Australian Alps Walking Track Access

[chris94]

Hi everybody!

I'm looking at leading (for the first time, this is exciting!) a hike from the Buenba Hut area to Dead Horse Gap with a group of about 7 in late May/June. I've been hiking for years now, and am quite experienced, but this is a project for uni and I'm excited to lead a group properly on my own! My question is about access in both these areas - Is there any? Can I get in? Can i get out? Will I have to drive/do car drops? I want to keep costs as low as possible, so not really keen on hiring a private shuttle, but just wanted to know what others who have done this section of the walk have done.

If you can help me out, with whatever you have that would be great!

Cheers,
Chris.

[Mark F]

I can't comment on Buenba Creek - I just passed through on foot, but you need to think carefully about Thredbo (Dead Horse Gap). Park entry fees are $16 per day up to the June Long Weekend (start of the ski season) and then $27 a day after that. You would be best to leave a car(s) in Jindabyne and hitch down there from Thredbo. One or two may be able to access the school bus but a party of 7 is most probably a bit big. You may also be able to hire a shuttle to make this trip.

[Lophophaps]

There could be an early snow fall, making walking and/or driving hard and perhaps impossible.

[north-north-west]

Buenba is easy access although the last bit of the road can be a bit roughish - usually 2WD able unless you're unlucky enough to have a tree go down since the last 4WDer was through - which has never happened to me yet.

From Benambra, take the Limestone/Black Mountain Rd (which means turning east at the crossroads at the southern end of the town, catty-corner to the pub), follow that road, ignoring all the turn offs, until you reach the Buenba Gap Rd turnoff, which is on the left at the top of a hill where the road curves to the right. Then follow that road (gravel) until you reach the signposted Mt Hope Logging Rd junction. Keep to the left. Buenba Creek Flats are on the left near the bridge, the main camping area is on the right - not much in the way of facilities, but a lovely area.

I think Chapman explains access to Buenba in the AAWT book, but wouldn't swear to it.

ps: there ain't no hut at Buenba Flats. Long gone. But it's good camping.

[sepa]

Not sure if this helps, but I did the AAWT Kosciuszko to Hotham last November, travelling one-way by public transport. A lot of tricky connections and It takes a couple of days, but it was fun. So, you could travel from Thredbo to Omeo by public transport, but you'd have to work out transport/car shuttle from Omeo to Buenba Creek (I just parked at Hotham). Might not be worth the effort for you, but the following is from my notes. Check links for reverse times, though I walked north-south because connections were better that way.

Hotham to Omeo: M, W, F only, bus dep Hotham Heights 2:25 pm arr Omeo 3:20, http://www.omeobus.com.au, $5.40
Omeo to Bairnsdale: Dysons Buslines - contact 51521711 or 0418 576251, Depart service station opposite Golden Age 6.30 am M & F (arr 8:35) or 8 am (Tu, W, Th & M-F School hols) arr Bairnsdale Station 10:30, ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/1440
Bairnsdale to Cooma: Canberra bus dep Bairnsdale station 11:15 am, Mon & Thu (Sat school hols only) arr Centennial Park/Bombala St Cooma 4:10 pm, http://www.vline.com.au, bookings online, $38.80
Cooma to Jindabyne: http://www.snowliner.com.au, school bus dep around 6.30 arr 7.15 (must ring (02) 6452 1584 to arrange) also have afternoon buses. $15
Jindabyne to Thredbo: Wally (http://www.snowlinkshuttle.com.au, (02) 6456 1591) does the morning and afternoon school bus runs and can pick up 7.30 arr 8 am. $20