Baw Baw National Park
Spectacular summer wildflower displays and snowy woodlands in winter highlight the changing beauty of Baw Baw National Park. Gnarled Snow Gums and Alpine heaths stretch across the Baw Baw Plateau, while majestic tall forests grow within the surrounding river valleys. Whether shooting the rapids on the Thomson River or skiing a cross country trail, Baw Baw National Park offers a wealth of natural experiences.
Things to see and do
Green Season
- Escape to Mt Baw Baw this Green Season for a well- deserved getaway! Mt Baw Baw has something for everyone. Go for a hike, bike or soak in the Rock Spa Pool, then enjoy breathtaking views and spectacular sunsets. Village Central Restaurant open daily. Big Air Bag plus dry slope skiing and snowboarding runs on selected weekends. The Alpine Bungee Tramp and Village Bikes are also available, along with accommodation for every budget.Summary of Summer Activities
Walking
There are many kilometres of walking tracks traversing pristine sub-alpine plant communities and unique landscapes.
If walking in winter, please do not walk on the trails set aside for skiers at Mount St Gwinear or at the Baw Baw Resort. Foot prints present a real hazard to skiers and can lead to serious accidents.
A track for walkers only starts behind the information board at St Gwinear car park and leads to a viewing platform overlooking the Latrobe Valley. The walk takes about 45 minutes. Please keep to the marked route and do not venture beyond the lookout area.
Beech Gully Track - 400m, 30 minutes return
Starting at the Mount Erica carpark, the Beech Gully Nature Walk provides an excellent introduction to the plants and wildlife of the Mountain Ash forests and cool temperate rainforests of the southern slopes.
Mount St Gwinear Track - 6km, 3 hours return
The walk to the summit of Mount St Gwinear winds through heathland and Snow Gum forest. The magnificent views, stretching across the valleys of the Thomson and Aberfeldy Rivers and into the Victorian Alps, are a perfect reward.
Mushroom Rocks - 3km, 3 hours return
Commencing at the Mount Erica car park, this popular walk along a section of the Australian Alps Walking Track leads to a maze of giant granite tors.
Australian Alps Walking Track - 650km
Beginning in the old gold mining town of Walhalla and ending near Canberra, the 650km trail embraces the best of the Alps. See Australia's highest peaks, snow-capped mountains and plains, cattlemen's huts, tall forests, snow gum woodlands and many historic sites.
Scenic drives
There are some great drives in and around the park. Take a drive along Thompson Dam Access Road for spectacular views of the dam wall. Mount St Gwinear Road up to Mount St Gwinear carpark is another lovely drive through the changing forest.
Roads throughout the area are narrow and winding but offer marvellous scenery with panoramic views. Take care when driving as many of the roads are regularly used by logging trucks.
The road past Walhalla into the Aberfeldy River valley is unsuitable for caravans. Many of the tracks in the Thomson and Aberfeldy Valleys are suitable for 4WD vehicles only. Many roads and tracks are closed during the winter months.
The Mount St Gwinear Road is a declared hazardous road during winter (bus drivers require an appropriate licence). Snow chains must be carried during the declared ski season and fitted when and where directed.
Camping
Dispersed bush camping is permitted on the Baw Baw Plateau. The Plateau is a fuel stove only area, therefore no camp fires are permitted.
The Aberfeldy River campground is accessed via Walhalla or across the dam wall of the Thomson Reservoir. The Eastern Tyers Camping Area is the first overnight stop from Walhalla on the Australian Alps Walking Track. Both have toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces.
Canoeing
The Thomson River is excellent for canoeing and rafting on Grade 3 water. The best river levels depend on water releases from the Thomson Dam. Canoes can be launched at Beardmores Track, Low Saddle Track (4WD only) or at the Narrows. There are no riverside camping facilities in the park.
Fishing
The Thomson and Aberfeldy Rivers are an excellent location to try your luck at fly fishing. Check your Fishing Guide for seasons and regulations and ensure that you hold a current Victorian fishing licence.
