Mt Baw Baw plateau bushwalks

see also:

• best overnight bushwalks in Victoria
• bushwalks in Victoria's alpine region
• https://mountbawbaw.com.au/things-to-do/bushwalking
• http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/baw-baw-national-park
• Parkweb National Park guide (pdf)

• Mt Baw Baw is a snow resort, the summit is 1564m
• 120km east of Melbourne via Noojee either via Yarra Junction and Powelltown (takes 2hrs from Lilydale to Baw Baw) or from the south from Drouin
• Baw Baw, Walhalla and Mt Erica, Mt St Gwinear are accessible from the south from Moe on the Gippsland hway but the South Face Rd to Baw Baw is unsealed for 25km
  • the historic gold mining village of Walhalla is the southern start of the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) and initially follows the old tramway and to the Walhalla Tramway Bridge before heading north to Mt Erica and Mushroom Rocks then onwards to just east of Mt Baw Baw alpine resort
  • road past Walhalla into the Aberfeldy River valley camping ground is unsuitable for caravans and most are closed over winter
• Getting there by car (pdf)
• dispersed bush camping is permitted on the Baw Baw Plateau
• snow can be expected from late June to mid September and diamond patterned snow chains are required to be carried

• prickly shrubs are a nuisance in this region - tall gaiters are strongly advised
• there are some deep muddy swampy and overgrown areas to cross between Phillack Saddle and Mt Erica on the AAWT - you are going to get wet, muddy here!
• walks are available from 3 main road access points:
  • http://mountbawbaw.com.au/Mt Baw Baw alpine resort (there is usually a per day car charge)
    • walk across the Baw Baw Plateau to AAWT, and a little further east to Mt St Gwinear (12km hard 6hr return)
      • http://www.fedwalks.org.au/files/Walk_Descriptions/Walk_5_Mt_St_Gwinear_to_Mt_Baw_Baw_-_July_Final.pdf
    • walk to Mushroom Rocks (medium, 16km 8hrs?)
      • can be hard on hot days with a heavy pack as there are a few ascents and you may need 3-4L per person
      • https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g255098-d1234771-r155011478-Great_Walhalla_Alpine_Trail-Victoria.html
      • the walk from Mt Baw Baw to Walhalla along the AAWT is 43km and mainly downhill past Mt Erica
        • http://www.greatwalhallaalpinetrail.com/
        • http://trulyaustralia.com/walking/vWalhallaAlpineTrail.htm
  • Mount Erica car park
    • Beech Gully Track (400m 30min return)
    • Mushroom Rocks camp area (3km, 2hrs return)
      • maze of giant granite tors on the AAWT
      • http://www.bushwalkingblog.com.au/mushroom-rocks-baw-baw-national-park-rawson-victoria-2/
  • Mount St Gwinear Car Park which is at 1280m and 3hrs from Melbourne via Erica
    • St Gwinear Track (6km, 3hrs return)
      • heathland and Snow Gum forest with great views