs or escarpments.
The formation of the alps started more than 500 million years ago when Australia was joined to Antarctica, India, South America, Africa and New Zealand in the supercontinent Gondwana. However, the shape of the mountains you see today were created only about 10,000 years ago.
600-500 MILLION YEARS AGO
Alpine area is part of the sea floor on the edge of Gondwana. Undersea volcanic eruptions form volcanic rocks.
570-400 MILLION YEARS AGO
Much of the highland area still under the sea.
Volcanic rocks, buried under a thick sediment of mud and sand, harden into sandstone, slate and shale – the bedrock of today’s Alps, which form the ridges and valleys of Victoria’s north-east and Gippsland regions.
Earthquakes lift the ocean floor, crush and compress the earth’s crust and bend the sedimentary rocks into new shapes – the first mountain building events in eastern Victoria.
390 MILLION YEARS AGO
The earth’s crust shifts to create a range of mountains across Victoria’s north east, which were higher and steeper than the mountains of today.
A depression forms on their southern side, from Mansfield to Bairnsdale.
290-250 MILLION YEARS AGO
Australia was still joined to Antarctica with most of its southern section covered by a vast ice sheet.
90 MILLION YEARS AGO
Mountain plateaux and the shape of highlands established through further uplift and erosion.
80 MILLION YEARS AGO
Gondwana starts to break up, but Antarctica and Australia still joined
50 MILLION YEARS AGO
Australia breaks away from Antarctica and drifts north.
37-24 MILLION YEARS AGO
Volcanoes erupt and lava pours down river valleys to form lava sheets.
Eroded remains are the ridges and high plains seen today.
10,000 YEARS AGO
The last of the ice ages.
Running and dripping water erode the mountains into the current rounded shapes and gorges. Rivers carve into lines of weakness and breakage in the earth’s crust, a process of erosion which continues to this day.
THE GREAT ALPINE ROAD – VICTORIA’S SKI INDUSTRY
UNTIL THE END OF WORLD WAR 1, SNOW WAS SOMETHING ONLY OF SCENIC BEAUTY and frolic for the few, hardy visitors who travelled to Victoria’s north-east.
The first concept of skiing involved a set of wooden planks, on which guests would launch themselves down the slopes at Mt Buffalo in a kind of horseplay. Following World War 1, in response to the new vogue for alpine recreation, the Mt Buffalo Chalet introduced skis from Norway. They were an immediate success with guests.
People took to the slopes of Mts Buffalo, Buller and Hotham in increasing numbers, but early skiing enthusiasts had to be resourceful. Equipment was mostly home made and it was difficult even to reach the base of a skiable mountain. The journey from Harrietville to Mt Hotham took 8 hours with a packhorse.
In 1924 the Ski Club of Victoria was formed and in 1926 its members made the first snow crossing of the High Plains. Serious skiing on the High Plains had started in the early 1920s, but navigating without snow poles to mark the trails was treacherous. During the early years, several skiers were overtaken by alpine blizzard conditions and perished.
The first accommodation on the mountain, the Hotham Heights, was built as a shelter hut for road construction workers in 1925. Rebuilt on a larger scale after the 1939 bushfires, it became a magnet for early skiers and formed the beginning of today’s Mt Hotham ski village.
The Falls Creek Resort owes its existence to a group of employees on the Kiewa Hydro Electric scheme. The first lodge was built in the early 1940s, but major commercial development of the area didn’t occur until the 1960s.
Dinner Plain is an architecturally inspired village built during the late 1980s on Australia’s highest freehold land. Its building style reflects the timber, galvanised iron and stone construction of early cattlemen’s huts.
It’s a popular base for cross-country skiing.
At 1864m, Mt Hotham is the highest alpine village in Victoria. It offers beginner to advanced slopes for downhill skiing and challenging terrain for cross-country skiers.
Blowhard Hut 1670m
Hold or your Hat!
Hold onto your hat if you get out of your vehicle at this location! If the wind blows your cap down on the south side of the Divide, it will end up in the Dargo River, thence down the Mitchell River and into the Gippsland Lakes. If your beanie blows northward it will end up in the Ovens River, down to the Murray and end up in South Australia!
The Blowhard hut (whose iron cladding is well fastened is an evolution of an earlier CRB hut first erected in the 1920s under the recommendation of the then CRB superintendent Bill Spargo.
The first hut was destroyed by the 1939 bushfires.
