alpine national park
visit the rooftop of australia
The Alpine National Park is to be seen to be believed, a unique ecosystem at 2,000 metres above sea level unlike anything in the valleys below. Dinner Plain sits proudly at the heart of Victoria's alps where tracks, trails and roads lead in all directions to unforgettable experiences.
Whether it's hiking the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing, touring the Great Alpine Road or sleeping under the stars beside historic cattlemens' huts, the opportunities to explore are endless in Dinner Plain's High Country backyard.
Walks From Dinner Plain
A series of moderate to long distance walks (10km - 30km) lead from Dinner Plain into the Alpine National Park. Many of these are great return-trips whilst others, like the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing, are best tackled as a multi-day single direction hike.
When heading into the National Park, preparation is key. Make sure you are adequately equipped with sufficient water, food, sunscreen and sensible choices in footwear and clothing.
Parks Victoria offer sound advice on preparing for your hike which we recommend reading as part of your hike preparation.
Camp under the stars
The Alpine National Park offers endless opportunities for a camping. From bush camping amongst the gnarled snowgums to mountaintop clearings with endless vistas, it is and experience like no other. All areas of the Alpine National Park are hike-in / hike-out, and you need to be self equipped to carry everything you will need using just your own two feet. Be mindful that you will need water and food, in addition to your tent, clothing, bedding and other supplies.
There are some truly spectacular options within a day's hike from Dinner Plain, none less than the Razorback Ridge trail to Mt Feathertop and the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing. Closer by, JB Plain offers a popular camping location (with provided fire pit and drop toilet) or you can hike a few kms extra to Precipice Plain with its spectacular cliff-top aspect.
The following bush campsites are located near Dinner Plain:
JB Plain - 2km West via Brabralung Trail | Trail Notes
Precipice Plain - 4km South via Dinner Plain Track | Trail Notes
Razorback Ridge & Mt Feathertop - 15km North West via Great Alpine Road (Parking available at Diamantina Hut Trailhead) | Trail Notes
Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing - 13km North West via Great Alpine Road (Parking available at Mt Loch Trailhead) | Trail Notes
Explore the Cattlemen's Huts
Discover the Cattlemen's Huts of Dinner Plain, steeped with history of forgotten years. Dinner Plain shares locality with a number of historic huts, open and available to enrich your stay with the taste of a bygone era.
The Cattlemen's Huts have played an important role in Australia's European history. Throughout the Alpine National Park hundreds of huts once existed, used for cattle graziers, shelters for travellers and refuges for the pioneer skiers. The majority of huts and buildings have long since perished through fire and the wearing elements of weather.
Access to the High Country Huts huts is unrestricted, but visitors are asked not use them as overnight accommodation unless in an emergency. If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to use a High Country Hut for refuge, make sure you leave things clean and secure, with the fireplace fully extinguished.
Nearby Huts
CRB Hut
CRB Hut is located on the northern side of the Great Alpine Road, across from the main entrance to the village. CRB Hut was built between 1923 -1925 and is known to have survived the Black Friday fires in 1939. The hut is protected by a heritage order. This hut is of similar construction to Boggy Creek Hut and was used for Patrolmen.
JB Hut
JB Hut is located on JB Plain, just 2km west of Dinner Plain on the Great Alpine Road.
The hut is believed to have been built in the 1940’s in the Swift Creek area for forestry use and was relocated to JB Plain in the 1970’s by Cobungra Station and Bairnsdale Scout Group. This hut us built with vertical weatherboards, has an iron roof and large stone fireplace. The enclosed front veranda has a wood storage area with a kitchen sink. There are several wooden bunks located in the living area. A water tank and "long" drop toilet are located outside of the hut.
JB Plain is a recognised Parks Victoria camping ground. It is also the starting point for the walking trail to Mt Tabletop and is adjacent to the Mount Hotham to Dinner Pain cross country ski trail.
Boggy Creek Hut
Boggy Creek Hut is another CRB Hut built between 1923 and 1925 and is located 6km along the Great Alpine Road heading towards Omeo. This Hut is identical construction as CBR Hut although has not fared as well as other huts. It has corrugated iron walls and roof which is unlined.
Wire Plain Hut
Mr Billy Howard, a mountain cattleman from the Ovens district built this hut in 1962. Part of the hut was prefabricated and brought in by truck and the back of the hut was built on site to house saddles and a water tank. The living area of this hut is carpeted and the kitchen boosts a four gas stove - quite luxurious by all accounts. A memorial to Bill Howard who dies in 1978 was erected by fellow cattleman 50 metres west of the hut.
Silver Brumby Hut
The Silver Brumby Hut at Hotham was built as a set prop for the movie “The Silver Brumby” in 1993. The hut was rebuilt in 2008. The hut was built by staff from Cobungra Station, using materials salvaged from other huts that had fallen into an unrepairable state. The hut is of slab wall construction, with a gabled iron roof and an external iron clad, pole framed chimney.
