As the track is over 650kms in length and sections of the Australian Alps Walking Track traverse remote wilderness locations, track conditions are constantly changing. Park staff and volunteers work hard to maintain sections of the track and whilst general current track conditions and status are listed here, it is best to check with each of the Park agencies websites for updates on the most up to date and detailed current status and conditions.

We also rely on people who have recently walked the track, or sections of it, to provide feedback on track conditions. You can do this by submitting feedback below.

It is always best to contact regional visitor centres throughout the Alps prior to your walk to obtain the very latest track status information. Areas of the track are sometimes closed for maintenance, park management operations, or bushfires or other emergencies. Please check the Park agency webpages for alerts and closures.

Track status due to 2019/20 bushfire impacts?

Due to the 2019/20 bushfires that impacted and affected many areas of the Australian Alps national parks including the AAWT we have been getting a few enquiries from those planning upcoming walks as to what it the current status of the AAWT. As at March 2022 all sections of the AAWT that were impacted by bushfire have been re-opened. Some may still be required to be closed at short notice after severe weather events such as storms. This is to ensure public safety while important risk assessment and hazard treatment works are undertaken such as treating hazardous trees, clearing sections of the track and repairing infrastructure. Alternate routes or detours are suggested where possible for  any closed sections.

Please don’t enter closed areas for your own and your groups safety. Walkers, campers and visitors to the Australian Alps National Parks, AAWT and any bushfire affected areas should be aware that there will be residual tree fall and slope/rock instability risks in many of these areas for years to come even after they are officially opened.

Key to minimising these risks is to:

• avoid recently burnt forested areas if at all possible and in particular during any windy or wet weather, when tree/limb fall and slope/rock instability risks are likely to be higher.
• do not stop for any rest breaks or camp within forested areas where tree structural integrity may have been compromised by either recent bushfire or forest die back.
• constantly check and be looking up for any ‘widow makers’, particularly if stopping for a rest break or making camp in any forested area, which is good practice regardless.
• be aware that periods of heavy rain or storms may cause slope/rock instability risks or flash flooding in drainage lines within bushfire affected areas.

Current AAWT Alerts and Closures:

As at March 2022 all bushfire affected area closures that impacted the AAWT route and required inspections and remediation works have been completed.

Other closures:

• The northern Section of Kosciuszko National Park is closed 7am Tuesday 13th June 2023 to 6pm Saturday 24th June 2023 for an aerial pest control operation targeting deer and pigs. Closed areas:  Partial closure Kosciuszko National Park and full closure Scabby Range Nature Reserve. 

The closed areas include:

Scabby Range Nature Reserve – Full closure
Kosciuszko National park – part closure – areas for closure listed below;
Happy Jacks area, Tabletop and Four Mile area, Tolbar area including Swamp Creek, Tantangara Dam and surrounds, Nungar Plain area, Long Plain and Gooandra area, Lone Pine area in including Mt Morgan, Blue Waterholes and Clarke Gorge, Fiery Range and Cooleman Creek Area.

Public road vehicle access and roadside facilities not subject to winter closures will remain open.  Within this program area, the Bicentennial National Trail and Australian Alps Walking Track will remain open for the duration of the program.  Selwyn Ski Resort will not be affected by the proposed program. For more information and further Alerts and Closures information please check the NSW NPWS website: NSW NPWS Alerts and Closures

•  Areas of Namadgi National Park, Murrumbidgee River Corridor, Molonglo River Reserve, Googong Foreshores and Lower Cotter Catchment will be closed from 15 May until 9 June 2023 during vertebrate pest management operations. These areas include National Park Campgrounds, and sections of the Australian Alps Walking track, the Bicentennial National Trail and Centenary Trail. All closed areas will be well-signposted with access gates remaining locked for the duration of the program. For more information please contact the Namadgi Visitors Centre on  6237 5307. More information on Park closures and Alerts for ACT Parks and Conservation Service

• The Poverty Point bridge (otherwise known as the Old Steel Bridge) which crosses the Thomson River just out of Walhalla is closed following an engineering inspection. – There is a detour in place which involves Mormontown Track, crossing the river via the Walhalla Rd bridge and following the Thomson River on the West side to regain the AAWT at the west end of Poverty Point Bridge.

Regardless of any short term or longer term closures there are still  many great options with sections of the track, alternate routes and many areas of the parks open to visit, walk, camp and enjoy. Best to check with each of the Park agencies websites for updates on current conditions:

ACT

Check with Namadgi Visitor Centre (02 6237 5307) beforehand.

Namadgi National Park General Information: ACT P&CS Namadgi NP Webpage

ACT Parks and Conservation Alerts and Closures: ACT Parks and Conservation – Alerts

NSW

General Information: Snowy Region Visitor Centre

NPWS Alerts: Fires, Floods and Park Closures

VIC

General Information: https://parkweb.vic.gov.au/ or phone 131963

Parks Victoria Alerts: Park Changed Conditions and Closures

Further information

The following websites contain up to date information on the AAWT and are good locations for more first hand information on the track.

Australian Alps Walking Track by John Chapman – a detailed page with great information for people wishing to attempt the whole track or sections of it. Access, track notes, suggested maps, food drop info and suggested itiniraries are covered. Additionally, John has published a guide book for the track which is kept up to date with online updates.

Bushwalk.com – A forum covering all aspects of bushwalking, locally and internationally. Relevant sections are the Victoria section and the NSW/ACT section. Searching and monitoring these forums should result in recent reports from walkers who have completed the track. Failing that, post a question and see if anyone can help.

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