National park · Australia
Alpine National Park
Go for the high plains and the summit walks: drive to Falls Creek or Mount Hotham, walk to a peak before 10:00, and treat the park as free — no entry fee, but you pay for resort gate access in winter and for camping in some spots.Go for the high plains and the summit walks: drive to Falls Creek or Mount Hotham, walk to a peak before 10:00 AM, and treat the park as free — no entry fee, but you pay for resort gate access in winter and for camping in some spots.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,474 km²2,500 sq mi
approximate
Established
1989
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 6,474 km²2,500 sq mi
- Victoria's largest national park; it adjoins Kosciuszko National Park across the NSW border (check current boundary).
- Established
- 1989
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Alpine National Park is Victoria's largest national park, a 6,474 km² band of high country that runs from near Mansfield east to the New South Wales border, where it meets Kosciuszko National Park. It is not one gateway but a chain of them: Falls Creek, Mount Hotham, Dinner Plain, the Bogong High Plains, Mount Buffalo's neighbour country and the remote Cobberas. In summer it is a walking and 4WD park of snow gums, wildflower plains and old cattlemen's huts; in winter the same roads become ski resort access, and much of the park is under snow. There is no park entry fee. What you pay for is resort entry in winter, camping in a few managed sites, and your own fuel — distances between trailheads are long.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of the Australian Alps national parks, managed cooperatively with NSW and the ACT.
Size and age
6,474 km²2,500 sq mi · national park since 1989
Victoria's largest national park; it adjoins Kosciuszko National Park across the NSW border (check current boundary).
Why go
- The Bogong High Plains and the Cobberas give long, quiet walks above the tree line without the crowds of the ski resorts.
- Mount Feathertop and the Razorback ridge are among the best day walks in Victoria, reached from the Harrietville side.
- Historic cattlemen's huts, some more than a century old, sit along the high plains and are open for shelter.
- In summer the plains flower and the brumbies, wombats and bogong moths are part of the picture; in winter it is snow country with resort access.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarm, long days; the main walking month
- FebWarm and settled; wildflowers on the plains
- MarCooler, clear; fewer walkers
- AprCool and quiet; snow can arrive late in the month
- MayCold, wet; tracks close to vehicles in places
- JunSnow season starts; resort entry fees apply
- JulDeep snow; walkers need snow skills and gear
- AugSnow peak; roads need chains
- SepSnow easing; ski season winds down
- OctSnow melting, quiet, changeable weather
- NovWildflowers and clear ridges
- DecWarm; holiday crowds at the resorts
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogong moths (traditional food of the Taungurung and other groups)Nov–Feb · Seen around rock crevices and huts in summer. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Eastern grey kangaroos and wombatsSep–May · Common around campgrounds and plains at dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers on the high plainsNov–Jan · Triggered by snowmelt; best on the Bogong High Plains. | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Brumbies (feral horses)All year · Present in parts of the park; keep well away and never feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Melbourne
Hume Freeway to Wangaratta or Glenrowan, then the Great Alpine Road toward Bright, Harrietville or Mount Hotham.
3.5–4.5 h
Open the page →
From Melbourne to Falls Creek
Hume Freeway, then via Myrtleford and Mount Beauty to the Bogong High Plains Road.
4.5–5 h
From Albury–Wodonga
Great Alpine Road east through Bright and Harrietville to the Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain entrances.
2–3 h
From High Country plan
Where to base, what to drive and how the resorts and towns fit together.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bogong High Plains | Rolling snow-gum plains above Falls Creek, with huts, the Rocky Valley and Pretty Valley areas and long walks. | Open; road access from Mount Beauty in the snow-free months. |
| Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain | The Great Alpine Road corridor, resort village, and the Razorback ridge toward Mount Feathertop. | Open year-round; winter resort entry applies. |
| Cobberas and Nunniong | Remote eastern high country, rough 4WD tracks and few people. | Open; 4WD recommended, no facilities. |
| Wonnangatta and the northern slopes | Deep valleys and river country on the north side, reached from Mansfield and Whitfield. | Open; long gravel drives, seasonal closures. |
Sketch map
- 1Falls Creek village · Town≈-36.864, 147.280Map ↗
- 2Wallace's Hut · Sleep≈-36.900, 147.280Map ↗
- 3Mount Hotham · Town≈-36.977, 147.133Map ↗
- 4Mount Feathertop · Summit≈-36.900, 147.130Map ↗
- 5Mount Bogong · Summit≈-36.730, 147.310Map ↗
- 6Dinner Plain · Village≈-37.020, 147.240Map ↗
- 7Bright · Town≈-36.730, 146.960Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for Alpine National Park itself. |
| Resort entry (Falls Creek / Mount Hotham) in winter | AUD 20–60 | vehicle per day | 2026 estimate; charged by the resort, not the park, and higher for overnight stays (check current rates). |
| Camping at managed sites | AUD 0–30 | night | Many sites are free; some bookable sites charge per night (check). |
| Chains hire (winter, if you do not own them) | AUD 30–60 | day | 2026 estimate; required to be carried in the resorts in snow conditions. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Winter resort entry permit or guide
Camping bookings no permit
Dogs no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Not allowed anywhere in the national park, including in vehicles on park roads.
- Fires
- Only in provided fireplaces, and only outside total fire ban days; bring your own wood.
- Camping
- Camp at designated sites or well away from tracks and water; no camping in the ski resort villages.
- Huts
- Historic huts are for emergency shelter and day use; do not camp inside them.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from Parks Victoria (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Falls Creek
Resort village with lodges, apartments and the main access to the Bogong High Plains.
Near the park
Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain
Ski lodges, hotels and chalets along the Great Alpine Road; Dinner Plain is quieter in summer.
Near the park
Bright and Harrietville
Valley towns with motels, caravan parks and campgrounds, 30–60 min from the alpine trailheads.
In the park
High-plains campgrounds
Basic sites such as those near Pretty Valley and Langford Gap; no power, some with toilets.
Safety
Sudden weather change high
Exposure and hypothermia high
Winter driving medium
Bushfires medium
Remote tracks medium
Accessibility
- Resort villages and the Great Alpine Road lookouts are reachable by car with short, sealed walks.
- The high-plains and summit tracks are rough, steep and often unsealed; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks on the high plains; the alpine vegetation is slow to recover from trampling.
- Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps, and use toilets where provided.
- Do not feed or approach brumbies or other animals; keep your distance and store food securely.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Alpine National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee for the park itself. In winter you pay resort entry to drive into Falls Creek or Mount Hotham, and some managed campgrounds charge a nightly fee; most high-plains camping is free.
What are the best hikes in Alpine National Park?
Mount Feathertop via the Razorback for a long ridge day, the Bogong High Plains loop from Falls Creek for an easier half day, and Mount Bogong via Staircase Spur for the hardest climb. All need weather gear and a map.
When is the best time to visit Alpine National Park?
January to March and October to November for walking, when the high plains are clear and the tracks open. July and August are for snow, with resort entry fees and chains required.
Do I need a pass or permit?
No park pass is needed. Winter resort entry is a separate charge, and camping at some sites can be booked; check Parks Victoria before you go.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs are not allowed anywhere in the national park, including in the car on park roads. Leave them at home or in a kennel.
How do I avoid the crowds?
Walk on weekdays, start before 9:00, and use the Bogong High Plains and Cobberas entrances rather than the resort villages. The resorts are busiest in the winter school holidays and around Christmas.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go