Trek Notes - Australia

Eastern Peaks Walk

Graded: MODERATE/CHALLENGING 3 nights camping, 2 nights accommodation Moderate - Moderately Challenging day walks Experience the magic of the High Country. Gaze across at mountainous wilderness, discover wildlife, dramatic landforms and hear of a rich history. The Alpine National Park features picturesque sub-alpine snowgum woodlands, open plains and meadows that support a wonderful array of wildflowers in late spring and early summer.

Experience this remote rugged beauty on a number of day walks from a base camp on a sub-alpine plain, complete with bubbling mountain stream. Wander along tracks lined with picturesque snowgums, admire the spring wildflowers and keep watch for signs of wildlife. Some walks are quite energetic, but you always carry a daypack onlyThe highlight is a full day walk to ascend Mt. Cobberas No 1 at 1838m. Here amongst twisted windswept snowgums, you will enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery and experience solitude and remoteness within the Cobberas Wilderness Area.Day 1 - Mon Melbourne passengers depart Spencer Street Railway Station, Melbourne City at 7.51am for the train journey east to Bairnsdale, arriving at 11.30am. Here you will be met by your tour guide. Joining time in Bairnsdale is 11.30am with lunch together nearby at the township of Bruthen. After lunch travel a picturesque route along the Great Alpine Road which follows the Tambo River. We will enjoy tranquil river scenes and interesting place names retained from stagecoach and goldrush days. Take time to enjoy Omeo’s history, the streetscape and browse through some interesting speciality shops. A short walk (4km return) takes you to the Oriental Claims rich in history from Omeo's goldrush days. Tonight we stay at motel accommodation in Omeo and you will hear how Omeo survived the Alpine Bushfires in 2003. (LD) Setting off through Benambra, our drive takes us off the beaten track and into the Alpine National Park where you begin to notice the prolific fire regrowth. We make our way through splendid sub-alpine environments characterised by snowgum woodlands to Native Dog Flat. These grasslands are home to native orchids and other wildflowers and it is here we set up camp for the next 3 nights. From our campsite, you can see a rugged volcanic outcrop called The Rams Horn, the destination for today's walk. Carry just a light day pack with your lunch, drinks, coat, camera etc... A short drive up the road to the start point for a leisurely 3 hour walk to the Rams Horn. Take in the peaceful bush surrounds and relax at the top enjoying great mountain views including Thursdays destination, Cobberas 1. (6km return walk along a 4WD track with 160m climb and descent. Some rock scrambling at the summit) If you feel like still more walking, you may decide to walk along the road, back to camp.(Optional additional 5km along the road back to Native Dog Flat) In this remote part of the Alpine National Park wildlife sighting are common, especially around dawn and dusk. An evening spotlight walk may be arranged one night to give you an opportunity to meet some of Australia’s nocturnal wildlife. (BLD) Day 3 - Wed Enjoy the delights of camping, lie in your tent and enjoy an array of bird calls or rise and capture the early morning splendour of the High Country. Early risers may have the opportunity of joining your guide in some wildlife research activities targetting a threatened species living in the Cobberas area – The Smoky Mouse. After breakfast, a short drive to Cowombat Track and a walk which takes us to Cowombat Flat a peaceful clearing straddling the headwaters of the mighty Murray River.(Track walk, 22km return, undulating with 150m overall descent and ascent) Here you can stand with one foot on either side of the Murray- one in Victoria, the other in NSW. There is some interesting history to be told before our return walk back to the waiting vehicle. As the day draws to a close we find ourselves back at camp enjoying the serenity of the open flat and nearby mountain streams. Day 4 - Thu An early start with lunch in a light day pack we drive to The Playgrounds, our set off point. First walking is easy along Native Dog Creek. Soon the track becomes more minor and begins to climb, gently at first, before a couple of short steep climbs bring us onto the ridge rising to the summit. The track becomes a mere brumby trail snaking upward between ancient windswept snowgums and our pace is leisurely with lots of stops to appreciate the wildflowers, snowgums and mountain views. Now within the Cobberas Wilderness Area, the dramatic cliffs of Cleft Peak appear to the north and upon reaching the summit of Mt. Cobberas No. 1, you are met by breathtaking views, with fold after fold of mountain ranges stretching in every direction. The peace and solitude of this mountain Wilderness is ample reward for your efforts. On a clear day Mt. Kosciusko can often be seen topped with snow and your guides point out various landforms and points of interest. At 1838m we are almost above the treeline and it is interesting to discuss the Alpine flora and how it has adapted to this harsh environment. After some leisurely exploring, we must leave to return to camp - downhill all the way! A hearty bush dinner and relaxing evening tops off a great day. Day 4 is a moderately challenging, full day walk, total distance approx. 11km return. Mostly walking on a very minor trail, sometimes rocky, with a gain of 500m in altitude and subsequent descent on return. Day 5 - Fri This morning, a leisurely start or rise early to join wildlife research activities again. After breakfast time for a quiet walk near our campsite to take your last photos. Then with camp packed up we travel east to enjoy an energetic walk to Mt Stradbroke. Beginning on an old fire access track, it becomes a mere trail winding through snowgum woodland towards the rocky summit. Emerging onto the summit of Mt Stradbroke, you are greeted by views across the mountains and down into the Suggan Buggan Valley. (10km return walk, partially on a track, partially on a minor trail. Includes rock-hopping and uphill and downhill sections) Returning to the waiting vehicle we travel across the Wulgulmerang plateau to learn of how the 2003 bushfire swept across this country and gain an understanding of the hardships locals had to overcome. Late afternoon arrival at Karoondah Park, Gelantipy for a welcome shower, a home-style country meal and bed for the night in cottage style accommodation. Day 6 - Sat A lazy morning and a hearty breakfast before we depart. Return through Buchan and if time permits a brief stop at the Buchan Caves Reserve. Arrival time in Bairnsdale is around midday (Purchase own lunch today) and Melbourne approx. 4pm. Accommodation 2 nights accommodation, 3 nights camping. Meals B=Breakfast Limited to 10 participants. Note: Three nights camping are in a base-camp situation which saves putting up and pulling down tents every day. I provide easily erected pyramid style tents which allow you to stand up comfortably inside and are Double or Twin-share. All tents can be completely zipped up to keep out the mozzies and any over-friendly crawlies. Fly-wire windows provide ample ventilation. I also provide foam sleeping mats and general camp equipment. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag otherwise I do have a limited number of sleeping bags available for hire at an additional cost of $25.