A lot of tracks in the Victorian High Country undergo seasonal closures. Find out some of the ones that remain open. Owing to the geographical, historical and technical variety of the Victorian High Country, we felt it prudent to bring you this in two parts. This is part two.
In the first part of this article, we covered Eldorado to Mount Stanley, Buffalo Range and Buckland Valley, Mansfield to Jamieson via Sheepyard Flat, Jamieson to Woods Point via Mount Terrible, Jamieson to Licola via Son of a Bitch Track, Jackson Crossing & the Snowy River and Licola to Dargo via Billy Goat Bluff. If you missed it, check it out here. Otherwise, welcome to part two where we’ll share some more Victorian High Country tracks that are open year round.
Huggetts Crossing to Briagolong via Moroka Hut
This route is accessible year round, but the warm afternoons around Moroka Hut make it an especially pleasant trip during the spring and summer months.
Start your journey in Heyfield, which boasts a fantastic playground for kids and adults alike. From the town centre, head north along Weir Road, passing the mountain bike park at Blore Hill and the Glenmaggie Weir Reserve, a popular spot for picnics. Turn right onto Lanigan Road, then take the first left after 2km onto Upper Maffra Road, which becomes Horstmans Road. Follow the gravel path of Kentucky Road into the Avon-Mount Hedrick Natural Features and Scenic Reserve.
If you’re in the mood for a side adventure, detour down Green Hill Road, turning left onto Channel Road to explore the Channels. This short walk through a gorge carved by the Avon River is well worth the stop.
Returning to Kentucky Road, make sure to visit Huggetts Lookout before reaching the intersection of the Mount Hedrick Walking Track. Continue down the track to Huggetts Crossing Campground, nestled between Navigation Creek and the Avon River. The river crossing is relatively straightforward, though it can be deeper than it appears in certain spots. On the far side, follow Huggetts Track, which ascends the range on a rough, rocky path that’s overgrown in places.
When you reach Mount Angus Track, turn left and head to its highest point, just before Stans Track. Take in the stunning northward views from here before continuing along Mount Angus Track, which then descends steeply through more dense forest.
At Old Moroka Road, take a left turn and follow the ridge along a narrow track that offers great views through the trees to the west. This track undulates for some time but remains manageable until you hit Moroka Range Track. Turn right here, and in around 1km, you’ll find a side track leading 700m to a small parking area near a swampy creek. From there, follow the winding grassy path through the woods to reach Moroka Hut, nestled in a beautiful grassy clearing. It’s an idyllic spot, and there’s a nearby campsite where you can relax in the meadow on a sunny afternoon.
Moroka Hut
Continuing on Moroka Range Track, be mindful that the track can be wet and boggy in places. It improves as you approach Moroka Road, where you’ll turn right. Follow Moroka Road past Horseyard Flat until you reach Castle Hill Track. If you’re planning to head toward the Billy Goat Bluff Track, continue along Moroka Road. If you’re returning to Briagolong, take Castle Hill Track, then turn right onto the gravel Marathon Road. This road winds through Alpine National Park before reaching the T-intersection at Valencia Creek-Briagolong Road. Turn left, and then take the right turn onto Freestone Creek Road, which will lead you directly into Briagolong.
Things to see and do
Just north of Heyfield, Lake Glenmaggie is a prime fishing destination, with anglers often targeting trout, bass and redfin. While you’re in the area, you can check out the hydroelectric station at the lake’s weir.
For those looking to ride, Blores Hill MTB park offers more than 30km of trails, catering to all skill levels with mainly blue and green cross-country tracks. The area is also popular for deer hunting, and it’s frequented by trail bikers.
If hiking is more your style, the Avon-Mt Hedrick Natural Features and Scenic Reserve offers fantastic walking options, such as The Channels Walk or the trek up to Nicholson Rocks. A longer journey across the Avon River Trail is also a popular choice.
Briagolong is a small but charming town, surrounded by stunning countryside. While you’re in the area, make sure to visit the nearby Briagolong State Forest for a hike or a relaxing picnic. The wider area is also known for its great fishing spots. If you’ve got the time and energy after your adventure, head to the nearby Tarra-Bulga National Park for a day of bushwalking among ancient rainforests.
