McMillans Walking Track

Description

McMillans Walking Track is a challenging 210km walk traversing the Victorian Alps from Cobungra (near Omeo) to Woods Point. The track has been divided into six sections with the start and end of each section having two-wheel-drive access. There are 17 topographic maps.

In 1864, Angus McMillan cut a series of walking tracks that linked the goldfields of Gippsland. The track fell into obscurity until 1983 when John Smith and some other volunteers from the Ben Cruachan Walking Club (BCWC) rediscovered the track from Omeo to Woods Point and set about clearing it. BCWC has maintained its interest in the track and are still maintaining it. They also run an end-to-end walk along it every two or three years. McMillans Walking Track is 210km long and is located on the southern side of the alps in eastern Victoria. The walk takes up to 14 days and can be done as through walk carrying all the supplies for the whole trip or it can be arranged to be met by conventional vehicles every 2 or 3 days. With a 4 wheel drive, groups can be met every night except one.

This is an ideal leadup walk to the Australian Alps Walking Track. It has a lot of similarities with some alpine walking, forests, steep climbs and descents. The major difference with the AAWT is there are ten river crossings, seven of which must be waded. The track itself is also varied ranging from vehicle tracks, walking tracks and some untracked sections. Bushfires are a regular event in the alps and after fire regrowth is prolific so some overgrown sections should be expected as it can be some time between track clearings.

This guidebook contains 88 pages, many colour photos, 17 topographic maps, ISBN 978 1 920995 20 1.  First edition 2020.  By John and Monica Chapman and the Ben Cruachan Walking Club.