The replacement has seen many adaptations over the years by various authorities. It is largely used nowadays as a stopping point for summer travellers along the Great Alpine Road, offering great views across the Ovens Valley or down into the head of the Upper Dargo River goldfield.
Immediately to the west of the hut was once a well-travelled spur used by the Dargo miners from the 1860s. The Morning Star Spur was named after a quartz reef that was discovered in 1865. The mine had a significant camp and a steam-driven battery. The mine, however, proved to be a failure with its speculators
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 between Cope Hut and Selwyn Creek Road traverses a substantial portion of the Bogong High Plains within the Alpine National Park, Victoria. The terrain is characterised by expansive alpine meadows, gently undulating snowgrass plains, and scattered snow gum woodlands. Elevations along this section typically range from 1,650 m at Cope Hut to approximately 1,400 m near Selwyn Creek Road, with the route descending gradually towards the river valleys of the Kiewa River catchment.
The landscape is shaped by glacial and periglacial processes, resulting in broad, open valleys, moraines, and occasional granite tors. The area is intersected by numerous clear mountain streams, including the headwaters of the Kiewa River and its tributaries. The high plains are renowned for their panoramic vistas and the sense of remoteness, with few tracks and limited human infrastructure.
Geology
The geology of this region is dominated by Palaeozoic granitic rocks of the Lachlan Fold Belt, with some areas featuring metasedimentary sequences. The high plains have been sculpted by repeated glaciation during the Pleistocene, leaving behind moraines, cirques, and glacial lakes. Alluvial deposits and fertile soils are found in the valleys, supporting rich vegetation. The presence of granite outcrops and boulder fields is a distinctive feature of the higher elevations.
Scenic Highlights
Scenic highlights along this section of the AAWT include:
• Bogong High Plains: Expansive grassy plains and snow gum woodlands, offering unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains.
• Rocky Outcrops and Tors: Granite tors and rocky summits provide vantage points for panoramic views across the Victorian Alps.
• Historic Huts: Iconic huts such as Cope Hut and Tawonga Huts are significant heritage sites and popular rest stops for walkers.
• Alpine Meadows: In summer, the high plains are adorned with wildflowers and provide habitat for a range of wildlife.
• Mountain Streams: Clear, fast-flowing streams and small glacial lakes add to the scenic diversity of the landscape.
Local Flora
The vegetation is highly varied, reflecting changes in altitude and aspect:
• Snow Gum Woodlands: Eucalyptus pauciflora dominates the subalpine zone, often with a dense understorey of shrubs and grasses.
• Alpine Grasslands: Snowgrass (Poa spp.) and wildflowers such as alpine daisies (Celmisia spp.) and everlasting daisies (Xerochrysum spp.) are common on the high plains.
• Montane Forests: At lower elevations, mountain ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) and alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) forests are found in sheltered valleys.
• Heathlands: In exposed areas, heath species and low-growing shrubs are prevalent.
Local Fauna
The region supports a rich and diverse fauna, adapted to both alpine and forested environments:
• Mammals: Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), wombat (Vombatus ursinus), and the endangered mountain pygmy possum (Burramys parvus) in rock screes.
• Birds: Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax), gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum), superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), and a variety of honeyeaters and parrots.
• Reptiles and Amphibians: Alpine water skink (Eulamprus kosciuskoi) and the endangered corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) in wetlands and bogs.
• Invertebrates: Diverse alpine and forest invertebrates, including endemic species adapted to cold, windy conditions.
Indigenous History
The traditional custodians of the land through which the AAWT passes in this region are the Taungurung people, whose country encompasses the northern slopes of the Victorian Alps and the upper reaches of the Goulburn and Kiewa River catchments. The high plains and valleys were important seasonal gathering places for Indigenous peoples, who travelled to the area in summer to feast on Bogong moths (Agrotis infusa), a rich source of protein. The landscape holds deep spiritual and cultural significance, with evidence of occupation including artefact scatters, stone tools, and ceremonial sites. The Taungurung 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, with pastoralists and graziers moving into the high country in search of summer grazing for cattle and sheep. The construction of huts such as Cope Hut and Tawonga Huts reflects the pastoral heritage of the region. These huts provided shelter for stockmen and travellers and are now important heritage sites. The area was also used for gold prospecting and, later, for scientific research and recreation. In the 20th century, the establishment of the Alpine National Park and the development of ski resorts transformed the region into a major destination for bushwalking, skiing, and nature-based tourism.
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