Moroka Hut is another highlight of this journey. It’s a popular stop for four-wheel drivers and offers a glimpse into the area’s history as a remote alpine outpost. The hut and its surroundings provide a peaceful environment to rest before tackling the remainder of the route.
Campsites along the way
Huggetts Crossing Campground
Moroka Hut Campground
Quarry Reserve Campground
Contacts
Heyfield Wetlands Information Centre or 03 5148 3404
Briagalong Community House or 03 5145 5425
Moe to Walhalla
This adventure is open throughout the year, but for the best conditions — especially river crossings — plan for spring through autumn. The Thomson River can rise quickly, especially during water releases from Thomson Dam. Always check current levels on the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority website before attempting the crossing.
Kicking off your drive from the town centre of Moe, head north up Moore Street and swing left at the roundabout to get onto Moe-Walhalla Road. After about 13km, take a right turn onto Moondarra Reservoir Road. This road leads you to a piece of history — the Moondarra Reservoir. Once the site of the now-submerged goldmining town of Gould, it now holds more than 60,000 megalitres of water, serving the wider Latrobe Valley.
Roughly 5km along, you’ll come across a great picnic spot with facilities. Go a little further (800m) to check out the dam wall lookout. It’s a solid spot for a photo break before heading deeper into the bush.
Cross the spillway and keep following the gravel as it climbs gently through tall forest. After about 5km, turn left onto Tyers-Walhalla Road and follow it for 9km, then turn right onto Coopers Creek Road. While the signage might say ‘No Through Road’ — don’t be deterred. If the gate through Coopers Creek Estate is open, continue straight on. If not, you’ll need to loop back and take the longer route via Walhalla Road and down the other end of Coopers Creek Road.
Just before the Thomson River, you’ll find two fantastic campsites — Coopers Creek Camping Areas One and Two. Set on the banks of the river, they’re popular (sometimes too popular in peak season!) but offer excellent fishing and swimming.
Crossing the Thomson is the crux of this route. It’s a lengthy crossing with an island in the middle, and it can be deceptively deep. If you can’t see the island, it’s probably too dangerous — walk it first to gauge the conditions. The entry and exit points can be rocky and uneven, so take your time picking your line.
Once across, Coopers Creek Track winds up a ridgeline with jaw-dropping views. Turn left onto Bruntons Bridge Road, then another left onto Happy Go Lucky Road, where the trail passes what was once a bustling goldfield in the 1860s — now home to a modern housing development.
Follow the winding track all the way to Walhalla, one of the most charming and atmospheric old mining towns in Victoria.
Things to see and do
Walhalla is steeped in gold rush history. Tucked into the narrow valley of Stringers Creek, it’s one of the best-preserved mining towns in the country. The entire area forms the Walhalla Historic Area, and nearly every building has been restored to match its 19th century appearance.
Originally named after the nearby gold mine, Walhalla took its name from a grand Bavarian monument dedicated to historical figures — suggested by the mine’s manager who’d seen the original during his travels in Europe.
Highlights include Grand Junction Hotel, Walhalla Fire Station, Spetts Cottage & the Walhalla Chronicle and the Historic Walhalla Cemetery.
Take the heritage walk through town or descend into the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, which runs guided tours 260m underground. The Walhalla Goldfields Railway also offers rides along Stringers Creek Gorge — well worth doing if you’re staying overnight.
Walhalla is also the southern start of the Australian Alps Walking Track, a 650km trek to Canberra that attracts serious hikers from across the country.
Back along the drive, Moondarra State Park offers excellent wildflower displays in spring, particularly along Seninis Track.
For paddlers, the Thomson River Canoe Trail is a standout, winding through dramatic canyons and grade 2 rapids — starting at the dam and ending near Rawson. It runs right past Coopers Creek.
Though Walhalla was one of Australia’s richest gold towns for a time, it remained remote — only getting connected to the electricity grid in 1998. This wild isolation is part of what makes it such a memorable place to explore today.
