Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Masterplan approved

The 57-kilometre Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing will be a world-class alpine walking experience that captures the essence of the Australian Alps – the solitude, the seasons, the breathtaking beauty and the stories of Victoria’s High Country.

McGregor Coxall worked with Parks Victoria, Tourism North East, Visit Victoria and Regional Development Victoria to develop the Masterplan which encourages broader visitation whilst balancing conservation, recreation and economic objectives. The plan proposes a five-day four-night mid-distance hiking experience through the unique and captivating alpine environment, from Falls Creek to Mount Hotham.

The Masterplan encapsulates unique alpine and subalpine terrain, proposing immersive storylines of culture and environment through sensitively designed new infrastructure. These layered storylines weave their way through a varied landscape of high plains, river valleys, ridgelines and mountain peaks.

In order to maximise experiences for a diverse array of walkers – including individual adventure-seekers, small self-guided groups, larger educational groups and guided tours – a suite of improvements and additional infrastructure will be developed to the highest standards of sustainable planning, design and management.

Upgrades will consist of a higher track quality to enable improved engagement with the surrounds, rest stops to fully appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the High Country, heritage interpretation to articulate the many cultural and natural narratives embedded in the Landscape and a choice of well-designed, low-impact accommodation options.

The plan is underpinned by the following four principles:

• An exceptional experience to strengthen the positioning of Victoria and the North East as a vibrant nature-based destination
• Advocacy and stewardship for the natural ecology and cultural values of the Victorian Alps, protected through the use of best-practice design, planning, management and interpretation
• A Sustainable Management Model through public and private partnerships that establish new infrastructure, products and services
• Benefits for the region and state, promoting ‘Healthy Parks, Healthy People’ by increasing interest and opportunities for a broader number of visitors

Parks Victoria’s recent endorsement of the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Masterplan coincides with a further $2 million funding from the Ovens Murray Regional Partnership to develop a business case for trail infrastructure and accommodation: budget.vic.gov.au/program_project/ovens-murray

Quote from Christina Borchert, Project Director:

“The development of the trail will provide a major icon that strengthens the state’s role as a premium provider of nature-based tourism in Australia. The project also invites opportunities for Traditional Owners to engage with the business case and secure their role as custodians of the land for future generations.”

Project facts:

• 7777 new walkers per year on the trail, providing better infrastructure for education and health
• Extended tourism opportunities and seasonal activities for alpine resorts and towns. Local businesses and tour operators to supplement the walk with experience-based products and services
• Public investment of $34 million. Uplift in visitor spend to $23.4 million p.a. by 2027 (on trail and off trail through additional accommodation and recreation)
• Creation of 80 direct full-time jobs in construction sector. Creation of 128 indirect jobs in construction and supply sector (99 of which would be regional)
• Creation of 130 ongoing full-time jobs in the tourism services sector. Increased demand for accommodation, hospitality, food and local produce

mcgregorcoxall.com