Horse riding
Some parts of the park can be explored on horseback. Horses may be ridden on Low Saddle Track (seasonally) and the Old Tramway adjacent to the Thomson Valley Road. Horse riding is not permitted elsewhere in the park. There are also plenty of horse riding opportunities adjacent to the park within State Forest and the Walhalla Historic Area. Horse based camping is not permitted within the park.
History
In 1860, the renowned government botanist, Ferdinand von Mueller made the first recorded ascent of the Baw Baw Plateau. He named the peaks Mount Mueller and Mount Erica, after himself and a flowering plant of the locality respectively. Ferdinand used this expedition to further refine his theories about the relationship between Victorian and Tasmanian vegetation.
In 1906 the Public Works Department constructed a walking track between Warburton and Walhalla. The track gave access to the Beech forests and fern gullies of the upper Yarra, the spectacular Yarra Falls and the Baw Baw Plateau. Opened by the Governor of Victoria, the Yarra Track became one of Victoria's most popular walking routes.
Unfortunately, the Black Friday fires of 1939 burnt the huts and most of the area traversed by the track. The track was never rebuilt, although bushwalkers can follow part of the original route by following the Australian Alps Walking Track between Walhalla and Mount Whitelaw.
White Season
- An easy two and a half hour drive from Melbourne (and for locals , it's only an hour from Latrobe Valley Gippsland). Mt Baw Baw is home to a host of on and off-snow activities to keep you entertained all Winter-long.Our 7 lifts, 30 hectares of terrain, has something to appeal to all - whether you are a snow-bunny or simply want to experience the wonder of an Australian Alpine Resort. The three toboggan parks and Snow-tubing ensure that big and little kids get hours of enjoyment.
Summary of Winter Activities
Mount St Gwinear in winter
Mount St Gwinear is a family friendly snow attraction with free entry, which offers toboggan runs, cross country trails, a snowplay area and a heated shelter room. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available from a food van on weekends and school holidays.
Snow can be expected from late June to mid-September.
The car park is at an altitude of 1280 metres, so weather conditions can be extreme. Warm clothing (preferably woollen), solid footwear and adequate wet weather gear is essential.
Tobogganing
There are two toboggan runs. The hire of toboggans can be made at Parks Victoria's office on site. If you intend to bring your own toboggan, remember that only plastic moulded toboggans are allowed on the runs.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is permitted on the ski trail network. Snow shoes are either BYO or hire from suppliers. There is a short Winter Walking Track leading to a lookout that starts at the St Gwinear carpark and extends approximately 600m (1.2km return).
Cross country skiing
Mount St Gwinear offers access to 12km of cross country skiing trails, with the first Main Trail departing from the Mount St Gwinear car park. There is a loop that visitors can undertake accessing five trails. These trails are called Cascades Trail, Saints Trail, Tullicoutty Trail and Gwinear Trail. There is an access point on the Saints Trail at Phillack Saddle to link onto a cross country ski trail (Tanjil) for those accessing the Baw Baw Resort Alpine Village.
Cost:
Winter Lift and Park Prices
Summer Resort Entry Costs
Access for Dogs:
Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park.
Getting there
Baw Baw National Park is situated approximately 120 kilometres east of Melbourne and 50 kilometres north of the Latrobe Valley. The main access to the plateau is from the Mount Erica and St Gwinear carparks along signposted roads off the Thomson Valley Road, north of Erica. The Baw Baw Alpine Resort which adjoins the park can be reached from the Princes Highway at Drouin by following the Mount Baw Baw Tourist Road.
Location
Mount Baw Baw Tourist Road, Baw Baw Village 3833 Map
✆ (03) 5165 1136
Web Links
→ www.mountbawbaw.com.au
→ Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort on Facebook
→ Victorian Snow Report on Facebook
→ Mt Baw Baw Park on Facebook
→ Mount Baw Baw Walks
→ Baw Baw National Park - Visitor Guide (PDF)
→ Baw Baw National Park - Map (PDF)
→ Baw Baw National Park - Visitor Guide & Mount St Gwinear Winter Guide (PDF)
→ Visit Baw Baw on Facebook