Campsites along the way
Coopers Creek Camping Area
Chinese Gardens Camping Ground
Walhalla North Gardens Campground
Contacts
The Corner Stores - Walhalla or 03 5165 6250
Rawson to Woods Point via Donnelly Creek and Mount Selma
Make sure to top up your fuel in Rawson as there’s no fuel in Woods Point, and it’s a 226km return unless you continue through to Jamieson. These trails are technically open year round, but deep winter makes for tough going and can render some sections treacherous. If this route had a label, it would be something along the lines of, ‘Open all year but best tackled in the drier months from spring through autumn’.
If you’re craving variety, this trek delivers — beginning in Rawson and ending in the historic mountain village of Woods Point, it weaves through relics of gold rush history, epic bush camping and some stellar High Country 4WD tracks. There’s room for both cruisy gravel drives and gnarly sidetracks if you want to push your rig.
Kick off at Rawson’s Alan Croxford Reserve and head north along Thomson Valley Road. As you skirt the deep, forested valley towards the massive wall of Thomson Dam — the main water supply for Melbourne — you’ll be climbing into real wilderness. After crossing the dam wall the bitumen ends, and the dirt adventure begins.
Turn left onto Walhalla Road and continue until you reach Meringtons Track. Head right and drop down to Merington Campground nestled among tall gums. For a side adventure, head left instead, following Junction Track to the rustic Junction Hut and campground tucked into a loop of the Aberfeldy River. Here you’ll get your tyres wet with a couple of shallow and scenic crossings — first the Aberfeldy, then Donnelly Creek — before meeting Donnelly Creek Road.
From here, the journey sticks close to the creek for around 13km. This section is loaded with quality High Country campsites and tracks that veer off either side for a dose of proper four-wheeling. Historic huts, forgotten relics and even a curious sign for an old cricket pitch (now just a mossy forest floor) show just how fast the bush reclaims the past.
You’ll wind past Store Point and Edwards Hill — echoes of the gold rush days — then meet Springs Road, where the track quality improves. Heading north, the road climbs into alpine terrain that’s slowly regenerating from the 2009 fires. Before reaching the 1420m summit of Mount Useful, turn left onto McGuire Track, which drops into the valley through a mix of regenerating and deadfall-strewn forest — take care as fallen branches often clutter the way. Things get trickier past Eaton Track and even more so after turning onto Mount Selma Track.
You’ll cross the early flows of the Aberfeldy River and then climb steeply back out on a dry-weather track that tops out again around 1440m. Once on Mt Selma Road, turn left and join Walhalla Road, then it’s a right turn to reach the small settlement of Matlock. Another right onto Warburton-Woods Point Road leads you through towering forest to Woods Point. For the night, head for Comet Flat Campground — it’s just off Coster Street, near the pub, and sits beside the river in a flat, shaded nook perfect for tents, swags and offroad camper trailers.
Things to see and do
Rawson — a chilled little town with a few caravan parks, a free RV rest stop and even a BMX and skate park. It’s also a solid launch pad for trips into Baw Baw National Park or up to Thomson Dam.
On the way — along this goldfields route, wayside taverns once served thirsty miners on their way to strike it rich. Today, very little remains — save for the lonesome grave of Kitty Cane near the north end of the dam. Legend has it she ran a pub out here until she passed away suddenly, and the half-cut patrons couldn’t get her any further than the forest clearing where she now rests.
Woods Point — this town feels like a time capsule. Weatherboard buildings, rusted fuel pumps and gold mining remnants are scattered in the surrounding hills. Woods Point still has charm in spades. Comet Flat is off-limits for fossicking, but some creeks nearby still allow it — just remember to check the ‘no-go’ zones at Resources Victoria and grab a miner’s right if you’re planning to pan.
Campsites along the way
Junction Campground & Meringtons Campground
Little O’Tooles Campground
Store Point Hut Campground
Comet Flat Campground
Swifts Creek to Buchan via Camp Oven Gap
If you’re looking to explore some of the more remote and rugged stretches of the Victorian High Country, this journey from Swifts Creek to Buchan delivers a perfect mix of scenic drives, technical 4WD tracks and backcountry history. Winding its way through the Nunniong State Forest, this route takes in mountain huts, relics of the logging era and a handful of tucked-away bush camps. Plus, all the tracks on this route are open year round.
