Bicentennial National Trail

Alpine National Park

Length: 550 kilometres (to NSW border)
Track: Rough
Grade: Steep
Start: Healesville
Finish: NSW Border
Best Time: Late Spring, Autumn

At 5330 kms, stretching from Healesville to Cooktown in far north Queensland, this is the longest trail of its kind in the world. Following historic coach and stock routes and old packhorse trails along much of its length, it’s a journey of dramatic extremes, from tropical rainforests to alpine snowfields, from remote dry plains to rugged mountains and steep gorges.

From the town of Healesville, only 60kms north-east of Melbourne, it’s a ride through a rich and varied landscape, featuring dense forests, deep river valleys, alpine peaks and plains, as well as the sites of old gold towns and pioneer settlements Wonnangatta Valley and Howitt Plains.

Beyond Omeo the trail enters very remote and rugged areas in the north-east part of the Alpine National Park, crossing the Australian Alps Walking Track near the Cobberas, just south of the NSW border.

Riders should be experienced in the use of navigational aids and prepared for sudden adverse weather changes. Some sections of the trail are also suitable for walkers and mountain bike riders.

Note: within the Alpine National Park there are limits on numbers of horses and times of year when riding is permitted. Permits are also required for groups with more than five horses.

Further Information
Parks Victoria
Ph 13 19 63 (within Australia)