Start by heading north out of Swifts Creek on Great Alpine Road. After about 8km, take a right onto the clearly marked Bindi Road. A further 5km in, keep an eye out for Nunniong Road — it comes up fast, and you'll want to swing right onto it. From here, the bitumen fades away, replaced by gravel that cuts through farmland and past an old-school golf course before climbing steeply into the forest. As the altitude rises, so does the colour of the clay — a deeper red — and you’ll even spot palms lining the way near the top.
One must-stop highlight is the Washington Winch, a massive piece of logging machinery that once hauled towering alpine ash and messmate logs from the surrounding slopes. In operation from 1939 to 1961, it’s been partially restored by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and now stands as a unique piece of logging history, tucked away in the forest. And before you ask, this winch is definitely bigger than the winch on your rig!
Continue along Bentleys Plain Road as it drops into wetter forest, alive with tree ferns and mountain ash. Not far ahead is Moscow Villa Hut — a classic High Country structure with a small but excellent campsite nearby. Just down the track is Bentley Plain Campground, also worth considering for an overnight stop.
Moscow Villa Hut (Photo credit: Brendan Batty)
After Bentley Plain, follow signs for Camp Oven Gap Track. This section is where the real offroad fun begins — narrower, more technical and scattered with rocky patches. If you're looking for something a bit spicier, this is where it starts to ramp up.
Push through the scrub and past Surveyors Track to reach Paling Spur, climbing through forest that’s still recovering from fire. Expect steep, rutted climbs and descents that would be sketchy in the wet — caution (and maybe diff locks) advised.
After merging with Watts Creek Track, head left toward Timbarra Bridge Track. The terrain smooths out and you’re rewarded with panoramic forest views and winding tracks that are a joy to drive. Continue to Scorpion Creek Track, which eventually drops steeply via Scorpion Hill Track to the valley floor and Timbarra Road. Heading left leads to prime riverside campsites along the Timbarra River — ideal for a relaxed overnight stay.
Scorpion Creek Track (Photo credit: Brendan Batty)
When you’re ready to roll on, Timbarra Road links up with Bruthen-Buchan Road. Turn left and follow it into Buchan, where you’ll find all the basics plus a great pub and a well-equipped campground near the caves.
Things to see and do
Ride or ramble along the Tambo — for a more relaxed detour, cruise a pushbike along the Swifts Creek East Road and Ensay-Doctors Flat Road, hugging the Tambo River’s curves. Even if you’re not a cyclist, this gentle stretch is worth a walk or drive.
Art & culture — drop into the Great Alpine Gallery in Swifts Creek to check out regional art, photography and handmade crafts.
Hit a few balls — the Tambo Valley Golf Club is an unexpected gem for a mid-trip leg stretch and nine holes with a view.
Washington Winch walkaround — explore the huge old cables and machinery up close. It’s hard to imagine the scale of the logging operation without seeing it in person.
Short walks near Bentley Plain — three peaceful walks branch off from here, being Bentley Plain Walk (2.5km), Douglas Reserve Walk (800m) and Bentley Creek Walk (1.7km).
Fishing spots — cast a line into the Tambo, Timbarra or Snowy River, all well known for trout fishing. Bring your rod or just keep one in the back for when you find the perfect riverbank.
Deer hunting & bush skills — regulated hunting is allowed through much of this region. Make sure you check regulations on the Game Management Authority website .
Buchan Caves — don’t miss Royal Cave and Fairy Cave, part of a vast limestone cave system. Guided tours must be booked in advance via Parks Victoria .
Campsites along the way
Moscow Villa Hut Camping Area
Bentley Plain Campground
Timbarra Central Campground
Timbarra North Campground
Buchan Caves Campground
Contacts
Omeo Region Visitor Information Centre or 03 5159 1679
Parks Victoria - Buchan Caves or 03 5162 1900
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